The women’s college experience is defined by the expressive fashion, make-up, and hair that displays each girl’s personality. On campus, a European or Tuscan style uniquely signifies an east coast aesthetic that can only be attained by the Californian girls who have dreamed their whole lives of living in the big New York City. Others carry an alternative taste with heavy black eyeliner, vibrant hair colors, and many piercings to outwardly show their political philosophies. This is one thing that women all relate to: aesthetics.
In the H-Mart by Columbia University is H-Art and near that is Teso-Life which are stores that cater to and carry primarily Asian brands for the high population of international Asian students at the institution. Recollecting a cloudy day, Ky and I ran out of makeup that we usually use. I had actually been on the lookout for a mascara strong enough to hold my stubborn lashes up all day long — something to withstand a thunderstorm. Browsing through the selection, I inquire about the mascara that Ky uses since she too knows the struggle of having pin-straight Asian lashes.
“What do you use?” “I use the Clio one.” This is a Korean brand I was familiar with due to my extensive research late last night where I should have been sleeping. Many other girls raved about it on TikTok but I have seen it on Ky’s counter, in my peers’ makeup pouches, and in catalogs of HerCampus magazine of my school. This mascara is a connection for many of the Asian girls on our campus because we all have the similar struggle of finding just the right mascara to hold our impossible eyelashes up.
Our network starts with, “What lippie is that? What’s your lip combo? What lash clusters are those?”
Very often you can imagine someone’s personality through their makeup. Full glam beats signify people who take the time to paint the picture of who they are in the dimmest hours of the early morning. Messy mascara and smudgy eyeliner might signal a late start to the day or a message that says, “Do not talk to me. I do not want to talk.” The choice of makeup reflects who we are to each other, but it also opens the door to connecting about our decisions.
Inquiries into certain products or compliments in passing initiate conversations which lead to friendship. Helping others with their makeup choices is a universal form for connection that is not exclusive to women but most evident in women-filled spaces. Admiration for fun colors, doing each others’ makeup, and getting ready together can be intimate. You get to know a person’s soul in the accentuation of their eyes, lips, or nose. Connecting in the love of getting ready makes the process of makeup all that much more fun when in a room full of others who do the same but can also help you with unfamiliar techniques.
I have often helped with eyeliner, lashes, or hair (my favorite activity). In the first few weeks of knowing my suitemates, I had one of them knock on my door quite suddenly. As an introvert, a pounding on my door was the last thing I was expecting but to my surprise my suitemate Pauline wanted to ask for my help with her eyeliner. I happily agreed since I enjoy doing other people’s makeup. This moment also allowed me to gain her trust and connect better with her by asking what type of style she was going for or if she liked how it turned out. She simply smiled back at me and said, “I knew you were the perfect person to ask!” Although I gladly helped her, I was overjoyed in feeling somewhat closer to someone I was still getting to know.
In this way, makeup can be a source for connection and bonding. From inquiring about specific products, complimenting each other on the street, or anything else really, learning and connection is built into the practice of painting our faces.
By Alyssa Hong
Alyssa Hong is a rising Junior at Barnard College, studying Political Science with a minor in English. As a first-generation, low-income student, she writes about moving across the country for college and its adjustments. She utilizes entertainment, wellness/health/food, and fashion/beauty as methods to making new connections with others whilst always learning.
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