5-2 Activity: Reflection: Self

Jennifer Moore

Southern New Hampshire University

IDS-404 Popular Culture

Professor Kozlowski

Understanding Mascara Use

For the outsider, mascara only presents itself as an item of beauty. That is usually the universal perception of mascara, where many see it as a beauty product. However, mascara use is much more than just beauty. It represents gender identity and the constant struggle between conservatives and liberals, where mascara and other beauty products are at the center of gender politics. To many in the LGBTQIA+, mascara is more than a beauty product, but is a symbol of affirming their gender (Mazzeti, 2022).

Mascara is also seen as a defiance of societal beauty standards. For a long time, mascara and other beauty products have become associated with beauty standards. There has been a swift change in the community, and many seek to change this perception of beauty (Marasca, 2020). The outsider can use mascara to understand society's struggle concerning beauty standards better. They can use it to comprehend better what beauty in society means and why there is a tussle among society concerning what is considered beautiful. This can also help to explain the economic shift and impacts that mascara and other beauty products have on society (Mazzeti, 2022).

Relation Between Mascara and My Field of Study

Mascara relates to my field of study with regard to its use in the community. My discipline involves an understanding of the community and various aspects that impact it. While several issues affect society, there are few that are as contentious as gender politics, which have ravaged the nation since the turn of the new millennium. Finances and economics have also affected societal dynamics (Radi et al., 2022). This means it is impossible to fully understand societal issues without reviewing the role that mascara and other beauty products play.

As a student in the field of sociology, it is essential to understand society from different aspects. Mascara presents a new lens through which a person can look at society. It allows me to understand society and how it works and gives me a fresh take on the issues that affect society. Sun Zu, the famous war strategist, once stated that if you know your enemy and yourself, you need not fear the result of a thousand battles (Tzu, 2008). In the battle for solving societal problems, understanding the problem is critical. This is why understanding the issue of mascara is vital.

Strategies to Use Critical Analysis to Meet my Personal and Professional Goals

This critical analysis provides knowledge on societal issues that many neglect. This analysis helps to provide insights into the issue and the appropriate ways to solve them (Radi et al., 2022). These insights also help outsiders look at complicated issues in a different light. Perception in problem-solving is critical, as it helps to ensure that a problem is properly attended to. The recommended strategy to meet my professional goal is to use this research to enlighten others concerning mascara's role. The goal is to use this research to understand societal issues, such as gender politics, to find proper solutions.

References

Marasca, D. X. (2020). Exporting and Moulding Ideals of Beauty: Boom of the South Korean Cosmetic Industry in the Era of Globalisation.

Mazzetti, M. S. (2022). Is the future of the cosmetic industry genderneutral?.

Radi, A. E. R. S., Renata, S., & Laurenzo, A. O. (2022, June). A Critical Discourse Analysis on Lily by Tsana Beauty Product Advertisements. In  English Language and Literature International Conference (ELLiC) Proceedings (Vol. 5, pp. 193-203).

Tzu, S. (2008). The art of war. In  Strategic Studies (pp. 63-91). Routledge.