Vanity insanity

Colors are very attractive. And so are colorful people. Appearance is everything (after character) and it does not make one shallow for wanting to look beautiful! The reference to appearance dates back to the ages when women were called the “fairer” sex. It is not wrong to say that we even feel through the visual sense. Aesthetics are appealing and do well belong to the eyes of the beholder.

Belonging to the female sex leaves one with a lot of options for playing with one’s looks. Women enjoy varieties of clothes, accessories, hair styles, makeup and, in total, fashion. They love to wear jewels, high heels, hand bags (vanity bags!), hair do’s and make up. The clothes are loosely termed western and eastern wear. From sarees to skirts, from dresses to shorts, from pants to salwars, etc, the options are just too many. There is something or the other to be done to each and every part of the face (and body?), once you step into the saloon.

And not wanting to be left behind, men are as eager to experiment these days. Trimming the ear hair does not belong to the aesthetics of the trade, but is a necessity. The burly eyebrow is being artfully shaped (does not look like a woman’s at all) to give more character to the face. Suits are well cut, and shirts are of all shades ranging from pastels to deep. Jeans are of different fits and designs. Accessories are diverse, ranging from bracelet to scarfs and from caps to shoes, but not as diverse as those of women.

And a wedding entitles one (not exclusively the bride and the groom) to indulge in beautification, without any thought for a beauty budget. From facials to waxing, there is at least a day required in the parlor. Indulgence in clothes is atrocious, but satisfying. Both men and women want to look and feel good.

Make up is an essential part of the personality, be it man or woman. A friend puts it as, “makeup enhances one’s beauty.” A woman is naturally more inclined to be colorful than a man (though newer fashion trends might prove me wrong). I say it is an art. Not all can do it tastefully. The face is a canvas, which requires careful observation and use of tricks and shades to not just hide imperfections, but enhance perfections also. With gradual learning, after an initial trepidation, eventually, it starts looking simple enough to handle.

I am not talking about the fashion world, but the ordinary people who can change their appearance as they wish and as often as they choose. The people are more aware of fashion than ever. A fashion faux pas is the worst thing that can happen here. Of course not everyone is a fashion “victim”. There are many who believe in being presentable without over indulgence.

From hair rollers to extensions, from blemish concealer to a face lift, from fake eyelashes to nails, from botox to bust enhancement, etc, the options are unlimited. A plastic surgeon is a God, who can work miracles, so is a beautician. How much is too much? Who is to say? I guess vanity is important and attractive when it is not bordering on insanity.