I get that someone might want to be Barbie for Halloween or whatever. But the most disturbing thing about this is how she so casually and honestly remarks several times that the goal of applying this makeup is to make your skin look like plastic. It's just so breathtaking to say it explicitly - our beauty standard involves attempting to look like you're made out of plastic, or some other synthetic material.
In my experience you put foundation on your lips when applying makeup for stage productions - where you want an even skin tone that will withstand the heat and lights.
@Anon - I noticed that too. She says it three or four times, but really casually.
@Melba - now that I think about it, my sister used to be in a theatrical group that did these live stills of famous artwork, and they put some kind of flesh colored stuff on their lips. I'm guessing it was foundation, now that I think about it.
Strangely, for me, what's really upsetting is that she's clearly Asian (probably Cambodia or Laos) and she's making it disappear as she goes, like it's normal to want to erase that part of her physique.... Is it supposed to be better to look like this plastic subhuman nightmare than to look Asian....?
I agree. And that's just one more layer of what's troubling about cultural phenomena like Barbie. Of course they make Asian and Black Barbies. But everyone knows that the beauty ideal that Barbie represents is blond and blue-eyed.
OK, this one is a bit extreme, but any time I see a makeup tutorial I'm struck by how much time a makeup routine requires. Both in the morning and evening, when removing it must take a chunk of time. It seems like the lower down on the totem pole you are, the more of a burden is placed on you to make your body acceptable to the kyriarchy.
Oh. My. God.
ReplyDeleteWait, is it normal to put foundation on your lips?!?
ReplyDeleteThe foundation on the lips seemed really weird to me too, but I have zero experience wearing or applying makeup, so...
ReplyDeleteI was initially unsure about why you'd put a makeup tutorial on a feminist blog, but I think I get the point.
ReplyDeleteWhy does this video get only three exclamation points? Seems to me like it deserves/requires at least five.
ReplyDeleteDid you just Google "fairy barbie princess" and then post the first hit? I love it.
ReplyDeleteI get that someone might want to be Barbie for Halloween or whatever. But the most disturbing thing about this is how she so casually and honestly remarks several times that the goal of applying this makeup is to make your skin look like plastic. It's just so breathtaking to say it explicitly - our beauty standard involves attempting to look like you're made out of plastic, or some other synthetic material.
ReplyDeleteIn my experience you put foundation on your lips when applying makeup for stage productions - where you want an even skin tone that will withstand the heat and lights.
ReplyDelete@Anon - I noticed that too. She says it three or four times, but really casually.
ReplyDelete@Melba - now that I think about it, my sister used to be in a theatrical group that did these live stills of famous artwork, and they put some kind of flesh colored stuff on their lips. I'm guessing it was foundation, now that I think about it.
Well, at least now I know how to make my nose look thinner.
ReplyDeleteStrangely, for me, what's really upsetting is that she's clearly Asian (probably Cambodia or Laos) and she's making it disappear as she goes, like it's normal to want to erase that part of her physique.... Is it supposed to be better to look like this plastic subhuman nightmare than to look Asian....?
ReplyDeleteI agree. And that's just one more layer of what's troubling about cultural phenomena like Barbie. Of course they make Asian and Black Barbies. But everyone knows that the beauty ideal that Barbie represents is blond and blue-eyed.
ReplyDeleteOK, this one is a bit extreme, but any time I see a makeup tutorial I'm struck by how much time a makeup routine requires. Both in the morning and evening, when removing it must take a chunk of time. It seems like the lower down on the totem pole you are, the more of a burden is placed on you to make your body acceptable to the kyriarchy.
ReplyDelete