Post by WT on Jun 26, 2011 17:14:10 GMT -5
On the alteration front.
I don't wear makeup. However, I don't avoid wearing it because it confuses me, or because I want to be a NONCONFORMIST ZOMG, or because the makeup industry is mean and evil and scary and THEY'RE GONNA KILL US ALL. (I agree that modern media plays a large roll in distorting how people see themselves and others, and that it's a problem, but that's a different point entirely. Everyone digitally modifies their people nowadays. People who sell green beans modify their models. But the point of makeup is to make people pretty, so I don't see why it's a problem to have a makeup company put out a commercial that shows makeup... you know, making someone prettier. Duh?) I don't wear makeup because I like how my face looks, and I think it's stupid to put time and effort into something that makes other people like how my face looks. I don't always think I'm beautiful, but I look like me, and I'd rather continue to look like me.
(For the record, since posting came up, I code for myself as well. ^^ Blockquoting is popular, but I don't like it, so unless I want to use justify, I never hit that blockquote button. Most people find left-aligned paragraphs easier to read, but I think centering looks cool, so I align to the center. And size=1 is genuinely easier for me to read.)
It's not that I don't care what other people think, because I do. Very much. But while I'm willing to take other people's opinions into account (I'll be more inclined to buy a shirt if my friends think it looks cute, even if it's not the most comfortable thing I've ever worn), I'm not willing to let other people rule what I see in the mirror every day. As has been said, we have to see ourselves and judge ourselves, and I'd put up with someone else's eye-roll than my own self-loathing.
Mind you, that doesn't necessarily for everything. I wash and brush my hair not just because I like my hair when it's soft and shiny (although I do), but also because in my experience people pay more attention to bad hair more than to good hair. Thus, if I want someone to pay more attention to what I'm saying than to the top of my head, I'll make my hair look nice so that they aren't distracting themselves with mentally trashing my hair. And of course, for an interview or a formal occasion I'll dress nicely and put extra effort into my hair- and maybe, maybe, if I think the occasion is important enough, I'll permit a dab of makeup. Not enough to change how I look, but perhaps enough to emphasize my eyes or something like that. But that's not because I think I need it to be beautiful; it's because I want to show respect for the event and/or I seriously think that it's the only way I'm going to get something I need (be it a job, or whatever).
So basically, my point is this. I agree with Cinder that everyone should have the right to modify their appearance as they chose (provided they don't bathe themselves in the blood of the kittens they kill, or starve themselves until their heart fails and they die, or something like that o.o) without other people seeing it as a tragedy. However, I don't think they should feel like they must do so. In my view, those modifications should be done for that person, either because it makes them like themselves more or because it benefits them in some other way. Plastic surgery because you're so ashamed of your ears that you won't go out without a hat, and you happen to have the money to spare? Sure. Plastic surgery because your boyfriend says your ears are too big, even though they're your favorite feature? If he likes you, he can accept that you have a slightly different concept of beauty. Fancy clothing because you like how you look in it? Absolutely. Fancy clothing because it helps you get a job? Of course. Fancy clothing because someone on the street or in your class might look down their nose at you because you happen to like jeans? Just... why bother? You can't please everyone, so there's not a ton of point in trying. =P
There's more I want to say on the subject of beauty in general, rather than alteration, but I think this is more than enough typing for now. xD For now, just put Dee and Lalia together and you've got me.
I don't wear makeup. However, I don't avoid wearing it because it confuses me, or because I want to be a NONCONFORMIST ZOMG, or because the makeup industry is mean and evil and scary and THEY'RE GONNA KILL US ALL. (I agree that modern media plays a large roll in distorting how people see themselves and others, and that it's a problem, but that's a different point entirely. Everyone digitally modifies their people nowadays. People who sell green beans modify their models. But the point of makeup is to make people pretty, so I don't see why it's a problem to have a makeup company put out a commercial that shows makeup... you know, making someone prettier. Duh?) I don't wear makeup because I like how my face looks, and I think it's stupid to put time and effort into something that makes other people like how my face looks. I don't always think I'm beautiful, but I look like me, and I'd rather continue to look like me.
(For the record, since posting came up, I code for myself as well. ^^ Blockquoting is popular, but I don't like it, so unless I want to use justify, I never hit that blockquote button. Most people find left-aligned paragraphs easier to read, but I think centering looks cool, so I align to the center. And size=1 is genuinely easier for me to read.)
It's not that I don't care what other people think, because I do. Very much. But while I'm willing to take other people's opinions into account (I'll be more inclined to buy a shirt if my friends think it looks cute, even if it's not the most comfortable thing I've ever worn), I'm not willing to let other people rule what I see in the mirror every day. As has been said, we have to see ourselves and judge ourselves, and I'd put up with someone else's eye-roll than my own self-loathing.
Mind you, that doesn't necessarily for everything. I wash and brush my hair not just because I like my hair when it's soft and shiny (although I do), but also because in my experience people pay more attention to bad hair more than to good hair. Thus, if I want someone to pay more attention to what I'm saying than to the top of my head, I'll make my hair look nice so that they aren't distracting themselves with mentally trashing my hair. And of course, for an interview or a formal occasion I'll dress nicely and put extra effort into my hair- and maybe, maybe, if I think the occasion is important enough, I'll permit a dab of makeup. Not enough to change how I look, but perhaps enough to emphasize my eyes or something like that. But that's not because I think I need it to be beautiful; it's because I want to show respect for the event and/or I seriously think that it's the only way I'm going to get something I need (be it a job, or whatever).
So basically, my point is this. I agree with Cinder that everyone should have the right to modify their appearance as they chose (provided they don't bathe themselves in the blood of the kittens they kill, or starve themselves until their heart fails and they die, or something like that o.o) without other people seeing it as a tragedy. However, I don't think they should feel like they must do so. In my view, those modifications should be done for that person, either because it makes them like themselves more or because it benefits them in some other way. Plastic surgery because you're so ashamed of your ears that you won't go out without a hat, and you happen to have the money to spare? Sure. Plastic surgery because your boyfriend says your ears are too big, even though they're your favorite feature? If he likes you, he can accept that you have a slightly different concept of beauty. Fancy clothing because you like how you look in it? Absolutely. Fancy clothing because it helps you get a job? Of course. Fancy clothing because someone on the street or in your class might look down their nose at you because you happen to like jeans? Just... why bother? You can't please everyone, so there's not a ton of point in trying. =P
There's more I want to say on the subject of beauty in general, rather than alteration, but I think this is more than enough typing for now. xD For now, just put Dee and Lalia together and you've got me.
I can totally do that. I think it would be appropriate to state my background, though. I'm basically biracial - Dad's white and Mom's Japanese-American - that has lived in an area where I can see my dad's family more than my mom's. Hers have all concentrated in a bordering state; but, even then, I can't see them often.
). Not to say this is bad, but I think it's influenced my preferences.
