The side effect of addiction to any substance or behavior takes a while to become obvious. Yet sometimes, the things that become an addiction are not obvious, probably because it is not unlawful.
Eating excessive sugar, video game addiction, or in my case makeup addiction. The issue is that l did not even see myself as someone susceptible.
As ladies in media or show business, I thought makeup was normal.
You must wear makeup to:
1. Shoot a social media post
2. To go onstage as a singer in church
3. To perform at shows
4. To go out on a date
5. To go to a wedding
6. To attend church
7. To office
8. To School
9. To audition
10. To a doctor’s appointment
In other words, it is now our culture as black women. An addictive one at that, that promotes low self-esteem.
I was shocked to see women go without makeup at the white church l attended in California.
They wore their real hair
Did not wear makeup
This is not a generalization. White women wear makeup too.
When l started hearing
“You look better without makeup” from my loved ones, l remembered hearing some young men complain about excessive makeup and say these words “Ladies are not making up for us, it’s just a competition among themselves”
At this point, l didn’t know l was addicted until l tried to create a social media post without makeup and did not recognize my face.
I looked at the mirror and did not like what l saw.
So, I reached for my makeup and did what addicts do.
After it dawned on me that l was hooked and needed to break free from the bondage, I went off-grid. This was at a time when l was really hungry for truth, interested in starting my personal development journey, and drawing closer to God in fellowship.
Since l limited the activities that require makeup, I was able to stay makeup-free for a long time.
The first thing l noticed was the disappearance of acne and black spots on my face. At this time l was not rubbing anything including cream on my face, except Vaseline when the weather got cold and dry.
I had kept my natural hair for three years at a time. I discarded my wigs also and stayed natural.
Before I started seeing myself as beautiful again, I felt peace. I think drawing closer to God does something to your psyche. It frees you from low self-esteem and depression.
While I do not think makeup or wearing artificial hair is bad and my experience is not a general rule, l enjoy the freedom that comes from knowing that the way God created me is perfect.
Taking the time to care for my natural hair and no longer feeling the need for makeup is so refreshing. Can you imagine what I was missing?
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