Like me, have you ever purchased or tried on an expensive makeup brand or piece of clothing and it completely made you feel different about yourself and how you viewed others?
We have been told by magazines and society what beauty looks like and unfortunately, it normally doesn’t come in my package. But, that’s a conversation for another day. I wanted to address one of the byproducts social construction and very good marketing can do to us mentally. The idea that putting on a particular beauty or fashion item can make us not only feel, but believe that we are prettier and sometimes even better than others because we have this expensive and normally more exclusive item on.
I thought about this because I had to take a look in the mirror. Do I sometimes like more expensive makeup or clothing because it’s actually nicer or because it makes me feel better about myself? Or, have I been so brainwashed that because “they” tell me it’s nicer and better than I should just believe it. We all know that just because something is more expensive does not necessarily mean that it is better. I have tried on less expensive clothing and beauty items that rival or are even better than the more expensive ones. But, for some reason, the less expensive items do not give me the “feeling” that more expensive items do. Put that designer compact against a drugstore compact. They both cover your face with makeup, but one has more prestige. If you pull out that designer compact in front of people they assume certain things about you, which if we are honest, we like. Why is that?
None of the above is a problem until we now can’t feel good about ourselves or believe that without these expensive and exclusive items we are less. I am writing this because for myself I have to be mindful and keep myself in CHECK of who I REALLY AM with or without these possessions. Nice beauty and clothing items are great, but I need to pop my own balloon sometimes when I get that feeling of betterment. These items do not make me better than others and I certainly should not get so caught up unless I find myself within a well I can’t get out of. Do any of you have this feeling or am I by myself on this one? Comment below and let me know your thoughts. Thank you for reading and talk to you next time!
Shajuana