Why I Don't Think Makeup Is Deceptive or False Advertising

Anonymous

As a makeup lover, I've heard the 'makeup is deceitful!" argument so many times. Today, I'm going to share my take on why I don't believe it's deceitful. Obviously, this is just my opinion on it and you're perfectly entitled to think whatever you want, but I ask that you keep the comments civil instead of bashing me for having some kind of agenda, which I don't. I just find makeup fun as hell and all the hate it gets is annoying to me.

Anyways, let's get on with it.

From Wikipedia: False advertising is the use of false, misleading, or unproven information to advertise products to consumers or advertising that does not disclose its source

Those who say women (or men; though I'm writing this from a woman POV since we're often the targets of these comments) who wear makeup is false advertising are saying that women are products, and men are the consumers. The first issue with that is, well, women aren't products and many of us care about our appearance for other reasons than to appeal to men.

Literally, I'm wearing a full face of makeup right now despite not having anywhere to go all day. But even if a woman is using it for that reason, why should it matter? It's her face and she can do what she pleases with it.

Ignoring that, and going on with the same argument, false advertising implies the producer has information that the consumer doesn't. Let's be honest here, millions of women wear makeup, we all know that. If you see a hundred women out in public, there's a high chance at least half of them were wearing even something small like mascara. How could it be false advertising when you know how common it is for women to wear makeup? It's not like we're hiding it, especially with smokey colorful eye looks that are quite clearly unnatural and not false advertising, it's called creativity.

Why I Don't Think Makeup Is Deceptive or False Advertising

de-ceit-ful

adjective/;

guilty of or involving deceit; deceiving or misleading others.

Why I Don't Think Makeup Is Deceptive or False Advertising

Saying makeup is deceitful is like someone telling you that 9 + 10 equals 21. It's pretty easy to determine that's false. If you see a woman in public with red lipstick, is that really deceiving? No, because it's pretty easy to determine that her lips aren't naturally red. Calling it deceptive would also imply that you have a right to know how another person's natural body looks, which nobody does unless said person gave you that right.

If makeup is deceptive, then what isn't? Clothing hides/alters your body shape. Perfume, soaps, and deodorants changes your natural scent. Hair dye alters your natural hair color. If makeup is so bad and deceitful, should we stop using all of the other products that might alter us?

In the case of natural makeup, it's still relatively easy. You can see tinted brows, powder on the face, darkened lashes, etc. If you can see it or smell it, it isn't deceiving anyone.

Sincerely, a makeup lover.

Why I Don't Think Makeup Is Deceptive or False Advertising
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