Ok Women, how brave are you?
And Men, where do you draw the line?
Women:
Consider this…
Would you leave the house without donning even the tiniest bit of make-up if…
…you were just going to the corner convenience store to pick-up a late-night carton of milk for the morning cereal?
…you were driving your kids to school and would be dropping them at the curb and heading straight back home?
…you were doing your weekly grocery shopping?
…you were going to the dentist or doctor?
…you were going to work?
…you were going out for a romantic dinner with your mate?
…you were going to the theatre (live theatre, not the movies)?
How brave are you?
And is it bravery or is it confidence?
…or is it self-worth?
Men:
What would your reaction be to seeing your partner without make-up, out in the real world in the given situations above?
And how would you feel if she dressed ‘comfortably’, not sloppy, but in fitted (yet not snug) clothing which did not bare her shoulders or legs and she wore comfortable shoes in which she could walk long distances?
Now, how would you feel if a female co-worker was make-up free and comfortably dressed?
Would you take her more seriously or less so when she spoke to you?
Gender Gap
I have often wondered why women spend so much money on products to conceal, even-out, enhance, disguise and brighten various areas of their faces not to mention the time it takes to sculpt and paint the daily facade while men enjoy the wash-and-go life.
Women do not think men are less handsome because their cheeks aren’t rosy, their skin colour isn’t even and their lips aren’t a particular shade of red.
In fact, quite often we find you men extremely handsome and we feel the need to adorn ourselves more in the hope of getting your attention.
And why in the rest of the natural world are the males the flamboyant ones with vibrant colours and showy displays to attract the female?
I wonder what would happen if women stopped wearing make-up.
I recently read an article by Lauren Shields describing her “modesty experiment” where she challenged the westernized ideal of beauty. For nine months, she lived entirely without make-up, revealing clothes and uncomfortable shoes. (Sounds rather freeing, doesn’t it?)
She examined the philosophy of various religion’s reasons for modest dressing and was surprised by what she found in both her research and her experience.
Does a year of living modestly appeal to you? How far would/could you take it? And what would you expect to learn or gain from the experience?
Share your thoughts below.
Embracing Pollyanna 