How Make-Up can be Empowering

http://www.buzzfeed.com/micaela/how-makeup-can-actually-be-empowering

I stumbled upon this article on Buzzfeed, and it reminded me a lot about our conversations in class concerning how fixated our society is on "beauty" and society's definition of which traits are seen as beautiful. I really liked this article because I found things very realistic about it, yet obviously some problematic components as well. As the article shows, Melanie Murphy has been struggling with acne for several decades, which lowered her self-esteem, so she began to wear make-up in order to hide her acne and her scars. As someone who suffered with acne when I was younger, I completely understand her desire to wear make-up to hide her acne, especially if it helps boost her confidence. Like Murphy, I continue to wear make-up because I do like highlighting specific facial features or, I guess, "dressing up" when I go out with my friends. The issue I have, and continue to have, however, is that make-up can be necessary to fit the "beauty" mold that society outlines for us. Murphy wears make-up to hide her acne, but our society has a clear definition that having acne is an unattractive physical attribute, yet a number of people suffer from it. Where do you guys stand on the make-up debate? Is it good or bad to wear or does it depend on the reasons that surround them?