Eye fixation fuelled by mask mandate

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This article was published 20/07/2021 (1850 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I’m a man who needs help understanding why a large number of women obsess over eyebrows.

They try plucking them, but getting them straight is close to impossible, leading to a botched job. Others pluck the works, then draw a line with eyebrow pencil, which is equally weird to look at. A new trend is to tattoo a set onto the brow.

In my opinion, wise ones embrace what they have. Shouldn’t we be encouraging a natural look? — Embrace the Brows, Winnipeg

Dear Embrace: Since COVID struck, women have gone out of the house wearing masks that cover everything but the eyes. Forget the cheek colour and lipstick that would smear under the mask — and not be seen by anyone anyway. Lipstick sales tanked.

Makeup manufacturers and style creators in the beleaguered beauty business had to quickly make eyes “the Big Deal” — since they were now the only deal.

So brows became bigger and more dramatic and people who would never have bothered with false eyelashes bought them and glued them on when they went out. Buying palettes of colourful eyeshadows became a big deal, too.

Going into shops that do semi-permanent eyelashes was was out of the question, so smart manufacturers pushed frankly fake, long and often curly lashes you could easily stick on yourself.

And here’s the thing — nobody was even trying to achieve a natural look. Drama above that mask was everything.

It’ll be interesting to see what will happen with the big brow and lash craze once the masks come off for good and the rest of the face can be seen again. Perhaps the dramatic brows you can’t stand will go away — and you can heave a sigh of relief.

Speaking of fashion, men are into fashion these days with “fades” (shaved hair up the sides and/or back) and pompadours on top. Beards were a bit of hassle under masks or trailing beneath them. Who knows what will happen when men are free of masks? Will beards and longer hair be back again?

The best idea, dear sir, is to relax and enjoy the passing show of fashion because we’re no doubt in for more change post-pandemic, when people feel free and excited to fully express themselves — and the beauty business looks to recoup its losses.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I have a very sweet girlfriend who’s in love with me and she wants us to “go to the next stage,” which involves making plans for a future together. But I don’t even want to live with her— or anybody else — because I need quiet and privacy to study.

When she says she’s in love with me, I go quiet and say nothing, as it’s awkward. I’m a single man and intend to stay that way until I’m in my 30s. I’m going through very intensive study at university which will last another four years or more, before I can practise.

She’s very nice and I don’t want to be totally alone, although that may be where I’m headed as she’s getting impatient. I’m aware COVID restrictions are lifting bit by bit, and she will have options as she’s very beautiful inside and out.

Please help me sort this out. — Heading for a Professional Career, Downtown

Dear Heading: Though you’re fond of this woman and attracted to her physically, you’re obviously not smitten — certainly not head-over-heels in love with her. You’d know it by now, as strong love tends to hit a person over the head, and you’re sounding way too casual and rational.

So why waste her time, and yours? You’ll meet women in your classes and will likely have much more in common with them, including the studying and heavy workload.

Don’t worry! It’s not a choice of being with this woman or having nobody. You need to clear the decks for a bit, throw your energy into studying for your career, and see who you’ll meet as part of your exciting new world.

Please send your questions and comments to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6.

Miss Lonelyhearts
Advice Columnist

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