Last week there was a dust-up in the media about a photo of Hillary Clinton doing her job as Secretary of State, and she was supposedly not wearing make-up. It’s so refreshing, and I applaud her. She told CNN:
“I feel so relieved to be at the stage I’m at in my life right now, because you know if I want to wear my glasses I’m wearing my glasses. If I want to wear my hair back I’m pulling my hair back. You know at some point it’s just not something that deserves a lot of time and attention.”
It’s true that after a certain age, you just stop fussing with things–the stupid details–minutia– of appearance. Yes, it’s important to look presentable (which she does, of course). When I was in my early twenties, I didn’t wear make-up at all, on principle. Then I sort of fell in line for a while, wearing a little mascara and eye liner. Then as I got older and discovered wrinkles, I discovered foundation. I’m not ready to stop make-up altogether, but I am ready and very able to get angry at the media for making an issue out of this.
The little girl in the cartoon has an early start on getting the big picture. We need to help our kids question these things at an early age, before the women’s magazines and the cosmetics industry get a hold of their brains.
When Do They Serve The Wine? 
I have never worn makeup except on special occasions (i.e. my wedding). That way, when I put on makeup everyone remarks on how fab I look. Beats the heck out of wearing it every day, until the day you’re too rushed and go out without it and everyone asks, “Are you OK?” with that concerned tone that suggests they think you might have cancer.
That is so true. I always hate when people ask me that, or say I look tired when I’m not! When I was younger, men on the street would comment to me, “smile!” as if it was my job to be perky and pleasant. Which I am capable of, but not to a stranger on demand.
How disappointing that as women we have to deal with this. I can’t imagine being a slave to the cosmetics industry and wasting my precious time on putting gobs of product on. That doesn’t mean that I don’t wear makeup…but it’s very simple!
IT can become such a distraction for some women and takes up so much time and money. I enjoy it also to a degree but try to keep it in perspective.
LOVE this. Shared it to my Facebook page — all my friends will know why. I have never worn make-up. I think I look fabulous without it and if I don’t — who cares?
Thanks, Roz!
Funny!… I love your “sandbox” cartoons — you OWN that prop. They would make a great book collection in themselves.
Reading through this conversation, it fully dawned on me the thousands of dollars — and hours — I’ve saved, being male, NOT having to buy or apply makeup! (Not that it could ever help.) Personally, I think women are great, with or without makeup, and that it’s a ridiculous fuss. Have you ever wondered what a Hollywood film would look like if none of the actors, of either gender, wore any makeup? Would we even recognize them?
I only wish no women wore make up. Ever. It would be nice to have a level playing field (or at least reasonable expections from men!).
We have Movember, where men grow moustaches to raise awareness of (and money for) prostate cancer. How about NoMayCup, where for the month of May, women don’t wear make up for another good cause? I’d enjoy those 31 days….
PS. Loved the Tall Tale Radio interview (I am a woman cartoonist)
That’s a great idea! And thank you:)
Women shouldn’t wear makeup just to please to others. It’s something very personal and whatever makes you feel good works! So if Hillary wants her hair up, let her be! 🙂 I have days with makeup and some without… and people “just have to deal” with that! (I adore your cartoons)
I so agree! And thankyou:)