CrossRoadsPedestrian said:
Mask - To cover in order to conceal, protect, or disguise. To make indistinct or difficult to perceive.
a Ray - a line in which light (and heat) may seem to stream from the sun or any luminous body... , when a person puts make-up or mascara on, they are covering the light that streams from THEIR luminous body --- their eyes, their face....make-up/mascara can make a woman look like a completely different person with a totally different personality as well and they give anyone observing them different vibrations than if they were to be observed without make-up/mascara on.
I would actually interject and say that (literal) masks can also look lovely and enhance one's face even more - perhaps even add mystique to the mundane. There are also sexual connotations to masks - safety, and no judgement, in anonymity.
I am wondering if perhaps it is to do with vulnerability - feeling like there is nothing to hide when you are naked, perhaps, so too do we have the feeling that we are bearing all without makeup. To hide that we are tired, plagued by skin issues and/or sick, unhappy etc. Or perhaps to compensate the mundane with various types of artform (there are many styles of makeup).
It is strange you say that it "covers rays up like a mask" because many think it is used for enhancement, particularly of the eyes. A bit of sparkle can be used to attract attention, eyeliner or smoke for seduction and mystery, colours for vibrancy... and how strangely it is when typing this; how much it makes me think of magic.
Mascara is technically used practically put to enhance the lashes and make them look longer/more pronounced, without the use of false eyelashes (or can be used in conjuction with these to blend seamlessly). I believe this alludes to the "fluttering" of the eyelashes associated with obvious seduction and mystery. It can make one look more awake and draw more attention to the eyes. It is generally used as a finishing touch, so perhaps it is the last step of the "masking (changing?) of the rays". Many consider it the most vital step in a face of makeup, and even just mascara on the face can be considered a complete look.
I have been wondering if "as above, so below" may be applied here as well, in a way, even if it seems mundane. Perhaps, this might be why it seems so necessary after all (as this was a question in my mind). How can we express ourselves spiritually fully, if we are physically limited to "what we have" instead of "what we can create".
Shadowcat said:
I think persians also did this as well. certain fashions throughout the ages that are now considered feminine were dominated by men then. Even the color pink was considered a masculine color at one point.
Yes, they did. I think guyliner can look quite nice, done right. It doesn't have to be overblown or anything. It would certainly make you look different at the very least. I guess it's associated with certain stuff people don't want to be involved in, so whatever.
Many men on TV these days actually, are wearing makeup to look healthier under the lights and because TV exposes every pore and flaw in your face, they feel it is necessary. Same with most musical artists these days.