Let’s Get Real
If there’s one thing that women have to deal with every day, it’s facing the reality versus the expectations of what it’s like to be a woman.
Movies would lead you to believe that long-haired people wake up in the morning looking just as put together as they did at 3pm yesterday. In reality, the tossing and turning you do in your sleep can create quite a suprise in the mirror in the morning.
Growing Up
Most young girls have a Barbie or two around to play with, and we’re sure they’re popular again with the movie taking off so much.
They’re up to your imagination, so you can create completely unique storylines. Some feelings about it are universal, though. We all had a moment where we looked from one way to another to make sure our parents weren’t looking before making the Barbies share a kiss that felt very scandalous at the time.
Okay, Maybe a Little Guidance
No one really wants to be told what to do all the time. There’s a degree of independence that’s important in order to make your own choices.
On the other hand, once in a while, we could stand a little guidance and that’s not limited to just women either! When you’re growing up, there’s an expectation that one day, you’ll be one of the adults with all the answers. The reality is much more confusing.
Looking Effortless
Women do a lot to look great and effortless. Sometimes, you have to take a second to admire how much effort goes into that “effortless” look.
What you can’t see under the outfit is the chafing thighs or the blisters from a set of uncomfortable shoes. Sometimes, the only way to deal with it is to give yourself some time to veg out when you get home and give your body a break from being fabulous.
Just Trying to Get Ready
Given that a lot of women wear their hair long, that can sometimes come with some extra time to work it into shape in the morning then a little gel in a shortcut.
On the other hand, it can sometimes seem like your hair looks its best even when you don’t do anything to it. If only you could look in the mirror and see that first thing in the morning instead of right before you’re about to take it down.
Speaking of Hair
While we’re on the topic of long hair, as gorgeous as it can be, certain things about it can start to get on your nerves from time to time.
For instance, lip gloss is a great way to give yourself a pop of color, and it’s easy to take on the go and apply as needed! The only challenge is wearing the lip gloss with any amount of wind when you go outside. That is, unless you want to add some texture to your lip look.
Bangs are Hard to Nail Down
There are some looks that have gotten a bad reputation for being hard to pull off. Who hasn’t impulsively tried to drastically change their look with some bangs?
Then again, they don’t often work out the way that we’d hope they would. While on some, they manage to work perfectly to frame their face and give them that glowing look — on others, it tends to give us memories of school picture days when we look in the mirror.
They’ve Got You Distressed
When you want to shake up how your jeans look, distressed jeans have long been an option to set yourself apart. With plenty of distressed options, you don’t even have to spend time on a DIY.
If you like a pair of distressed skinny jeans, though, you’re going to run into the issue that most women have dealt with in the same fashion position. Your jeans look great, but when you turn to the side, you can see how much comfort you’re sacrificing in the name of style.
We All Have One
One of the things about being a woman that isn’t the most well-loved part is wearing a bra. If you wear one, you know that there’s a gross truth.
Even the neatest person in the world might have a bra that they wear every day, and — let’s be honest — who has the time to do laundry every day? So, if you’re like a lot of us, you’ll want to maybe throw it in the wash.
What Happened Here?
If there’s one thing that can really trick you when you’re out shopping for clothes, it’s the difference that you might see between how it looks on you and the mannequin
It makes sense when you think about it. How many mannequins have you seen that have proportions that are common on real people? So, you might see some differences, especially since most stores use one type of mannequin for each section. So, you aren’t seeing it on a variety of real bodies.
Trying a New Look
When it comes to finding new looks, it’s not just mannequins that might mislead you. After all, the same makeup look won’t look the same on everyone.
Plus, all your favorite celebrities have teams to make sure their makeup looks perfect at all times. So, don’t forget to give yourself some grace for the learning curve that comes with a new look. The first attempt is often a bit disheartening, as this comic shows.
Feeling Hot
There are some things that seem really, really attractive in theory. You might see a piece of clothing that looks like it would be the most flattering thing on the planet.
Then again, there is a problem there. While something like this pair of underwear looks really great, thin lace isn’t the most comfortable material for that piece of clothing. Plus, the way a thong sits on the body isn’t exactly built for comfort. This is a pretty good artistic rendition of the feeling.
Not Realistic
Look, commercials are designed to make sure that the product a company is selling looks ideal. That being said, sometimes realism falls out the window.
