Makeup

I was driving in my car and stopped at a light the other morning. It's funny how everyone in their car is in their own little world. Sometime I think we all forget that it is glass around us instead of solid walls. I know that I have been caught singing along to a song I love on the radio, checking out the pimple on the side of my cheek that just popped up, or even clipping my nails. Not all of these things are bad per se, but they aren't exactly activities that I think about people watching me do. And yet sitting in my car I will do them because I'm in my own little bubble.

As I was peering around at all the other drivers on their way to work or wherever I noticed the lady in the car behind me. She was sitting their with her visor down and was going what could only be described as a ritual of applying her makeup. I watched, much like a voyeur, interested to see how intense she was with the application. I'm sure that there was a difference as she covered each part of her face with the makeup but there was no noticeable difference to me. She was so intent on covering it all and it didn't seem to look any different. What is the point of this ritual. Why is there the need to put on the makeup just to look like you aren't wearing any makeup.

For that matter why is it accepted that women should or can wear makeup where it is greatly discouraged for guys. Are guys not supposed to look flawless? Are we supposed to have the nick and blemishes to show that we are manly? Please don't get me wrong. I have no desire to be covered up with makeup like a mask but I am curious how these makeup rules came into being.

Thinking about it over the past couple of days I've come to have more questions than not. I have to wonder why we need to make ourselves appear flawless to people rather than celebrate our imperfections. I think everyone finds some way to distract from flaws whether it be through makeup, or the gym, or facial hair, or clothes. And again I wonder why it is that this practice of makeup is one that men are not made to partake in. Why do we expect women to wear the makeup. Is it just ingrained by society? Do women do it to feel pretty? And if that's the case do they know that they are still pretty without it?

Who is it that makes up the strange rules in society that we all follow?