Fionnuala Jones Reflects on Beauty Standards and Personal Change

Fionnuala Jones, a 30-year-old content creator, recently opened up about the pressures of beauty standards and their impact on her professional life. In a candid reflection, she expressed how the comments regarding her appearance in a video review of a television show made her feel frustrated. Jones, who once dedicated significant time to her makeup routine, now finds herself grappling with societal expectations as she navigates her career in the public eye.

In her teenage years, Jones was committed to a meticulous morning makeup regimen. She recalls waking up early to apply layers of foundation and kohl eyeliner, striving to achieve the perfect look for school. As she transitioned into her twenties, her approach to beauty shifted. She found confidence in embracing her natural appearance, often appearing on camera without makeup. This transformation was not a deliberate statement but rather a reflection of her evolving self-acceptance.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic further altered her relationship with beauty. During lockdowns, Jones felt less inclined to wear makeup or style her hair for virtual meetings. The time-consuming rituals of beauty became burdensome, and she began to question the necessity of adhering to traditional standards. “I had stopped paying the appearance tax — or ‘makeup tax,’ as it’s sometimes called,” she noted, highlighting the societal pressure on women to invest time and money in their looks.

Jones recently experienced setbacks in her career, losing opportunities she was enthusiastic about. The feedback was vague, but she couldn’t help but wonder if her appearance played a role in those decisions. “Was it because I hadn’t tanned? Should I have blow dried my hair?” she questioned, reflecting on the invisible conversations that may occur about her looks in professional settings.

The beauty industry places a heavy financial burden on women. Recent research indicates that a woman will spend over €21,000 in her lifetime on beauty products and services. Jones emphasizes the irony in this expenditure, questioning the relevance of lip shades and makeup when it comes to professional capabilities.

As she schedules her necessary beauty appointments, Jones feels a sense of resentment. She observes that male counterparts in her industry do not face the same societal pressures to conform to beauty standards. “No man in my industry spends as much time as I, or any other woman, does in the salon chair,” she said.

Although she acknowledges that some men care about their appearance, Jones feels that the societal expectation for women to maintain a certain look is burdensome. She recognizes her own privilege in being straight-sized, yet she expresses a desire for a world where appearance does not dictate one’s worth or opportunities.

Ultimately, Jones’s reflections serve as a reminder that no one’s existence should be conditional on their looks. The pressure to conform to beauty standards can be overwhelming, and she encourages others to challenge these norms and embrace their true selves. The comments about her skin, she explains, are simply a reflection of broader societal issues that need to be addressed.