Illustrator and cyber-activist Nika Vodwood about feminism and favorite cosmetics
FOR RUBRIC "COSMETIC" we study the contents of beauty cases, dressing tables and cosmetic bags of interesting characters to us - and we show all this to you.
About decorative cosmetics
All my life, when I was asked why I didn’t paint my lips and eyes, I answered that I love makeup products — but in other people; I myself, they say, only fill my eyebrows and sometimes acne smears. If anything, it has nothing to do with my worldview. The position of intersectional feminism regarding makeup is as follows: women are free to do whatever they want with their bodies, you just have to analyze the reasons for preferences and critically interpret beauty standards, considering that women’s experience is different and the same actions can have different meanings for different people and effects.
For me, just a decorative make-up did not make much sense. My friends periodically tried to convince and make up things, but this led to suffering: I didn’t recognize myself in the mirror and this made me very scary. No matter how I tried to pick up red lipstick, I still seemed to myself an unfamiliar aunt with her. Clothes have a similar story: if I find something that makes me feel good, then I wear it for years. You know, there are people who are painted and dressed differently every day, because it pleases them? Like olya cass! I am the exact opposite, but just a month ago something clicked in my head.
A friend came to visit me and made up for the video - I was already prepared, which would be funny and uncomfortable, but I liked it. It turned out not so neatly, because we were laughing all the time, but for the first time in my life I recognized myself after makeup and thought it was beautiful. It seems to me that if such an experience is unknown to a person, the next phrase will be perceived as a huge exaggeration, but all this has greatly changed my life - I even became a little happier. Now I adore dark matte lipsticks - blue, purple, green, - sparkles on cheeks and under eyes, pink ink and red shadows.
About beauty and health
It is important to understand that both are not some objective indicators, but social constructs. They change, affect people's lives, they can be criticized. Standards of beauty and health are closely intertwined, and I would very much like more people to learn about what is Lukism and Eyme. I advise you to google "health / beauty is a social construct" and read more - it's very interesting! You will find that health is not only the absence of disease, but also compliance with certain standards, which can be very unhealthy.
I have an ambiguous attitude to the very word “beauty” - I like it only in use between friends and relatives, and if someone outside this circle applies it to me, it becomes somehow uncomfortable. I discussed it with friends - for many people the same way. Unsolicited appearance assessment, starting in early childhood and continuing throughout life, is unpleasant.
I pay attention to physical health only if something hurts, but I watch closely for mental health. For me the main thing is to eat and sleep regularly. If I do it badly, panic attacks immediately begin, so I do not hesitate to sleep or eat. I can even fall asleep at a party or have a power nap at the bar. And you do not hesitate. Sleep is life!
