What makes you feel beautiful? Does it even matter?

Ok, so my acne has been clearing up and I've stopped wearing face makeup, except a bit under my eyes to cover up my purple circles (thanks genetics!)
I'm really finding out who the superficial people are in this world, given my job dealing directly with people all day. Though some otherwise friendly customers have lost the ability to meet my eyes as of late, like they think something's wrong with me. It's not like I'm dirty or retarded suddenly- I'm also still wearing eyeliner and mascara. it's really amazing how we're all geared towards this idea of beauty and if one doesn't live up to it, then there must be something wrong with the,. Kudos to the people who treat me the same, especially the ones who seem to smile brighter towards me now that I'm not wearing makeup. Screw the ones who belittle me and act like I'm some crazy person now. Whatever, soon my skin will be completely clear and I won't have to deal with this bs.
Stupid society. I wouldn't have the courage to do this, btw, if it wasn't for my amazing boyfriend who loves me for me!

It's sad to realize that there are so many shallow people in the world, people who judge us or make us feel inferior because of something about our appearance.

One great way to counteract this is to know that there are SO many other people who are NOT like this---who see past the surface---who value a person's character and heart and mind----THAT is something that has gotten me through many many moments of almost hating who I was.

The nice people are usually the quiet ones, the ones who go about their business and carry on as normal. They far outnumber the small-mindeds. Cling to what the thinking crowd thinks of you!

(((hugs)))

Oh---and what makes me feel beautiful? Knowing who I am, 360 degrees of me. Knowing what I have overcome and what I have survived. And, spending time with people who value me for ME.

It's a rough spot we're in, and it's confusing. If you wear no makeup- you're unkempt. If you wear too much makeup- you're a *****. Men can't wear makeup, women have to wear makeup, etc. It's marketing- it's all it is. No one gains anything from giving you a hard time for your skin...except the makeup companies. Don't get me wrong, I love makeup, but it's a calming art form for myself. And we should look to it as such, not something you NEED to do.
Way to do what's right for you, AngstyLady. Break the cycle and love yourself for who you are, not what you wear on yourself.
And what makes me feel beautiful- unfortunately, nothing.

As MuseumGhost said, there are plenty of people out there that could care less if you have a pimple or whatnot. They're most interested in who you are, not what you are (an important distinction).

In answer to the question though, I'm not attractive or beautiful and I get no feedback to the contrary so I guess it doesn't matter.

For the most part, only my T. makes me feel beautiful.

I don't want to feel beautiful. Never did. Hate the kind of attention it gets other people.

I never wore any make-up until about a year ago, and then only to experiment and play around with colors (I like colors). I don't bother to "put on my face" when I go out of the house every... ummm, week? (maybe even rarer), but I don't judge the women who do, either. I'm just sad that some feel pressured by society to do it whether they feel like it or not.

Honestly, I never really felt the need to feel pretty or beautiful. If I'm praised for my work or something witty or intelligent I said, I feel tons better than if someone says "My, your hair looks good today!" or "Where'd you get those killer shoes?"

You are right. Screw those who belittle you or think less of you, judge you because of your looks. Let your inner beauty shine and I guarantee those naysayers will want to know what you have... They will draw closer to you with a healthy self-confidence about yourself.

I'm feeling a bit better, I think perhaps I'm not good at reading people? I think it's just a shock- and more than anything, people are more inclined to think I'm depressed/unhappy more than anything else. Which I guess you could say is sorta true- I'm not exactly happy where I am in life, but I actually feel very happy in general, not wearing any face makeup is so freeing!

~ On a side note, Almeera, I totally get what you're saying- I didn't actually start wearing makeup until my senior year of high school, and then it was only a bit of mascara- I had my own 'crash course' in college with a friend of mine who lived in the same dorm(actually I did experiment with eye shadow my freshmen year a bit, come to think of it). I thought it was all fun at first, until you get hooked on it and then you get pimples and you feel the need to cover them up and the vicious cycle starts . . . Well, I'm breaking free of all that ish!

A great haircut makes me feel beautiful. I'll go out without makeup (don't care too much what people see), but I love how I look with it on. For me, I'd rather look good to ME than anyone else. Of course, however, I'm my own worst critic. Lol

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It seems as I have aged, my preferences for fabrics, scents, and delight have changed. I have been a t-shirt and jeans woman for a very long while. I like the feeling of comfort this "style" gives me. Make up for me was minimal at best in younger years. Thankfully, I do not have to "dress up" anymore, what a release!!!!
It seems the women that I know are pretty much in agreement with whatever is working for each person.
Great post
Jade

I'm female and I've never really liked make up...and don't really wear any ever. My brother on the other hand loves it. So yeah I guess some people think its weird I don't wear any, and some people think its weird a guy would wear make up. The way I see it if people like it they should wear it and if not they shouldn't...I think it is pretty shallow to judge someone on if they wear make up or not.

I even have leg hair a lot of times oh so terrible when people don't conform to social norms...regardless of whether not conforming actually harms anyone.

Sad world we live in where no makeup= plague like response. I wear makeup without fail because I know people expect others to groom themselves and be `smart' I feel better to be honest doing so like Ive dressed my body and makeup dresses my face. I dont do it for attention just to enhance and neaten. I personally dont give a badgers bottom if other women wear makeup or not. I dont think badly if they dont I dont think more of them if they do. Makeup can sometimes mean insecurity and no makeup an sometimes mean alot of self confidence. People are the problem, not your choosing to be barefaced.

If your acne is a pain try oats in warm water as a serum. Modern cleansing products called `miscellar water' are amazing for all skin types and 100% mineral powders are truly fabulous. NO TALC! check ingredients! Theres a brand called Prestige I think you can get it US...the best I ever used, beats Jane Iredale and Bare Essentials hands down

Feeling happy makes me feel beautiful makeup or not

Funny how putting on make up would be considered part of grooming ones self....since as far as I know it can make pimples and such more likely by clogging pores and stuff.

Not to mention the worst thing to do with a pimple is cover it up with cover up...since that just makes it worse even if people can't see it for a while. Yet I hear of people doing this all the time. I personally don't think having a pimple means I need to put a bag over my head in shame to go out in public, but it seems lots of people do see it that way.

Confidence is beauty to me. I just wear mascara/ curl my eyelashes because I wear it to impress myself, not others. Even without make up I still get compliments on occasion.

New clothes always make me excited! I feel so fresh in a nice pair of pants and a nice shirt!

I wish my acne would clear up. I'm almost 31 years old and I still have it. I wear face makeup every day because of it. As far as feeling beautiful, I like doing my eyes up nice and wearing lipstick, and a nice outfit, especially if it's a dress or a skirt.