Makeup Insecurity and SelfEsteem

Without a question, people gravitate towards those who are more physically attractive. Whether they are perceived as being more intelligent or not, this is besides the point. What counts in our society, sadly, is that those who are pretty consistently win out in higher paying jobs, being in the front office instead of the back office and usually marry the better catches, money wise at least.

At the same time, another truth is evident: many pretty women do not perceive themselves as being such. More, in fact, than we care to admit. Many women consider themselves less attractive than others, and this reflects many times in their outlook in life, their sense of self-worth , their accomplishments and their life choices.

In a 2008 study undertaken by the Dove Self-Esteem Fund, girls ages eight to 17 were studied, and the findings indicated that 62 percent felt insecure. Moreover, 71 percent of girls feeling insecure felt that their appearance did not measure up to what should be the norm.

Insecurity Is Not Territorial

Found within every culture is the innate desire to look more acceptable to others. Having a preconceived standard and method for women, and men, to change or enhance their appearance is vitally important.

Be it in the outbacks of Australia or the cobblestone pavements of Paris, people need to find some balance in feeling and appearing more appealing.

Cosmetic Marketing and Culpability

Today, the world we live in fills a woman's day with bombardments from television, magazine and online ads telling women that they weren't created good-looking enough, in essence, "Woman, you need help and a lot of it!"

In one study of 3,200 women, ages 18 to 64, it was found that over 68 percent of the women said they needed makeup to feel more physically attractive.

Whether it comes to women in jars, bottles, line-smoothing foundations, lip-plumping lipsticks or mascaras, the message remains the same: "You'll never look your best or feel your best unless you buy our product."

Softening A Hard Sell

Fortunately, not every woman accepts the suggestion that she needs makeup to look and feel better. Depending on the inner perception of herself and her self-worth, having good looks may or may not even phase her one bit.

However, the cosmetic industry is relentless in its drive of persuading women to buy the products. Advertising campaigns revolving around more "natural" makeup or cosmetics with benefits that are real and tangible, never cease to leave the office suites of Madison Avenue.

As of late, the case as to whether there's plenty of reasons to use mineral cosmetics is being made. In one aspect at least, mineral makeup is better due to there being a lack of certain chemical ingredients found in other makeup preparations.

When All Is Said And Done

Be is as it is, makeup or no makeup, the underlying denominator in insecurity is some kind of fear. If the need for makeup evolves into a compulsive behavior, such as not being able to leave one's room without one's lipstick, then this may be an early indication of a body dysmorphic disorder.

In other words, as the Mayo Clinic defines it: "A type of chronic mental illness in which you can’t stop thinking about a flaw with your appearance, a flaw that is either minor or that you imagine.”

That being said, chronic mental illness or not, makeup is an enhancer that may or not be needed by different women. While many women could benefit from using it on their skin, what drives a woman inside is the perception she will have of herself, and then in turn project that perception to others.

#attitude
#mind
#self_esteem
#psychology
#confidence
#self_image
#self_care
#self_improvement
#lifestyle

%selfavenue