Take a razor commercial. It’s hard to tell how great a razor is when it’s gliding over an already-shaved leg — often somehow comfortably dry shaving to boot. In reality, we can only wish that shaving was that idyllic rather than a struggle that can get bloody.
It’s a Hard Time
If there’s one thing that can really bring your week to a grinding halt, it’s a visit from Aunt Flo. After all, it comes with a lot of strife of its own.
On top of not feeling well, the whole process messes with your hormones, making you feel more emotional than usual. That can mean that you might feel a little differently about yourself for a week or so, but we promise you’ll make it through!
Just a Little More
As we’ve said, doing makeup isn’t as easy and flawless as it looks on the red carpet because most of us aren’t makeup artists and don’t have a team of them in our homes.
This means that doing your own makeup can be an imperfect process, especially since people tend to aim for perfect symmetry. There’s nothing that quite shows you how easy it is to spot asymmetry than trying to nail the perfect cat eye.
At the End of the Day
No matter how hard you worked on your look and how proud of it you are, odds are there’s some sacrifice of comfort for beauty, even if it’s just wearing pants and a bra.
That being said, once your look has done its job and gotten you through the day, there’s something really relaxing about getting it all off. That unrestricted flop onto the bed or couch is a surefire signal that it’s time to relax.
Trust the Process
There are some situations in which you really want to see results right away, and that makes sense! The only thing is that some things do come with a waiting period.
If you’ve ever tried to tackle your acne with new skincare products, you’ve probably learned a few hard lessons in “it’ll get worse before it gets better.” You just gotta stick through once you find the right thing, but it can be disheartening.
No Need to Compare
With the popularity of social media rising every day, it’s easier than ever to keep up with what your friends from years ago are up to today.
While this can help foster long-term connections, it can also lead you to compare yourself to old classmates. Honestly, we can see happiness in both these photos, just so long as the woman in the second picture keeps the answer reasonable enough to stay safe.
It Never Lasts
For those women who enjoy the feeling of a smooth, shaved leg, there are a few things that you’ve probably learned to be true. For one, it seems that the time your legs stay shaved is incredibly small.
Sometimes, it seems like it manages to grow back in the time it takes you to finish shaving your leg. After a while, you might wonder if there’s any way out of the Sisyphiaian task or if you’re just bound to have some hairy spots no matter how hard you try.
All in Moderation
Online shopping is one of those things where you have to really remind yourself to follow your budget and get what you need.
After all, marketing has gotten rather sophisticated. So, all of those ads and recommended items on the sides of the page are more personalized for you than ever. Planetprudence managed to capture the struggle so accurately here, we have to wonder if she’s seen footage of us shopping around!
Wait, She’s Got a Point
We’ve already talked a bit about how your period can make you feel like you need a little extra TLC, even if it’s just from yourself on a day to rest.
One thing that seems to help those awful feelings is a treat that fits your craving perfectly. We think this artist is really onto something with this idea. If a tampon brand were to include this coupon with a purchase, they’d probably become the most popular brand overnight.
Thanks, Babe
When you want to remember something fondly, sometimes you want to whip out your phone and capture it in stunning perfection so you’ll remember it perfectly.
Sometimes, though, it can seem like while you’re centered on perfection in these photos, your boyfriend might be more focused on a candid shot. It might not be the most glamorous, but it’s sweet to see that he sees you as gorgeous no matter what.
This One’s for the Plant Ladies
There’s something cathartic about having a few plants in your home that you can keep alive. Plus, it literally livens up the space.
However, that good feeling can get so tempting after a while to keep going after it. With that in mind, it doesn’t take long to collect so many that you might wonder if you have room for anything else. Even the dog here can see that things have reached their limit.
Always There for Each Other
Having a group of friends that you can turn to in your time of need is really helpful. Of course, there are a few things to remember.
For one, asking your friends a question like this isn’t exactly the type of “peer review” that scientists are always pushing for. That’s why you need this third friend around — a voice of reason that can support you while adding some practical wisdom to the situation.
As We Age
When you’re young, there’s a lot of fun in heading out to go dancing for a night. You probably even had the energy to do the whole thing in heels, too.
As you get older, that scene starts to wear out, and you find new interests. As for this artist, they managed to pretty accurately capture how hangouts with your friends may change as you all grow up. Maybe it’s time to opt for a girls’ night in!
