Beauty: Inherently submissive?

[Sixth]

You can’t help the way you look. You do have a choice as to whether you buy into tones of cosmetics, spend money on fashionable clothes or spend lots of time in the morning or before you go out to look nice.

If you do this are you being submissive?

 

[MissTaken]

Submissive to what?

I rather think that trying to look your best is part of self respect and self image.

Carrying one's self with confidence may mean adding a bit of lipstick or a nice hair cut.

 

[Mistress]

No I don't think so...I like to dress up on occasion, but I like to have my control too. I wouldn't see it as being submissive when you do it for 'yourself' to make 'you' feel good. I have been known to dress up for others too but that still doesn't make it submissive in my view point. Cool question though....

 

[*bratcat*]

 

[Ms_Lilith]

I don't think so.
I think that SOME people may be buying into the fashion industry because they want to conform, and in that case, I suppose submissive might be a usable word.

But I don't think I am submissive because I wear makeup, and buy nice clothes. Like I've said many times before, I'm a jeans and T-shirt kinda girl. I like to be comfortable. Often, I don't wear makeup. Check my pic thread, the evidence is there. However. I do like to dress up now and again, and I do it for me, because I like how I look.

The only time I would ever consider myself to be submissive cus of the way I dress, is when I dress to please my mate. He never asks it of me, but I do it to surprise him and to see that look of "oh my god, you're beautiful" on his face. And in such situations, it's my desire to please HIM, not the world.

 

[ChefChip]

the most beautifle part of a person is the mind, and I know that can't be made up with makeup. I think the smarter the woman the more beautiful.

 

[Sixth]

Submissive to what?

I rather think that trying to look your best is part of self respect and self image.

Carrying one's self with confidence may mean adding a bit of lipstick or a nice hair cut.

This self-confidence seems to come from knowing that culture, the man on the street, those people you know, will look at you and know that you’re looking nice. A new hair cut is a treat because it makes you feel better; the caveat to this is that if other people don’t like the hair cut (they say it doesn’t suit you) then it’ll not make you feel letter, it’s a mistake.

It is a peer pressure.
You’re being submissive to your peers.

 

[Ms_Lilith]

This self-confidence seems to come from knowing that culture, the man on the street, those people you know, will look at you and know that you’re looking nice. A new hair cut is a treat because it makes you feel better; the caveat to this is that if other people don’t like the hair cut (they say it doesn’t suit you) then it’ll not make you feel letter, it’s a mistake.

It is a peer pressure.
You’re being submissive to your peers.

oh bah, fuckit.

I've had a lot of haircuts my peers don't like. And I've dressed in ways my peers don't like. And I have 10 piercings and a tattoo. I didn't do it to rebel, and I didn't do it to please. I did it for me.

 

[takingchances42]

This self-confidence seems to come from knowing that culture, the man on the street, those people you know, will look at you and know that you’re looking nice. A new hair cut is a treat because it makes you feel better; the caveat to this is that if other people don’t like the hair cut (they say it doesn’t suit you) then it’ll not make you feel letter, it’s a mistake.

It is a peer pressure.
You’re being submissive to your peers.

Real beauty comes from inner strength, purpose and self-confidence. As well as love, caring and giving.

The shallow beauty that comes from slavishly following fashions and spending inordinate amounts of time trying to conform is not at all appealing to me. Dating someone like that is the relationship equivalent of eating popcorn. Pure fluff and you're hungry again in half an hour. I don't eat popcorn often.

 

[MissTaken]

This self-confidence seems to come from knowing that culture, the man on the street, those people you know, will look at you and know that you’re looking nice. A new hair cut is a treat because it makes you feel better; the caveat to this is that if other people don’t like the hair cut (they say it doesn’t suit you) then it’ll not make you feel letter, it’s a mistake.

It is a peer pressure.
You’re being submissive to your peers.

That depends on one's perspective.

If my hair looks good and feels good to me and I dont' give a fuck what Jon Doe thinks, it isn't submissive.

I feel better when I look good.
How I look is in the eye of the beholder. How I feel is in my eyes and hands and heart.

Submissive is when I wear the black thingy for Jon Doe on a date because HE likes it.

Assertive is when I appear as I wish to for my own reasons, lipstick or no.

 

[AngelAmy]

My first post

Up until now, I have just lurked on these boards, posted stories, and chatted in Lit's digi-chat. But, this particular question intriqued me, and I would like to offer my opinion.

In our culture, an attractive exterior provides a strange sort of power. Men are more apt to rescue an attractive female stranded with car trouble, attractive job applicants more likely to be hired than those of the more unattractive persuasion, etc. Thus, it is my belief that skillfully applied make-up provides its wearer with MORE power, not less, as it enhances a woman's attractiveness. Personally, I have noticed the differing treatment I receive when I wear a ball cap and no make-up versus the treatment I receive when I wear lipstick and a spray of Chanel. Does this make me submissive, bent upon pleasing others? In my opinion, the reverse is true. Instead, by wearing make-up and maximizing my positive physical attributes, I exploit an avenue of power.

Amy

 

[Laurel]

This self-confidence seems to come from knowing that culture, the man on the street, those people you know, will look at you and know that you’re looking nice. A new hair cut is a treat because it makes you feel better; the caveat to this is that if other people don’t like the hair cut (they say it doesn’t suit you) then it’ll not make you feel letter, it’s a mistake.

It is a peer pressure.
You’re being submissive to your peers.

One could argue that bathing, brushing our teeth, and wearing clothes are "submissive" activities. We do them because walking around stinky & naked would get us ostracized by our peers.

People are social animals. I don't believe that having consideration for those around us is submissive - I think it's shrewd. People who refuse to make any effort to get along with others are generally pretty unsuccessful and unhappy.

 

[Guest]

When I wear make-up, perfume, beautiful velvet dress, etc. I do it only for myself. Making myself pretty and feeling pretty doesn't mean I'm being submissive. It's nothing to do with my self respect though. It's just my right to be all woman.

 

[ChefChip]

One could argue that bathing, brushing our teeth, and wearing clothes are "submissive" activities. We do them because walking around stinky & naked would get us ostracized by our peers.

People are social animals. I don't believe that having consideration for those around us is submissive - I think it's shrewd. People who refuse to make any effort to get along with others are generally pretty unsuccessful and unhappy.

very funny

 

[Wiggles]

When I wear make-up, perfume, beautiful velvet dress, etc. I do it only for myself. Making myself pretty and feeling pretty doesn't mean I'm being submissive. It's nothing to do with my self respect though. It's just my right to be all woman.

Ummm...

 

[ChefChip]

good atitude

 

[LovetoGiveRoses]

A case of beauty and non-submissiveness......prima donna actresses. LOL.