We all know that makeup is a huge factor in today’s society. Makeup can be fun and empowering, or it can be damaging and detrimental to your mental and physical health. So which side of the argument is the most valid? Well, the simple answer is both. The media today places huge expectations on people to look a certain way. This can be a large factor in creating anxiety and depression. However, when used with the right perspective, makeup can also be a fun way to express yourself and boost your confidence. As for physical health, some makeup products can be inconsequential or even beneficial to your health when used appropriately, but many products are very harmful to your skin. You have to be careful what you’re using and how you use it.

Our skin is the largest organ of our body. We have to treat it with kindness and care. However, many popular skin products are actually quite dangerous for our skin. The Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, mainly focuses on consumed products. However, part of its job is to check makeup products as well. Unfortunately, it isn’t technically required to check the ingredients of a product unless it contains additive coloring. This means many companies get away with using ingredients that are very dangerous. Statistics show that mascara , which is often a black product, is the most commonly used makeup product for women. However, many eyeliners and other black products contain carbon black, which can cause black lung when inhaled. Two of the most popular makeup brands in the U.S., L’Oreal and Covergirl, are known to have some products with carbon black in them.

In addition, there are many fragrances and dyes that people can be allergic to. This can cause acne or other reactions. Not only this, but according to the American Academy of Dermatology, many products are oil based, which can cause acne. For people who leave their makeup on for long periods of time, oil can build up in your pores and create skin issues. Using makeup on an acne prone spot will most likely make skin issues such as acne worse as well. 

If you notice you are having a reaction to something, you might want to try a different product instead. Try to always check the ingredients of your products to  ensure they won't cause you serious harm. But if the problem persists, it might be in the way you are using your makeup.

If you can’t avoid using an oil based product, or even if you can, it is hugely helpful to wash your brushes. Also, make sure you’re taking your makeup off carefully as well as applying it gently.  As long as you are well informed and careful, makeup doesn’t have to be dangerous.

But what about our mental health?  Makeup is known to cause depression and anxiety in people, because of the unrealistic expectations forced upon us. But makeup is also fun and confidence-boosting to some. So, because of these differing opinions, we turned to our community at Gallatin to see what new thoughts our students and staff bring to the conversation.  Our first interview is with 9th grader Maia Magnito. She believes that makeup can be good when used for fun or for events like theater and performances, however because of society’s high standards for girls, people who choose not to use makeup are perceived as ugly.

In another anonymous interview, it was expressed that makeup is  a lot of fun and gives them confidence. However, it is also very time consuming and inconvenient, and the standards placed on girls are very unrealistic. These two interviews provided similar outputs in that girls are expected to look a certain way that is nearly impossible to achieve. Whether you use makeup or not, it has been agreed upon that makeup has good uses and bad, and you have to know where you should draw the line.

To conclude, makeup can be beneficial or detrimental. It can be a way to express yourself, or it can be a restriction placed upon you. According to our own counselor Drew Miller, “Social media and other forms of media create an unhealthy and unrealistic ‘beauty’ standard and our kids- young girls specifically-  are targeted into thinking that is what they should look like.” Makeup can still be a good thing as long as you are using it because you are choosing to and it makes you feel good, rather than someone else telling you that you have to. Makeup can also create or worsen skin conditions, whether it’s due to ingredients or improper usage. But even so, if you are careful, you can still enjoy makeup and all of its benefits to the fullest.