Painted Truths

How Make-up conjures the true self

Customs

Dyeing the face is an ancient custom. In addition to beautification as skin decoration, there have always been other functions associated with this special color. As war paint, it was intended to deter others and strengthen one's own courage. It was a ritual fertility cult as a signal of seduction and readiness for conception. It could be used to show belonging to a specific ethnic or religious group - and to distinguish oneself from others accordingly. What is the meaning of make-up today?

Today, make-up is often part of women's normal everyday life, their grooming and personal style. What women want to signal can be very different: In addition to the erotic signal - which is probably the first thing that comes to mind for many - many women also want to radiate more self-confidence. From concealing and covering up small flaws, to highlighting individual areas such as lips or eyes, to complete transformation for a performance, a whole range is still possible.

Tamed Nature

But the most important thing: women who wear make-up don't feel like themselves at all without make-up. They don't feel "complete" without it, almost as if they're not fully dressed. Unmade-up - as nature created them, in front of the mirror in the morning after getting up - these women are strangers to themselves. They only experience themselves as "natural" - in the sense of corresponding to their nature - when they have finished their morning make-up ritual. In this respect, women always say that they like to look "natural", but have a harmonized and flattering image of nature in mind.

Between the ideal of beauty and self-determination

How much color, mascara or lipstick is right for me or the situation? From what point do I feel painted - what is too little to cover up the cruelties of nature? When weighing up between too much and too little make-up, it is always also a question of common ideals of beauty. With make-up, women try on the one hand to live up to these ideals and, on the other hand, not to be dominated by them. The balancing act is to find your personal style within the existing ideals. In other words: women follow ideals and are often aware of the latest trends in make-up. At the same time, they always "rebel" against social norms and remain true to themselves in central points. This can mean that the eyeliner is always drawn in the same way or that a certain lipstick color is essential.

Between ideals of beauty and personal style, there is ultimately the painted truth - the "natural, authentic" me.

You can find further publications at news&publikationen