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Makeup: The Rules
Lipstick gets called out in particular. "Females will not wear shades of lipstick that distinctly contrast their complexion, that detract from the uniform, or that are extreme," meaning lip colors in purple, gold, blue, black, white, bright (fire-engine) red, khaki, and fluorescent colors." We may be clinging harder to our NARS velvet matte lip pencil, but like with all rules, there are bigger things at play. "While I love colors and glitz, I'm focused on the mission just like the next professional when on duty," says Baer. "This means dressing within regulations just like the next service member."
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Makeup: The Reality
However, she does feel that women need to use some judgment when putting on makeup. "For example, I wouldn't cake on a pound of makeup and bright, red lipstick just to go take a Physical Fitness Test. In that instance, I'd be wearing no makeup at all, but you'd be surprised...there are some girls," Peterson says.
To stay within guidelines, Frost looks to Revlon products for the brand's range of neutral and natural colors. For lips that weather wind, sun and dirt: "Burt's Bees has a great line of lip glosses that provide just the right hint of color and sunscreen."
If you're a traveler looking for an all-around winner, Baer looks to Bare Escentuals and Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Palette, $52, for its versatility.
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Nails: The Rules
When it comes to polishes, cult favorite "Ballet Slippers" is probably the best bet as the code states "females will not wear shades of nail polish that distinctly contrast their complexion, that detract from the uniform, or that are extreme." What qualifies as extreme? Main offenders include -- but are not limited to -- purple, gold, blue, black, white, bright red, khaki, camouflage colors, and fluorescent colors ... so the majority of our fall nail polish roundup is out. The same goes for any nail art: any designs, two-tone, or multi-tone colors are out of the question.
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Nails: The Reality
"Combat pedicures were my favorite," says Robson. As a medic, Robson and her tent-mates would pool the goodies sent from home (i.e. nail polish colors, scrubs and foam toe separators) and gave the traditional slumber party mani/pedi an update. "The evolution started with boiling water in an electric tea pot and dragging this tea pot through the area [where] we stabilized patients to the back room used for training/PT/and Sunday pedicures." They used plastic pink basins from their medical supply stash to soak their toes.
The water that they dipped their toes in, however, didn't come from a faucet, but packages of plastic water bottles. "These liter bottles weigh about 6 pounds a package, and you'd always try to carry as many as possible to avoid return visits to the water supply area. So I don't know if you can imagine at least eight plastic liter bottles lined next to four pink basins, candy, nail polish, scrubbing tools scattered on a plywood floor, surrounded by plywood walls, and giggling girls. This was truly the best pedicure a girl could get in Afghanistan."
As for the polish that Robson eagerly waited for in her care packages? "OPI! That stuff is good ... even in heavy boots and 120 degree weather."
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Fearless, Graceful, Gruff, and Tough
"Just like outside the military, women in the service are diverse. There are tomboys, girly girls, athletes, and a mix of all of those," says Baer. "I believe we can be both fearless and graceful, or gruff and tough -- depending on the individual. Authenticity is powerful and impactful, and there is total beauty in that." Couldn't have said (or written) it better myself.
When you're on the front lines of battle, there's plenty to worry about. You have to be on constant alert for snipers, sneak attacks and hidden explosives. What you're not so concerned about is a bad hair day or a broken nail. Still, that doesn't mean beauty products and rituals have no place in female soldiers' daily lives.
Earlier this year, the Pentagon removed its ban on women serving in combat positions. This groundbreaking ruling opened up more than 200,000 positions for women in front-lines jobs, such as tankers and infantryman
While women finally gained equal footing in the armed forces -- at least on paper -- clouds of doubt still hover over their ability to measure up to their male counterparts. To complicate matters, female Israel Defense Force officers made news this past summer for their petition to expand manicure options and polish colors. Though this may seem like two steps back for women and their place on the battlefield, women on the front lines defend their right to a proper mani. When we spoke to Army Lieutenant Colonel Candice Frost, Air Force Major Ashley Baer, Air Force Officer Sarah Peterson, and Army Medic Kristie Robson, they insisted that refusing to compromise society's idea of femininity -- even in fatigues, and even in battle -- empowers women.
"Some women may feel pressured to conform to a masculine standard at some point in their careers. But I believe all women eventually face a point where they decide what is comfortable for them in terms of how they look," says Army Lieutenant Colonel Candice Frost. Early on, I found it's possible to express my individuality and femininity in different ways." Whether that means wearing more dresses during time off or packing a curl amplifier when abroad, it's about feeling comfortable and confident in high-stress situations.
We may use the hypothetical desert island game to pare down our product picks to our absolute essentials, but these women have lived it daily. I took a look at the Army Regulation 6701-1 on Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insigina, and talked to theses servicewomen to learn how their usual beauty routine has morphed to meet army guidelines. For these women, it's not about hoarding products to cover up sun spots or make your eyes pop -- it's about taking everyday products and turning them into a source of comfort and empowerment in a traditionally male-dominated world.
While women finally gained equal footing in the armed forces -- at least on paper -- clouds of doubt still hover over their ability to measure up to their male counterparts. To complicate matters, female Israel Defense Force officers made news this past summer for their petition to expand manicure options and polish colors. Though this may seem like two steps back for women and their place on the battlefield, women on the front lines defend their right to a proper mani. When we spoke to Army Lieutenant Colonel Candice Frost, Air Force Major Ashley Baer, Air Force Officer Sarah Peterson, and Army Medic Kristie Robson, they insisted that refusing to compromise society's idea of femininity -- even in fatigues, and even in battle -- empowers women.
"Some women may feel pressured to conform to a masculine standard at some point in their careers. But I believe all women eventually face a point where they decide what is comfortable for them in terms of how they look," says Army Lieutenant Colonel Candice Frost. Early on, I found it's possible to express my individuality and femininity in different ways." Whether that means wearing more dresses during time off or packing a curl amplifier when abroad, it's about feeling comfortable and confident in high-stress situations.
We may use the hypothetical desert island game to pare down our product picks to our absolute essentials, but these women have lived it daily. I took a look at the Army Regulation 6701-1 on Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insigina, and talked to theses servicewomen to learn how their usual beauty routine has morphed to meet army guidelines. For these women, it's not about hoarding products to cover up sun spots or make your eyes pop -- it's about taking everyday products and turning them into a source of comfort and empowerment in a traditionally male-dominated world.