HighCastle

b-mommy:

pepperpatrol:

theladyjess:

maeveschild:

high0castle:

b-mommy:

Bioware: Look at this image. This is a model heavily made-up for a photoshoot. 

See how she has a dark blush color used below her cheekbone as a contour color? That is what you have been doing in your character creators for years and years and years. But guess what? Blush doesn’t actually go there 99.9% of the time. Blush actually goes on the apples of the cheeks!

Most people who wear makeup and aren’t makeup artists or print or runway models don’t wear anything there at all! And even then, they generally don’t wear a blush shade (peach, pink, mauve, etc.), but a neutral shade that matches the natural play of shadow on the face. The point:

Is Shepard a makeup artist? No, of course not! She is a soldier. Contouring is some time consuming shit and she has things to do!

Stop putting blush in weird places.

This. I’ve never entirely seen the purpose of makeup sliders in any setting where your character is a soldier or in heavy combat. It’s just not practical. As someone who used to work outside twelve or thirteen hours a day, I can say just how easily dirt gets stuck in that gunk and clogs your pores. It’s not healthy and it’s often uncomfortable. Even leaving that aside, there’s the little matter of a character like Shepard having a lot more pressing needs than makeup. And what about military regulations? Sure, Shepard becomes a Spectre, but she starts out in the Alliance, and usually there are restrictions as to just what you can wear.

This might sound like me complaining about a lack of realism. Sure, that’s part of it. But there’s a larger principle here. I think there’s something a little troubling about needing femme!Shep to look like a runway model while m!Shep is battle-scarred and completely natural. Maybe I wouldn’t get so bent out of shape about this if m!Shep could rock some eyeliner or paint a star on his face. Sound ridiculous? Sound like he should have better things to do than make himself into a member of Kiss? That’s kind of the point. If it’s ridiculous for one gender than it’s most likely the same for the other.

 If people would like to protest adding makeup to Bioware men, I’m all for it.  But the whole point of make-up ‘sliders’ is that your Shepard doesn’t have to have any.  I know female soldiers; minimal makeup is allowed in the regs and many take advantage.  Shepard has the right to take the time to put on lipstick if she wants.  We aren’t going to argue if she has time to brush her teeth — and lipstick takes less time than that.

I will add though that I don’t personally wear blush because it makes me look stupid, it would be nice to have Bethesda style color sliders with top of cheeks and bottom of cheeks.

Adding to what Maeveschild said. Where people get the idea that soldiers aren’t allowed to wear makeup or have long hair is beyond me.

on makeup…

“the requirement for standards regarding cosmetics is necessary to maintain uniformity and to avoid an extreme or unmilitary appearance. Females are authorized to wear cosmetics with all uniforms, provided they are applied conservatively and in good taste and complement the uniform. Leaders at all levels must exercise good judgment in the enforcement of this policy.

Females may wear cosmetics if they are conservative and complement the uniform and their complexion. Eccentric, exaggerated, or trendy cosmetic styles and colors, to include makeup designed to cover tattoos, are inappropriate with the uniform and are prohibited. Permanent makeup, such as eyebrow or eyeliner, is authorized as long as the makeup conforms to the standards outlined above.

Females will not wear shades of lipstick and nail polish that distinctly contrast with their complexion, that detract from the uniform, or that are extreme. Some examples of extreme colors include, but are not limited to, purple, gold, blue, black, white, bright (fire-engine) red, khaki, camouflage colors, and fluorescent colors. Soldiers will not apply designs to nails or apply two-tone or multi-tone colors to nails.”

