Images

Face scrubbed, clean and simple.  What an image!

Why should that be such a radical look for a woman today?  We have come to expect perfection in everyone, even if it is only surface level perfection, air-brushed manufactured perfection.  This is considered better than plain old bare faced truth.

I read an article where it said that women who were not wearing makeup were considered more likely to be difficult to get along with. To me it means she is more comfortable with herself, perhaps even more confident.  Why should that be a bad thing?  Why would it make her more difficult than a man who presented himself just as he is?

People used to gawk at the National Geographic articles showing folks wearing tattoos and jewelry that altered their bodies.  We considered them aboriginal and "native."  We considered ourselves much more "civilized" and yet we alter our bodies too, just in different ways. 

I can see where altering my looks with paint or piercings, or unusual clothing might be considered less than desirable if it is distracting.  Businesses have a right to expect their employees to fit their company image.  Although I have no problem with makeup or jewelry, I just don't want to work for someone who finds my normal face offensive.  To me that is uncivilized, or at the very least, insensitive.

I prefer to work with people who are grounded on values that are important to me.  Honesty.  Compassion.  Real awareness.  Perhaps even creativity, imagination, or resourcefulness.

I find an image based on hard work, simple confidence and wisdom reassuring and comforting.  I am more likely to trust these people.