The biggest threat to feminism comes in a one-ounce bottle. Oily skin, clogged pores, itchy eyes: is this really women at their best? 

The revolution: a quick history

First, let’s take a look at where we are in the feminist movement…

The release of Greta Gerwig’s latest movie, Barbie, was the latest breakthrough in the feminist movement. America Ferrera’s speech encapsulated the struggles of being a woman and acted as a call to action.

In addition, social media accounts promoting authentic women are becoming more and more prevalent. @emsrecovers is an account that follows the journey of a woman recovering from an eating disorder. @elizabethkayeturner is an account that shows a woman’s unfiltered skin, with and without makeup. 

Accounts like these along with the Barbie movie are revolutionizing how women are represented in the media. Now, more than ever, women are being presented in an authentic way, imperfections and all. As a result, women finally feel seen as more than just objects.

Now, more than ever, women are respected.

All of this is just peachy, but there are some conflicts that women still need to confront–things that are an assumed part of being a woman. 

The image of the perfect woman persists. Models with waists so fragile you could break them like twigs, 60-year-old female celebrities with botox injections and multiple rounds of plastic surgery: this isn’t what women truly look like. 

Of all the products that alter women’s appearance, makeup is the most prevalent around West Ottawa. 

Makeup can be seen as a pro for the feminist movement, allowing women to present themselves as they want. On the flip side, makeup can be seen as another social tool that assists in the persistence of the image of the perfect woman. 

The great debate rages, and is coming to a climax:

Makeup or no makeup?

“I think I appreciate my natural skin more now because I’ve learned to love myself and not be judged by others,” West Ottawa 2022 Alumni Zoebelle Bean said. 

In high school, Bean struggled with her image and desperately tried to cover her hormonal acne with thick makeup. Since moving to college, she’s realized that it takes too much time to put on a full face of makeup. She noticed, too, that while using less makeup may mean people will see her acne sometimes, it keeps her skin healthier in the long run and prevents bigger breakouts.

“In high school I used to fear other people’s judgment, but in college I’ve learned that there are other ways people can like or dislike you based on things besides your physical image. I think I want my worth determined by those things over my physical appearance,” Bean said.

Other women don’t use makeup to cover imperfections, but rather to enhance what’s already there. They see it as a form of art and therapy.

“Personally it’s therapeutic for me to do makeup, and I feel like I can transform myself into whatever I like. I am also able to do fun looks that are different from normal everyday makeup, and it’s fun to be able to customize and pick what I want to put on my face,” Sr. Becks Crespi said.

Crespi thinks of makeup the same way as she thinks of jewelry, as something to complement her look. She finds that people often don’t take into consideration the artistry of makeup, and the importance of it to the artist.

Still other women have had a journey with makeup—one that taught the importance of balance.

“I feel like at one point it was a habit like brushing my teeth; however, I now do it for aesthetic purposes, like when I feel like it. I also learned the importance of feeling confident in my own skin and have focused more on skincare, so I can have a healthy base for my makeup. That means taking breaks from time to time with makeup,” Sr. Grace Cronkright said. 

Cronkright’s favorite influencer is Spencer Barbosa, whose Instagram account has post upon post of her unfiltered body, natural creases and all. She shows her face both with and without makeup, and without shame.

All in all, these women are trying to say what the world should accept: women should be free to do what they want with their bodies, regardless of what society tells them to do.

Balance is the lesson behind the revolution. Maybe completely getting rid of makeup isn’t the answer for every woman, especially those who view makeup as a form of therapy or self-expression. 

…not a “no makeup revolution”, but rather a “self-acceptance revolution”.