Makeup is one of the most important tools for people in the world. Currently, most women in the world wear makeup, and a great number of men also wear makeup (Adams, 2013). It is free for people to use makeup. However, there are some issues involving makeup in Japan. In this paper, I would like to state the makeup discrimination in the workplace. Makeup’s history is very long, and as time has passed since the birth of makeup, trends have changed. Now, in Japan, when women work, most of them are forced to wear makeup, but it should not be heavy, as it is called “office makeup.” In fact, there are a lot of workplaces where only women are forced to wear makeup and men cannot wear makeup in Japan, for example, in banks and even regular companies. Makeup discrimination in the workplace is making people suffer.
Makeup history
Makeup has a long history and its trends always change. Makeup was first used in ancient Egyptian times to ward off evil spirits and eye infections. Then, makeup was explored all over the world. Some years later, makeup came to Japan and it spread rapidly (Akira, 2018). In fact, makeup in Japan has existed since the Kofun period, from the mid-3rd century to the mid-7th century, when people applied makeup to clay figurines in the shape of a human, so-called “haniwa”, rather than to themselves. It is said that people began to wear makeup in the Asuka period in the 6th century, around the time when Buddhism was introduced in Japan and Prince Shotoku was born. Envoys traveled to China and brought various cosmetics to Japan, such as oshiroi（face powder）and beni （rouge). Oshiroi is said to have been made by steaming lead with vinegar, so it is not so subtle as to be good for the skin. However, at that time, cosmetics were luxury products, and only a limited number of people, such as the royal family and court ladies, were allowed to wear makeup (Genteel, 2022). Makeup was one way of showing their own status.
Later, around the Muromachi period, cosmetic culture gradually began to spread to the general population, and it is said that cosmetics actually became familiar from the end of the Edo period to the beginning of the Meiji period.
Thus, throughout its long history, makeup in Japan has become a part of many people’s lives, especially women’s. The trend of makeup has also changed with the changing times, giving rise to a variety of makeup styles, such as natural makeup, gal makeup, and office makeup.
How does makeup make a difference to people’s impressions?
People with high external attractiveness are highly valued in a variety of interpersonal and social situations. Hence, wearing makeup and covering up defects, such as scars, is one great way of making yourself look attractive. However, whether you wear more or less makeup, use more or less cosmetics, and even whether you look attractive or unattractive or average-looking or not, when you have makeup on will have a different effect on people. For example, excessive makeup, such as bright red lips, too much mascara, or strongly colored eyeshadow, gives people the impression of being strong and stimulating. On the other hand, thin makeup, which is known as natural makeup, gives a fresh impression.
Makeup at the workplace – difference between women and men
The social norm that women must be beautiful in public exposes gender discrimination and gender inequality. In contemporary Japanese society, makeup is considered to be a woman’s personal appearance, and only women are sometimes required to wear make-up in the workplace. Some Japanese women wear makeup for pleasure, but there are also many who only wear makeup because they feel obliged to do so because their company requires them. This is meaningless that women are forced to wear makeup just because they are women. Wearing makeup may seem glamorous and a good thing, but the cost and time spent on makeup is considerable.
In addition, men as well as women are disgusted by makeup discrimination in the workplace. That is, men are not allowed to wear makeup in the workplace. Compared to the past, the number of men who wear makeup is increasing worldwide due to an increased awareness of beauty not only among women but also among men, thanks to the expansion of the media and the popularity of makeup-wearing male idols and male celebrities like BTS [Bangtan Sonyeondan] and Johnny Depp (Hagan, 2014). However, when it comes to the workplace, the majority of companies prohibit men from wearing makeup. While it is considered normal for women to go to work with makeup, for men, just wearing makeup is enough to make some people look at them with curiosity. Men who wear makeup, which is considered ‘only for women,’ are often stereotyped as effeminate or gay. It is extremely humiliating to be criticized and prejudiced against just for wearing makeup and to have one’s own sexuality defined without permission.
Conclusion
In the Japanese workplace, there is a norm that women must wear makeup, while men are not allowed to wear makeup, based on the strongly entrenched Japanese value that “makeup should only be worn by women.” Although diversity in terms of gender is recognized worldwide and freedom of makeup should be more widely expanded, makeup discrimination is exposed in many parts of Japan because the country is bound by old values. While it is very difficult to remove old or traditional beliefs, Japanese companies should promote the freedom of choice in makeup for both men and women, and first of all, they should give seminars for men and women to understand the benefits and difficulties of makeup.
Reference list
Adams, R. (2013). STUDY: Makeup For Men Is On The Rise. HuffPost. [online] 19 Jun. Available at: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/male-makeup-study-men_n_3467482 [Accessed 26 August 2022].
Akira, T. (2018). 古代から中世までの化粧 ヨーロッパのメイクアップの歴史 | イギリス・ウェールズの歴史ーカムログ. [online] www.rekishiwales.com. Available at: https://www.rekishiwales.com/entry/makeup-history [Accessed 26 August 2022].
Genteel (2022). 【まとめ】化粧の歴史｜history of make-up in Japan. [online] www.cosme-genteel.com. Available at: https://www.cosme-genteel.com/makeup-history/ [Accessed 26 August 2022].
Hagan, G. (2014). 12 Male Celebs Who Enjoy Wearing Makeup. [online] TheRichest. Available at: https://www.therichest.com/expensive-lifestyle/12-male-celebs-who-love-wearing-makeup/ [Accessed 26 August 2022].
