I was told this by a former HR representative at a corporate office that I worked at. I don’t wear make up. I don’t like taking the time to put it on or take it off and it’s not comfortable for me. Besides, I kind of think my face is fine the way it is (most the time). I shouldn’t need make up to prove that I have mad computer skills, good interpersonal skills, and can alphabetize things like a champ. Not wearing make up is one way that I’m true to myself. It’s part of how I keep my self esteem. It’s giving me permission, in a very symbolic way, to not wear masks and to just be me. Plain, normal, every day, me. Men don’t have to wear make up to be taken seriously, so why should a woman? In part, it’s because women are objectified and expected to fit a certain image. Men suffer a little bit from it, too, but can typically get away with decent grooming habits and their own professional merit. I’m not saying that women shouldn’t wear make up, I’m just saying I don’t think we should have to.
So I didn’t and still don’t wear make up. I didn’t want to be taken seriously anyways, my job was way too serious. I wanted to wear jelly bracelets, cute skirts, and help people run their businesses better. I was good at it and being me is part of what made me so good at it. I was friendly, personable, and understanding. I knew where people were coming from and where they needed to be and I knew how to help them get there. Eyeliner wasn’t going to help me do that.
I don’t work in a corporate office anymore, so I guess I don’t need to worry about being taken seriously. If we meet, I’ll probably be wearing jelly bracelets, a cute skirt, and no make up. 😉
