The term is 'Make-up' not 'Mask up'

By Bola Babs
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
bola@nigeriahorizon.com

Are you a fugitive?  I wonder as I took a glance over at the woman sitting opposite me on the ever-dependable TTC bus.  My goodness, the next word that came to mind was pancake and I almost busted into laughter.  For some older school folks like myself, indulge me a little and allow me to jolt your memory back down memory lane.  Pancake was the fond name used locally to describe the extent to which a woman used make-up i.e. extreme ‘Make-Up’ usage.  In other words, sister proceeds with caution!  Well, I prefer the phrase - ‘Mask-Up’ for this present day and time.

The act of make-up (stay focused…I am still talking about cosmetics) has a very flattering effect on a woman.  It highlights our natural beauty and intentionally covers the little flaws here and there, especially on those unforeseen days.  How I love my lip-gloss, the eye shadow, simply irresistible, when it comes to highlighting the features.  Oh and lest not forget the Mac blotting powder which takes off all excess oil that often makes my face appear as though it can produce enough oil to last a cooking season.

But then, when you see me, you see me appear as though nothing taken, nothing added simply put together me, maybe a bit flawless after effect, but that is the idea behind make-up – it portrays the most natural you!  What I fail to understand is why some choose instead to powder themselves with so much (make-up) in the name of foundation.  Looking at these faces, you begin to wonder why they don’t just powder the entire body as well to reflect the opposite colour depicted on their faces.  This is mask-up!  Obviously, if I have to ask, is that Bola?  We have a problem!  And if I can’t give you a hug with you in your white dress-shirt tagged Holts Renfrew, we definitely have a bigger problem!

Okay.  So I am fully aware that atimes our faces can be quite unpredictable with its unwelcoming breakouts, skin rash and/or blemishes (i don't see the men complaining about theirs or better still they don't have much of a choice, but why do we?). Honestly, I know what it feels like to have all this colony of skin irritants taken territory of your face, but what make-up doesn’t tell you is the worse you powder it up, the worse it becomes, because your face doesn’t have enough oxygen to breathe in.  In short, it is more conducive to take care of your skin problem.  Believe me that would be the best investment, so then you will need less and less of the standard cosmetic which ends up costing you a fortune over time anyway.  But if you are left with an untreated, decaying face, you are left with nothing to work with.  Moreover, it is so not flattering if you cannot be seen in broad daylight without your make up on.  In other words, your face should be able to do without the fatigue of make-up.

The only act of make-up that often stands out is the eye shadow, the lipstick and/or blush, but that is when you have chosen to use a contrast to your skin tone, which doesn’t have to be done so excessively that one looks like a masquerade in broad daylight.  This is mask-up and not make-up! 

What’s the secret to flawless, unblemished skin?  Generally, genes do play a significant role in the skin condition, but so does nutrition.  Having a well-balanced diet is highly important as well and of course how we embrace our everyday i.e. maintaining an ideally stress-free approach helps a whole lot.  Stay proactive rather than reactive!  And remember, if and when you do use make-up, bear in mind it is simply what it is.  It is after all only make-up and not mask-up! 

Speaking of which?  Oh my goodness, where is my lip-gloss?

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