And on hair…

“

Females will ensure their hair is neatly groomed, that the length and bulk of the hair are not excessive, and that the hair does not present a ragged, unkempt, or extreme appearance. Likewise, trendy styles that result in shaved portions of the scalp (other than the neckline) or designs cut into the hair are prohibited. Females may wear braids and cornrows as long as the braided style is conservative, the braids and cornrows lie snugly on the head, and any hairholding devices comply with the standards below. Dreadlocks (unkempt, twisted, matted individual parts of hair) are prohibited in uniform or in civilian clothes on duty. Hair will not fall over the eyebrows or extend below the bottom edge of the collar at any time during normal activity or when standing in formation. Long hair that falls naturally below the bottom edge of the collar, to include braids, will be neatly and inconspicuously fastened or pinned, so no free-hanging hair is visible. This includes styles worn with the physical fitness uniform/improved physical fitness uniform (PFU/IPFU).

Styles that are lopsided or distinctly unbalanced are prohibited. Ponytails, pigtails, or braids that are not secured to the head (allowing hair to hang freely), widely spaced individual hanging locks, and other extreme styles that protrude from the head are prohibited. Extensions, weaves, wigs, and hairpieces are authorized; however, these additions must have the same general appearance as the individual’s natural hair. Additionally, any wigs, extensions, hairpieces, or weaves must comply with the grooming policies set forth in this paragraph.

Females will ensure that hairstyles do not interfere with proper wear of military headgear and protective masks or equipment at any time. When headgear is worn, the hair will not extend below the bottom edge of the front of the headgear, nor will it extend below the bottom edge of the collar.

Hair-holding devices are authorized only for the purpose of securing the hair. Soldiers will not place hairholding devices in the hair for decorative purposes. All hair-holding devices must be plain and of a color as close to the soldier’s hair as is possible or clear. Authorized devices include, but are not limited to, small, plain scrunchies (elastic hair bands covered with material), barrettes, combs, pins, clips, rubber bands, and hair bands. Devices that are conspicuous, excessive, or decorative are prohibited. Some examples of prohibited devices include, but are not limited to, large, lacy scrunchies; beads, bows, or claw clips; clips, pins, or barrettes with butterflies, flowers, sparkles, gems, or scalloped edges; and bows made from hairpieces.

Oh look. They can have long hair and makeup as long as it’s kept neat and conservative while on duty. Even extensions and weaves!!

Like Maeve said. If you don’t want YOUR Shepherd/Warden/Hawke whatever to have makeup, turn the slider to Zero and move on. If you don’t want her to have long fancy hair, choose something else. But don’t  use the real life military as an example when the standards you assume are not in face true.

PLEASE STOP FORCING YOUR FIGHT AGAINST THE PATRIARCHY ON EVERYTHING. GUESS WHAT? THIS DEMONIZES FEMINISM AS MUCH AS ANYTHING ELSE. WHY IS WEARING MAKE -UP BAD? IT IS TOO STEREOTYPICALLY GIRLY FOR YOU? DID YOU KNOW SOME WOMEN WEAR MAKE UP BECAUSE THEY LIKE IT AND NOT BECAUSE THE PATRIARCHY FORCED THEM TOO.

THANK YOU. HAVE A NICE DAY.

The first part of the post had caps lock on on accident and i just decided to keep it. Also this is a really pretty model. Who is she? I might use her for…Erm. Anatomy study.

Broodmother PR Rep: Oh, this is…not where this conversation was meant to go. I do cosplay and special effects makeup in my spare time and my original comment was basically just meant to point out that that isn’t what blush is and that color doesn’t really go under the cheekbone in everyday makeup looks because contouring is a really involved process. Not that soldiers can’t or shouldn’t wear makeup! I don’t know where the patriarchy came into play here but there has been a big misunderstanding.

Clarification time: I’m not against wearing makeup and I’m not trying to demonize that. The point I was trying to make was that it’s unrealistic to expect femme!Shep to go into battle looking like a model. The type of makeup and the extent of it was the issue, as it reinforces the idea that a woman needs to look a certain way to be considered valuable. We don’t expect men to adhere to those standards. Yes, conservative makeup is allowed in the armed services. Key word there is “conservative.” There are also times when putting on that makeup is not going to be feasible. This is the difference between life on a base at home and life on or near the front lines.

Again, though, the makeup itself is not the issue. It’s the double standard.