I recently watched and shared two Buzzfeed videos.
In one video women go without makeup for a week and in the other video women go bald for a day. Both videos challenge what our society typically tells us is beautiful and feminine, makeup and long flowing hair.
Some of the women were not sure how they would feel once stripped down, but I feel like the women were beautiful with or without their adornments.
I’ve always wanted to be bald, although I’ve never made the leap to shaving my head. This longing for a shaved head grew as I studied Buddhism and the monks with their shaved heads and clean faces.
Hair and makeup help us to express our own identities, however, one of the main goals in Buddhism is eliminating the ego or self. Being barefaced and without hair would be a great way to wash away delusions of individuality.
We love our uniqueness so much. We cling to ourselves and I cling to my brightly colored hair and winged cat-eye liner.
Cutting off over 14 inches of hair also greatly simplified my life and I’ve recently drastically cut my makeup routine down to 3 steps. Powder, to prevent breakouts, liner, and mascara. No blush, no eyeshadow, just 3 steps and I’m out the door.
I’ve got my war paint on. Just enough of a mask so that I feel human. Enough character in my liner to still feel magical. Venturing out into the world ready for anything.
Would I be as bold if I were bald? Goodness, I hope so!
I’m of the opinion we should do our hair, makeup and clothing however the hell we want and screw anyone who says otherwise. I’m a guy but I love short shorts and wear them without a thought in the world. I also show off my tattoos and don’t care who hates them. I have no time for people who judge based off of looks only. I just don’t.
Alas, for what it’s worth I used to have shoulder length hair. I don’t miss it at all. I’m actually starting to show male-pattern baldness and I imagine I will probably eventually shave my head and decorate it with a large, elaborate tattoo. Alas, that’s some time down the road still.
Own your preferred look (whatever it might be) and rock it with confidence!
I’ve often wished I were bald, not for spiritual reasons, simply because my hair bugs me . . . I’m rarely happy with the way it looks, and with my sensory issues, it causes unwelcome annoyances when it touches me sometimes. I think it would take some time to get used to baring my crown and letting go of my eyeshadow, I’d LIKE to think I would be okay without them, I can say, I’ll probably never know 😜
I am not sure being bald diminishes our identity, or reveals it more.
Make up and hair style allow us to hide who we are, to keep it safe, to minimize our non-verbal clues from others, from blushing in shame or a reaction overwhelming compliment (or something more scandalous) to hiding this or that blemish, or to “paint” a picture of us that people might find more attracting.
Cut all that away – and who we are, who we really are shines through more, not less? Our joys, our pains,the sparkles in our eyes, or our tears.
Just a thought. 🙂
I practiced zen and knew many monks. I think shaving your head is just another form of identifying the ‘I’. Monks have to shave their heads probably daily and wear monks robes and do monk-ish things and sit countless hours to be rid of ‘I’. (What you resist persists) Really, they’re no different than any of us attached to our identity. Theirs is just bald and labeled Monk.
I found this very interesting. I haven’t worn makeup for more than a decade – maybe longer.
Why cover the real you with facial glue? Seriously.
If other people are going to judge you by their standards about wearing makeup that says a whole lot more about them than you. Eleanor Roosevelt said “Other peoples’ opinions of me are none of my business.” I think she was spot on!
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I’ve often thought about going bald. Everything about my hair is exactly the opposite of what I like – it’s a big, thick, dry, naturally curly/wavy mess lol. It would SO simplify my life. I’m just too chicken to do it. My theory is that my Native American blood clings to the idea that hair is an indicator of spirituality and vibrancy, and keeping it long helps promote that. But I could be wrong lol 😉 The idea of getting rid of it altogether is very tempting.
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Thank you SO much for adding to the conversation. My vibrant colored hair makes me feel “ME” and giving up that “me-ness” hurts. I’m very attached to that feeling of identity. Look forward to reading more from you. 🙂
I have been bald four times in my life lol. Not for religious reasons, but because I am stylist, and…well we do those daring things sometimes lol. But at any rate, hair is fun…and it can or cannot be apart of you. As long as you have the confidence you can wear it all well. check out my blog too http://www.brownsugarglam.com…thanks.
Thank you so much for sharing!
I’m growing out my colored hair and going natural so this strikes my heart. It’s been a fairly easy process since I’m only about 8% grey, however other people’s reactions to me being ME have varied and it always makes me stop to think if I’m doing the right thing.
I think the problems come from when we look to others for the answer to if something is “the right thing” or not. When we act for ourselves and know it is right for us we can feel more confident – but we have to stop caring about other’s opinions first. 🙂
Very true. In my case I look in the mirror and sometimes question but I’m letting it be, sitting with it, and will ultimately do what I want 🙂
This is actually a pretty interesting read! On one hand, things associated with “beauty” eg makeup and hair style, are inherently badass..but I think women should also feel empowered in their own skin without any bells and whistles. Its funny because I’m a beauty blogger and 90% of the time I rock the “Monday look” and I love it. It’s just me. I honestly think that if we make a conscious effort to exude confidence, people don’t notice that extra sharp wing or that new $40 blush we’re wearing. The extras are fun, but they’re not necessary. We just think they are 🙂
I love makeup but being confident without it is important. I want more women to feel empowered.
Very interesting. Many people look at me as though I’ve grown two heads when I tell them that I sell makeup but I hardly wear it. Many days, I just wash my face and apply moisturizer before heading out. When I finally wear makeup, I do full-face, over-the-top makeup. I love makeup; however, at one point, I used it to disguise myself either due to weight gain or acne. I wasn’t happy. I wasn’t comfortable with myself. I began to focus on those issues. Once I became more comfortable with myself, I relied on it less. I still love makeup but instead of creating a new beauty, I use it to accentuate the current beauty.
I can very much relate to that struggle. When I was a teen makeup was a mask I wore to help me gain confidence to face the world and my peers. It helped me play a character. As an adult learning to be more confident in my own skin has been amazingly powerful. I wish I could have known sooner.
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Thank you so much!
Thanks for reminding me that we don´t need to slather on makeup to look or feel beautiful. Just because mainstream society holds that bar doesn´t mean it´s correct or the only way to be beautiful.
Nicely said!
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This is interesting as being bald will solve a lot of girly problems.
People’s opinions of me probably bother me way too much then they should… but I think that is a part of who I am. I like to please others in all areas of my life and that includes the way I look. It may sound sad but other people being happy and enjoying the way I look boosts the way I feel about myself – whether I initially felt great about how I look or not.
One thing that always sticks in my mind though is when I first dyed my hair darker about 7 years ago and my nan responded to this with ‘it looks really nice, your eyebrows match your hair much better now.’
!!
Thoughts in my head – no-one had ever told me that my hair didn’t match my eyebrows in all of my life?! And I have not stopped dying my hair since…. 🙂
How do you make your mind up about having your long hair cut into a pixie cut? Xx
Hair is itchy and annoying to my face so I prefer it short. 😉
i like women with natural hair and make up…goog writing
I wrote about this concept in my last blog. The notion that women feel they must wear make up, wear too much, too little. . . . it is all about the individual person. Societal pressure is why so many feel that women must be a certain way. Breaking those chains is really hard to do. I must admit, being who I am, going days without make up feels like I have lost a part of myself. Have I really? Great post!
I’m one of those women who just wants to be comfortable, I couldn’t be bothered by my hair and makeup. Obviously if I have to be more “presentable” I’ll go through the whole putting on makeup and straightening my hair thing, which I don’t enjoy, but otherwise I just tie my hair up and go barefaced out into the world.