Makeup, like wallpaper, is a fascinating layer of decoration that comes only after the foundation has been laid. Both serve to accentuate and add dimension to something already built, whether that’s the architecture of a room or the natural features of a face. Wallpaper doesn’t define the walls, but it brings out their character—just as makeup brings out the existing structure of a person’s features without changing their essence.
Psychologically, we may feel tempted to view makeup as transformative, but it’s really a complement to what’s already there. Like wallpaper, it has to come after the “room” is established, after we know ourselves. Without that foundation, it’s just decoration without purpose, missing the point of its beauty.
Where do we draw the line between enhancing what’s built and trying to mask it entirely? Is your makeup celebrating the space or covering it up?