A reflective essay on femininity as a meaningful and skilled practice. The author explores how beauty, makeup, and personal styling—often dismissed as frivolous—are actually forms of labor, creativity, and cultural expression. Inspired by RuPaul’s Drag Race and beauty influencers like Minkey Mothabela, the piece reclaims femininity as a labor of love, rooted in resourcefulness, artistry, and resistance against shame. Citing feminist history and voices like Kathy Peiss, the post challenges outdated critiques and celebrates the transformative power of beauty work.

Beauty Is Work: The Labor of Love Behind Femininity

I used to think beauty was shallow—something done for the male gaze, or worse, to distract from “real” accomplishments. But somewhere between binge-watching RuPaul’s Drag Race and revisiting feminist history, I realized: femininity is work. It’s skilled, intentional, and yes—sometimes a labor of love. This isn’t just about lipstick and lashes. It’s about reclaiming power through self-presentation, honoring the creativity in “frivolous” things, and making peace with the parts

Apr 214 min read

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Beauty Is Work: The Labor of Love Behind Femininity

I used to think beauty was shallow—something done for the male gaze, or worse, to distract from “real” accomplishments. But somewhere between binge-watching RuPaul’s Drag Race and revisiting feminist history, I realized: femininity is work. It’s skilled, intentional, and yes—sometimes a labor of love. This isn’t just about lipstick and lashes. It’s about reclaiming power through self-presentation, honoring the creativity in “frivolous” things, and making peace with the parts

Apr 214 min read

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Book Cover of Eyeliner: A Cultural Historyby Zahir Hnkir

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Makeup Lessons Learned: How I Figured Out the Right Eyebrow and Eyeliner Colors for Medium-Deep Tones

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Building a YouTube Channel, Finding Love, and Understanding Climate Change

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This is a manicured hand with a tennis bracelet from Swarovski

I first learned about Swarovski while watching Phantom of the Opera, where they were thanked for providing the crystals for the chandelier in the opera theatre. The brand didn't cross my mind again until my parents gifted me a Swarovski watch for my graduation. My mother explained that giving a watch is her way of acknowledging the dignity and accomplishment that education brings. She often says, "An education is a woman’s petticoat," meaning it completes and enhances a person’s elegance. To complement the watch, I treated myself to a Swarovski bracelet, a daily reminder of my worth and the value of my education.

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Ellie Vilakazi look cool, sexy and confident

An air breathing, smoothie drinking, sneaker wearing, biltong eating, jewellery loving, shit talking, paper writing, nose picking, lover of books writing my thoughts on everything from the philosophy of make-up, to my lates crush on a writer!

Beauty Is Work: The Labor of Love Behind Femininity

FEATURED POST

TRAIN OF THOUGHT

Beauty Is Work: The Labor of Love Behind Femininity

Four Books on Beauty Culture and the Pioneers Who Shaped It

Makeup Lessons Learned: How I Figured Out the Right Eyebrow and Eyeliner Colors for Medium-Deep Tones

In Review: The List by Yomi Adegoke

Four Books: What to Read When you Have Not Read in a Long Time

Managing Stress with Beauty:Affordable Routines for When Life Gets Tough

Building a YouTube Channel, Finding Love, and Understanding Climate Change

MY PICK OF THE MONTH

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