kula:

i think women definitely ought to get pats on the back for not wearing makeup, so long as it does not come at anyone else’s expense. if women can cultivate an avenue for themselves where makeup is celebrated, then i do not see a reason why a celebration of the decision not to is derided. while misogyny affects all women regardless of their appearance or attractiveness, and women will be scrutinized regardless of how they look, the decision or desire not to conform in some way to social notions of femininity is the more scrutinized option among women (and butch/stud lesbians can tell you all about it). research shows that women who do not wear makeup in a way that highlights cues of femininity are more likely to be seen as less mentally competent, they are less likely to obtain employment, they may be less likely to receive callbacks for job interviews, and they are less likely to receive the same wages as women who are deemed conventionally attractive, among other things. even the mainstream feminist movement in the united states largely saw gender nonconformity among women as untrustworthy, repulsive, and threatening. the sentiment still exists today, and it ought to be interrogated. women who do not embody or exude femininity deserve to feel as human as anyone else, and yes, i do think they need a back pat or two so they feel their embodiment is not the pathology that it is so often portrayed as by our society at large. 🙂