We’re All Doing Our Best
The internet has opened up all sorts of possibilities when it comes to sharing new ideas. After all, it’s easier than ever to find a new recipe or tutorial.
On the other hand, there are a few things that stand in the way. For one, not every tutorial is as easy as it’s made out to be. Like makeup, it’s an art that takes practice. That doesn’t always leave you from being disappointed when things don’t turn out right.
Starting School
When you start college, you probably are all ready to go with a stack of plans ripped right from your favorite coming-of-age movies.
On the other hand, reality means that you do have to balance fun with studies, and the balance usually isn’t even. While you might have dreamed of sorority friendships and parties, you might be surprised just how much of your time will be spent exhausted with a book.
All in the Imagination
When you’re home alone, it’s your time to shine. It’s time to turn on your favorite tunes and start to turn on a show for an imaginary audience.
This is your chance to play pretend as an adult, so it’s all about having fun no matter how you look in the moment. Even if you’re dripping wet from the shower, dancing with a towel, nothing can stop you from feeling like Britney Spears.
It Makes You Miss the Old Ones
When you’re doing your hair and like to wear it up, you’ll notice that after a while, your hair ties start to struggle to keep up at their job.
What’s the solution? A new pack of hair ties, of course! That doesn’t mean that your new hair ties are without a problem. After all, there is a benefit to how comfortable a well-worn hair tie can be compared to how tight a new one is.
How Is This Happening?
If you like to wear makeup, you’ve probably invested in a few products that promise to make your lashes look fuller and more glamorous.
On the contrary, there are some people who seem like they’d never have to spend a dime if they wanted the same look. It’s often the people who don’t give much thought to their lashes that seem the most naturally gifted. That’s something that this artist, Bella, managed to capture well.
The Secret Behind Long Sweaters
Let’s be honest — no matter who you are, your cute clothes don’t always work well with big, delicious meals. What do you do if you want to enjoy a meal and look cute?
Listen, just this once, we’ll show you the tricks of the trade for women. Not only are those long sweaters really cute, but they’re great for this restaurant trick. If you need a little extra room, you can loosen the buttons a bit.
Glad We Could Spend This Time Together
There’s this stereotypical image of women that you may have seen in a movie or commercial where relaxing entails cute clothes and an aesthetic scene.
While that might look tempting, that’s not how things go in real life when things are happening. Who hasn’t tried to spend some time with their beloved pet only for them to really ruin the moment?
It All Changes So Fast
When it comes to growing older, it can seem like you’re hanging out and enjoying being young one day and wondering if you’re already old the next.
If you’re only 26, though, don’t panic! It’s a hard time where you have to do a lot of learning, so it doesn’t always feel as fun as promised. Don’t give up yet, though, because even if you don’t feel like clubbing as much, your best days are still ahead!
Stop Asking Questions
At certain moments in life, you really want people to just accept that you’re being as nonchalant as you’re trying to be. Periods happen, but sometimes you just don’t feel like sharing with the whole group.
Anyone with periods can tell you that this move is a familiar one. After all, there are certain supplies that you might need when you go to the bathroom during that time of the month. It’d be nice if everyone could politely not draw attention to it!
There’s Only So Much Room
If you really want to see what color of makeup looks like on you, you can swatch it. Most people do this on the inside of their arm with a sample.
It can really take some trial and error to find the right shade, though, and you only have so much room on your arm to test things out. Maybe you can get a general idea of what lipstick might look like on someone else, even if the results aren’t as exact.
A Humbling Experience
If you want to talk about an outfit that looks great and makes getting ready a breeze, it’s easy to see why rompers and jumpsuits have skyrocketed in popularity.
There are some drawbacks to the process, though. For one, while it makes getting ready easy, running to the bathroom in the middle of the day becomes a very humbling experience very quickly! It’s hard to feel glamorous with your whole outfit at your ankles.
There’s a Cost There
Bathing suits can get really creative now — gone are the days of monotonous one-pieces and simple bikinis being your only options.
There are some bathing suits that have unintended consequences, though. Specifically, we’d recommend opting for a pattern you really like and wouldn’t mind wearing around until your sunburn or tan fades. It’s probably best to slather on the sunscreen liberally with these outfits.
There’s no one way to be a woman. However, that doesn’t mean that a lot of us don’t share common experiences that tie us together. These artists used their skills to create some of the most brutally honest pictures of womanhood that made us laugh out loud and go, “Yeah, that’s about right.”