Like I said before, I have only just started wearing a bit more than chapstick. And the reason I am wearing more makeup now is that I have found stuff i like and I like to look nice. I always make it a point to make sure I have some lipstick on before a meeting/ presentation etc. So I am wearing for my own confidence really. Unfortunately my hubby rarely notices things like that – but of course the plus side is that he never bothers about me looking a hot mess either

Did the word feminity trigger off the musings on femisim up above? I don’t really necessarily equate the two. I am sure old fashioned hardcore feminists who protested against beauty contests etc would hate the idea. But I’d like to think that we can do what WE like – not what someone else thinks.

Also a lot of guys seem to be equating “lots of makeup” to young girls wanting to look good for the boys etc. I never did that – and from the comments of other ladies here, it seems like they didn’t either. Most ladies do it because THEY like to look nice – and of course the bloom doesn’t look quite so fresh anymore after a certain age

Lastly – khoofi – props to the Canadian girls for their hairyness. I know loads of people that get heart attacks when they see bodily hair (hardly any indians though).

I’m so glad that you said that, Cindy.

I think the feminist movement should not be used to pigeon-hole women into thinking or acting in a certain way, because that defeats the whole point of having a feminist movement in the first place. It was supposed to bring women freedom to do and not do what they wanted. So I have no problem with women using cosmetics if they want to.

Ok, fair enough, I just get sick of people generalizing all these negative traits onto the desi community when I haven’t personally experienced things like that, because I’ve seen that it only serves to justify other people’s negative perceptions of us.

How does the Feminist movement view makeup and cosmetic enhancement of physical attributes? Does it consider it an empowering process or acts of conformity to masculine norms of beauty and femininity?

My response to this is honestly, “Who cares?” I don’t mean it in a disrespectful way, I really just think that women should be left alone to try to improve their looks and be women if they want to, without having to worry about whether they’re setting womankind back or not (especially if they admit to gasp wanting a man). Yeah it can be a big advantage if you’re a hot woman, it can also be a big disadvantage if you’re an ugly girl. Life’s not fair. As for social norms of beauty and femininity, while some things are culturally based, most measures of beauty (namely youth) are rooted in biology.

For those who are asking why women spend so much time and money on make-up … well, let’s be honest, appearance matters for everyone in society. Pretty people have the upper hand in most situations. Especially women who are seeking male mates, since men place so much emphasis on beauty in a mate

How does the Feminist movement view makeup and cosmetic enhancement of physical attributes? Does it consider it an empowering process or acts of conformity to masculine norms of beauty and femininity?

blockquote>For those who are asking why women spend so much time and money on make-up … well, let’s be honest, appearance matters for everyone in society. Pretty people have the upper hand in most situations. Especially women who are seeking male mates, since men place so much emphasis on beauty in a mate

How does the Feminist movement view makeup and cosmetic enhancement of physical attributes? Does it consider it an empowering process or acts of conformity to masculine norms of beauty and femininity?

As for this, Cindy:

I think whoever said it upthread exaggerated too self-righteously when they talked about how desis don’t like to use products catered towards blacks. I don’t know anyone like that,

I take exception to that characterization. I was neither exaggerating about that pathetic situation nor was I being self-righteous when I related what I (sadly) know to be true. I’m glad you don’t know anyone “like that”. I wish I didn’t.