No Make-up vs. "No Make-up"

I don't wear make-up.

When I was younger, I remember my mother putting make-up on my face because she didn't want me to go to school with acne.  And every time she did that, it would come off on my hands during the day and it would smell funny and I just didn't like it.  As I got older, I began to own some of my own make-up and to use it whenever I felt self-conscious about my acne or whenever I wanted to look grown-up or special.  But I didn't like it.

I can feel it on my face.  My mother says I can't, but I can - in the same way I can feel contact lenses on my eyes.  It's a layer of something that sits on top of my face, very unlike an acne cream or lotion that my face absorbs.  Although I know it's not good for my acne, I touch my face a lot, and make-up comes off.  It smells weird.  And I don't like taking extra time in the morning to do something I don't like - I'd rather stretch or eat more breakfast or sleep for ten minutes.

Which is why this article in the Huffington Post stood out to me.  It talks about what people expect when they say "no make-up" and what no make-up really means.  I haven't worn make-up in a year and a half.  When I went to China to teach English, I didn't take any with me, and I haven't worn any since then.  My mother and grandmother both think I need to be wearing make-up as I search for a job.  I still have acne, so I look like a teenager, and wearing make-up will make me look like an adult who should have a job.

This idea - of society expecting me to look a certain way - raises some questions.  Will this actually keep me from getting a job?  Am I doomed to wear make-up for the rest of my life?  If someone hires me while I wear make-up, are they expecting me to wear make-up to work every day?  Do I have to go out and buy make-up to be competitive in the job market?

And where does this come from?  I'm totally okay with people wearing make-up, but when did this create the standard that I have to wear it too?  When did a woman's face alone become something that needs to be changed to be acceptable?

Luggage

It has been a long time since I last posted - but I've been reading interesting things on the interwebs, and the world needs my unique view on everything.  So I am going to attempt to blog more often!  Let's see how it goes . . . 

Travel blogs are the best form of procrastination - I know, I've had 4 years of university experience to figure this out.  It's a helpful combination of daydreaming and I-can-use-this-in-the-future knowledge.  Her Packing List is focused on travel gear for women - and it's often my starting point to find new travel bloggers to read.  Luckily, the writing and content of Her Packing List are fun and well-written as well, so I find myself reading every new article that comes out.  

This week, Her Packing List started off with a DIY Luggage Tag post, giving instructions for making a few neat-o luggage tags that can help luggage stand out at the airport.  I've found it important to be able to identify luggage easily, so here are some things I've learned in my travels abroad that can help you keep track of your luggage on a trip!

1.  Pick less boring luggage.  Before I studied abroad, my grandmother bought me a blue hard-sided suitcase.  While blue is not the most original of luggage colors, it is a lighter blue than most.  And, as a hard-sided case, it is differently shaped than other peoples luggage.  It stands out a little, but doesn't stand out too much.  I also have a small floral suitcase that I bought while abroad.  It is floral print, which means it stands out, too.  If you are specifically choosing your luggage for a trip, think about a different shape or color.

2.  Accessorize with luggage straps.  The Her Packing List post talks about luggage tags, but they are small and hard to see in baggage claim.  My family has good luck with luggage straps.  They're long "belts" than fit around your suitcase.  I remember my parents fixing a rainbow luggage strap around their big suitcase when we've gone on family vacations - that one stands out a lot.  My sister and I both used bright green luggage straps recently - we made our luggage match, even though we have completely different suitcases!  Look for a strap that you like - it is, personality-wise, like putting jewelry on your luggage.  And make sure that luggage strap goes under at least one handle - otherwise it is likely to fall off!

3. Get creative!  You can try ribbons, stickers, or sharpie to make your suitcase stand out more.  I read a story about a suitcase labeled "If you read this, please yell Sarah very loudly," so that Sarah would have an easier time locating her luggage.  Just make sure anything hanging off of your luggage is something you're not afraid to lose - this is the time to use your gift wrap ribbon, not your favorite hair bows!