When I get my makeup done for television appearances while I am promoting a book or when I am asked to comment on pop culture or the political climate, I feel like I'm wearing a mask I have no right to wear. The makeup feels far thicker than it really is. I feel like people are staring at me, laughing at me for daring to think I could do anything to make myself more presentable. And I remember how I felt the one time I tried to look pretty for someone, how it wasn't enough. The first chance I get, I scrub the makeup off. I choose to live in my own skin.
In her book "Hunger," author Roxane Gay expresses a deep discomfort she feels during television appearances when makeup is applied for public presentation. She compares the heavy application of makeup to wearing a mask, suggesting it makes her feel exposed and unworthy. This experience evokes feelings of vulnerability as she senses judgment from others, reinforcing her belief that any attempt to improve her appearance is futile.
Gay poignantly reflects on a...
