Two whole web pages, I had to check I was on the right thread! It took a little back reading to see how the dissertation discussion morphed into appearance.
I have never been able to wear much make-up due to sensitivity. Eye make-up was the worst. I have eye creep really, really bad, also known as oily eyes. Anything within an inch of my eye ends up in the eye. Miserable. I have always looked younger than my age, and do things diet-wise to feed the skin. My eyes give me away, though, with a few wrinkles. It is actually nice to be taken seriously as a mature woman.
What I would like to add here is that my sisters thought I had been wearing eye make-up for years. I have since read that the pale cinnamon color around my eyes is due to adrenal issues. Does anyone else here have that?
In office jobs, I wore minimal make-up for the part, so to speak. There is one woman in particular I remember getting upset when I did not. "Where's your lipstick?" she would demand. I would just look at her funny. Men do not get that question, so it of course fell under the discrimination laws they were so proud of upholding.
Over the years, I learned how to augment what others call presence. I am soft-spoken and patient with people, but at first blush others actually find me intimidating. I am told there is a sense of drivenness, a look of purpose in my eyes, and something in how I walk that says I mean business. Maybe that is why doctors took me seriously?
These days, I am content to rely on body language and have a job where I can leave off make-up.
It is amazing what body language and bearing accomplish and both can be cultivated.
) My father was a teacher, as have been some of my friends. He didn't wear make-up...can't remember his clothes so I guess they must have been quite ordinary.
