[True Self]: Makeup & Self Esteem (Includes Poll Results)

"Do you feel beautiful without makeup?" was a question that I posed to you, the readers, last week. According to the results, 66% of you said "Of course!," 25% said "Somewhat, I can make it work," and 8% said that they "Never leave home without it."

Makeup is something that is used for manifold (I love that word) reasons. It is used "to color and beautify the face," to cover up zits and scars, to create illusions and to just have fun with (it is definitely fun to play grown-up "dress-up" from time to time). As great of an invention as makeup is, should it be used as a security blanket? At which point does makeup use become a mask to hide behind, which is ultimately detrimental to one's self esteem?

Who is to blame for this phenomenon? I'm sure it is the perennial scapegoat - the media - yet again. You always see those "Celebrities Without Makeup" pictures plastered on tabloids. God forbid someone left their house without makeup. The media has persuaded women all over the world that we NEED makeup to validate our self image, instead of just want it to create fun looks or enhance natural beauty. I'm sure companies like Estee Lauder don't mind that you have low self esteem....

Aishwarya Rai with and without makeup. I think she looks nice without it, but the media always makes a huge fuss!

I will bet money that every single human being on this earth had a problem with self esteem at some point in their lives. Nobody is THAT arrogant (sometimes, it is even those seemingly arrogant individuals who have the worst issues).Yet, throughout all of the struggles with self-image, many people have that one thing that they do that makes them feel better. It could be a hobby, playing a sport, retail therapy or going to real therapy. Is putting on makeup equivalent to all of those things? Should it be?

Personally, I love makeup. However, I think that those of us out there who sincerely do not feel pretty (inside or outside) without makeup need to unhand the eyeshadow - even just for a day - and sit down and think about what qualities really make a person beautiful. If you sit down and write the qualities that you see in those who you think are beautiful, I'm sure that you will have jotted down something besides how they look on the outside. Trust me. You are beautiful. You have to see it too, or nobody else will. They won't be seeing the real you, but only a painted on facade.

Actually, I think that regardless of anything, every single last person who reads this should sit down for 5 minutes and write this list. Include characteristics about yourself that you find beautiful. When you've finished, you can use the list as a daily affirmation or to boost your spirits on "one of those days."

Some of my list is as follows (prepare for random stream of consciousness):

eyes, heart, kindness, giving, caring, goal oriented, smile, curves, laugh, voice, honesty, talent, jokes, intelligence, unique soul, poetic, joyous, dedicated, spontaneity.... What is on your list?

This list will be a reminder of who the REAL you truly is.

Besides this little exercise, here are some helpful tips to help boost your self-esteem in general or on a "fat"/"ugly"/"bad hair"/"horrible, terrible, no good, very bad" day:

• Get enough sleep, eat healthily, get regular exercise, take good care of yourself hygienically, etc.
  
• Plan a "Me, Myself & I" night in or out! Go to a movie, take a nap, get your nails done, plant a tree, buy a poodle, learn to meditate-whatever you love to do!
  
• Remind yourself of your strengths & achievements by making a list of things you like about yourself (We already did this).
  
• Forgive when you don't meet all of your goals. We are truly our own worst critic! Go easy on yourself sometimes, especially when you already feel down.


• If all else fails, fake it 'til you make it! When you treat yourself like you deserve to feel good about yourself, you'll begin to believe it!
  

I really hope this helps! I know I'll be referring back to this myself when I feel down (tee hee)

Source: http://www.utexas.edu/student/cmhc/booklets/selfesteem/selfest.html