On make-up and other things

Can't believe it's the last week of camp...well, for me at least. I'm leaving camp this weekend, and so not looking forward to saying goodbye to so many people who changed my life, especially when it's probably forever. Then I have a couple days at home (literally) to pack everything up so I can move into my dorm in Neibuhr on Wednesday for RA training.

Yeah yeah, growing up and moving on hurts, sookie sookie la la...but that wasn't the point of this post. No, I came here today to talk to you about a ridiculous obsession among the female population: make-up. Sure, I'll admit, I've been wearing it in moderation almost every day for the past few years. My daily routine usually consists of foundation, mascara, and occasionally eyeshadow (maybe even eyeliner-if you see me wearing eyeliner, you know I mean business). However, I've put this daily routine on hold this summer, since I've been working at a camp where time is tight and nobody really cares what you look like, since (most) people aren't trying to impress anyone. I don't blowdry or straighten my hair either, I usually just through it back in a ponytail or messy bun and add a headband, so my hair's out of my face. Not caring what I look like too much really cuts back on my morning routine, so I can sleep in (well, sorta...)

So since it's the last week of camp, I've been thinking: when I go back to school, will I start wearing make-up again? Or should I keep up the natural look? Then I came up with several reasons why I shouldn't wear make-up (at least every day):

A) It's expensive. Especially if you're like me and insist on wearing Clinique, because it is better and different and way less flaky than the drugstore brands. But seriously, even though I don't wear a ton of make-up regularly, I still spend a good amount of money (which is not a necessity) when I could be using that money for more necessary things, either in my life or in others. I bet if I took all the money that I would be spending on make-up in a year and donated to charity, it could be put to so much better use. Maybe it could save someone's life.

B) Its effects are questionable. Most girls wear make-up to attract boys (I know this isn't the only reason make-up is worn, but it's a major one). However, I've been told by several guy friends that they prefer natural beauty to made-up beauty.

C) It hides who you really are. Personally, I would rather someone fall in love with who I really am, flaws and all. I wouldn't want to constantly be hiding my flaws from the ones I love-I've learned from experience that it's better to accept and embrace your flaws than to pretend they don't exist. This includes facial flaws. After all, if someone can't stand being with you because you have acne or your eyes aren't defined enough or your lips aren't dark enough, do you really want to be friends with them?

In general, I'm trying to live a simpler life, and not wearing make-up everyday will be a small step towards that goal. I'll keep make-up around to wear for concerts, plays, and other performances (because those are exceptions-onstage the lights and the distance can wash out a pale blonde like me, and your facials are SOOOO important!). Maybe I'll still wear it for very special occasions, we'll see.

That's all I got for now. Time to go to bed, another day at Lord of Life tomorrow! My team's awesome this week; for our staff night we went to Goodwill and bought ridiculous outfits, then went bowling in them! I went as a beautiful fairy princess =) and whenever anyone asked "So what's up with the costumes?" my response was "What costumes?"