The correct use of make-up explores one’s personality by enhancing it, and does not try changing it, believes hair stylist Pushkin Bhasin.

The woman of today refuses to doll up just because she’s expected to look picture perfect all the time. Many are challenging the concept of make-up with a sharp dose of online humour.

The body beautiful has always been much desired, coveted and celebrated. And every era, in every culture across the world, has had a certain prototype of beauty that women have strived to conform to. Even in the present liberated times, women have to grapple with the demand of looking picture perfect everyday. Some industries and jobs even demand that women look a certain way. However, there is a new trend sweeping the Internet where women are saying they’ve had enough, and are protesting the need for constant perfection via comedy.

The idea is to mock make-up by putting on funny make-up.  These videos are circulating all over social media. And many agree that looking one’s best with make-up can be a pleasure, but being expected to always look pretty is an irritating pressure.

Hair stylist Lhakpa Dolma says, “We all want to look good and perfect. Make-up is something you put on when you are stepping out, and it allows you to sport a look of your choice. Make-up is now also getting popular in the male world, and guys are trying out foundation and contouring. I feel putting on funny make-up is spreading the message that it is okay not to look perfect all the time.”

On the other hand, many believe that make-up has now become a lifestyle necessity instead of being an option for women. The key reasons are twofold, feels make-up artist Shruti Chopra. “Firstly, massive global exposure. Secondly, social media awareness which puts pressure on women. Since everything is so easily accessible, women learn all about make-up just by checking out make-up videos on YouTube and Instagram. All the international makeup brands are now easily available here, so it’s easy to use the products that you see big international make-up artists using,” she says.

She believes that while vanity can be good to present yourself looking your best and is self-gratifying, it should not turn into an obsession and become a disorder. “My take on this is that although make-up enhances a woman’s beauty, women should not be dependent on it,” she adds.

However, feminist Kamla Bhasin argues that everyone has the right to do what they want with their body, “But I personally do not fancy make-up on me. I am more interested in making up my mind. I feel body make-up is a trap. It forces notions of beauty on women.  Most women do not fit those notions, standards and then enter the make-up industry. For me the beauty of both women and men is in their character, their actions and their mind. Our bodies are forever changing, as we are mortal. Patriarchy has reduced us women to our bodies. I find it sad when women fall into this trap and end up feeling inadequate, not pretty and sad. Beauty is not in our faces and bodies, it is in the fire within.”

But model and feminist Preet Karnawal believes otherwise. “I believe all women are pretty without make-up but with the right make-up they can be pretty powerful. Every woman is beautiful and unique in her own way and she has the right to enhance her beauty using available tools and make-up is one of the most powerful tools,” she says.

The correct use of make-up explores one’s personality by enhancing it, and does not try changing it, believes hair stylist Pushkin Bhasin. “How? Let’s understand the hidden truth. Every personality needs to be highlighted so that one can attract the attention of others. And to visually highlight the personality, make-up is a powerful tool. In every period in history, make-up has been much in demand. But it is meaningful only when it succeeds in making you look your best, and not like yet another version of the look in vogue,” he concludes.