Do They Wear Makeup On Handmaid's Tail

Makeup contains many contradictions relating to power and sexuality. It signifies femininity, the past, and Offred'south lost liberty to command her appearance. But others, like the Commander, call back that the lack of makeup is actually a source of freedom, since women now don't have to use their appearances to compete for mates. Nevertheless, the Commander enjoys going to Jezebel'southward, where every woman wears makeup with the hopes of attracting business organisation. Handmaids especially shouldn't try to exist cute, which would add some other layer of difficulty for the Wives and Commanders they serve. Notwithstanding Offred does her best to maintain her appearance, carefully saving her butter as moisturizing balm, even in a house with no mirrors.

Makeup Symbol Timeline in The Handmaid's Tale

The timeline below shows where the symbol Makeup appears in The Handmaid'southward Tale. The colored dots and icons point which themes are associated with that advent.

...home, although Serena Joy herself was non just a housewife. She wore a lot of makeup and cried dramatically. During that time, there were ii attempts on her life, and though... (total context)

...Handmaids. Aunt Lydia looked like God was appearing to her on a deject of pulverization makeup. (full context)

...in the present time, the Commander finishes reading. Offred imagines the bible pages feeling pulverization-paper makeup. Serena Joy silently cries. As Offred prays "Nolite te bastardes carborundorum," she remembers seeing Moira... (total context)

...shoe. She rubs the butter into her face up as moisturizer, since she isn't permitted any makeup of lotion, for the sake of the Wives. Offred learned about the butter at the... (full context)

...taking identify just next to her house. The elderly, dying mistress, wearing a lot of makeup, said in the interview that her lover was not a monster. Offred imagines in item... (full context)

...allowed to read it. Offred notes the almost masculine confidence of the supermodels, and their makeup. Though Aunt Lydia would detect this evil, Offred just finds it "naughty." (full context)

...go out, and she'due south excited to practice something so rebellious. He gives her some former makeup to apply, then a blueish hooded cloak of Serena Joy's. (full context)

...women in a multifariousness of sexy outfits, including pre-Gilead jogging gear, and they all wear makeup. The Commander thinks it looks like the past, but Offred finds that information technology feels very... (total context)

...for something, though she doesn't know what. Serena Joy shows her the blueish cloak with makeup smeared on it, and the sequined leotard. Serena Joy orders Offred to go upstairs, and... (full context)