Degrees of Makeup.

No makeup.


"Half" makeup.


Full makeup.

Makeup is a huge HUUUUGE deal in Korea. It's actually a rather serious social faux pas for a 20-something woman to go around without a face full of makeup. Seeing as I'm in that 0.000000001% minority who DOESN'T wear makeup, I constantly get comments from my family, the teachers at school, and even my students (13 to 16-year old boys, mind you) about how I would be SO much prettier with some makeup... among other things. While I generally just laugh and shrug it off... it's been building up slowly over the last few months, and I feel the need to get this off my chest.

Folks, I like my face the way it is. I'm not saying that it's perfect, just that I'm perfectly okay with my face the way it is. And isn't it my choice whether or not I want to use makeup? When I look at those three pictures of me above, I like my face without any makeup the best. It might be because that's the face I'm used to seeing in the mirror, but I also feel like it's the most personable. My wedding photos freak me out a little because I look SO different (and a little unnatural) in them.

Don't get me wrong! I like to put on some serious eyeliner and mascara for "special events", like a girls' night out or a dinner date with the hubby. That's about it for me. Anything more and I feel uncomfortable in my own skin.

So, Korean people, I appreciate your help, but I'm pretty satisfied with the way I look. And if it's alright with you, I'll just do my own thing. No expensive cosmetics or plastic surgery for this one. Thanks.