Alison Holst
Professor Buno
Writing For The Social Sciences 9 March, 2023

Cover Letter

In writing the classmate interview essay, I intended for the readers to not only receive an understanding of Shefa’s subculture, makeup, but also an understanding of how this subject reveals insights into her personality. More than just understanding, I intend for readers to get somewhat of a vivid picture of Shefa, through her relationship with makeup. When speaking of the readers I am intending to reach, I am referring to fellow classmates and Professor Buno.

When I first met with Shefa it was over zoom during class time. At this first meeting we did not really get into the major questions, and we rather just greeted each other and got accustomed to each other. Discovering we both lived in the CCNY dorms, made us decide to meet up a separate time in person. Both of these interactions were quite easy, as we were able to spark interesting conversation. In order to translate the notes I took about Shefa, I emphasized making conclusions and analysis from the notes, rather than merely summarizing the conversation. Throughout this process I worked with trying to balance summary and conclusions and analysis from the content of the interview. I also had to decide what background information was essential to understanding Shefa and what details I could leave out.

Something I learned about myself throughout this process is that I enjoy learning about other people and about their experiences. I also learned that I enjoyed writing in an interview style. I enjoyed the process of the interview which involved collecting my data and then getting to write it out in a formal manner. Therefore, I found this assignment quite enjoyable. It never

felt overly difficult, or like a huge burden to complete. It was actually quite intriguing to complete this process.

One thing I’d like to improve on after writing this, is working on becoming more clear with the conclusions that I am making. For example I feel as though I can be wordy, which confuses the analysis and doesn’t get straight to the point. I also was able to make improvements along the way thanks to my peer review, and my own revision process. One thing from my peer review I implemented into the essay was a photo section within the essay. Prior to receiving feedback I had just pasted the pictures at the bottom of the document. After the peer review I realized that I should probably implement them somewhere before the conclusion, as well as organize them in an appealing manner.

A learning outcome I believe I worked on through completing this assignment was “formulate and articulate a stance through and in your writing.” I feel as though a major focus of mine when writing this assignment was focused on capturing Shefa and making analytical conclusions about the information she would tell me about herself and her subculture. I was also very focused on giving more than a superficial view of subculture, but rather how it reflects bigger themes of Shefa’s life. Therefore, through working on this essay I was able to work at achieving this learning outcome.

Interview Essay

Shefa and I met for the first time over Zoom, during English class. Both of our cameras were on which would lead us to make a crucial connection for our interview. Shefa had dark hair, and looked very put together. Through observing my background, Shefa recognized the style of my room and concluded that I lived in the CCNY dorm building. We immediately clicked after

that, and were excited to further our conversation. From our zoom conversation and eventual meet up in person I would come to learn many insights about Shefa and her makeup subculture.

Upon First Glance

When I first met with Shefa we were both on zoom in our dorm rooms. Through observing my background Shefa had asked me if I lived in the CCNY dorms, to which I said “yes.” This was an extremely important realization that would help fuel the rest of our conversation and the connection we developed throughout it. Much of our first meeting never really met the formal stage of asking questions, because we were just too enveloped in greeting each other, and trying to find more about each other. We talked about where we were from, how we liked living in the dorms, our experiences with going to CCNY and much more. Right away from this conversation I was able to pick up on a lot of traits of Shefa’s. One noticeable thing about Shefa is that she is a social and outgoing person. I immediately picked up on this from the way she was carrying herself throughout the conversation. She seemed to never feel awkward, or speak in an awkward manner, which put me and the entire conversation at ease. Shefa brought an energy to the conversation that was more friendly and engaging, then the more serious tone I approached the conversation with. She asked me many questions, and was genuinely curious to hear the answers. When class time ran out, and our Zoom conversation came to a close, we decided to meet up within the dorms to have our formal interview together.

The Main Meetup

Shefa and I met up in our dorm lobby. We both were in very comfortable clothes, which reflected our comfortability with each other going into the interview. While looking comfortable,

Shefa still looked put together. Upon first sitting down together Shefa introduced the idea for me to come to her room to take pictures of her makeup, and asked if she could take pictures of things that related to my subculture as well. Her outgoing nature led her to make this suggestion without hesitation and thus allowed for both of us to have a better interviewing experience. After establishing we would go to each other’s rooms to take pictures, we decided to ask our questions first. We sat in the lobby section of the floor Shefa lived on. She lived on the 8th floor, two floors above me. It was quiet, and remained just the two of us for most of the interview, with the appearance of a few stragglers coming off the elevator next to us at times. Despite this we never felt interrupted, and the interview went smoothly. Shefa answered all of my questions about makeup, and other things, with great detail and enjoyment. After asking Shefa all of my questions and feeling great about her answers, and the insights they revealed, she allowed me to enter her room where the next part of our interview began.

Shefa’s Relationship to Makeup

I began the formal interview by asking Shefa preliminary questions such as where she was from, what her major was, and other things of that nature. She explained she was from Bangladesh, which would prove to play an important role in her relationship to makeup. I then inquired about when makeup was first introduced to her. She revealed she was first introduced to makeup by her aunt, who would put makeup on her when she would visit Bangladesh as a child. She further explained that the culture surrounding makeup in Bangladesh is much different. She explained how “the culture sees makeup as less of a hobby and more as an essential or vital activity.” The reason Shefa’s aunt would put makeup on her was because she so badly wanted to give birth to a girl, but had only given birth to a son. After revealing her early stages with

makeup Shefa really began to explain the evolution of her relationship with makeup, through the guidance of my questions. As a younger child Shefa began doing her own makeup, going to the drug store, and trying to complete the tutorials inside the box. She realized after a mean comment from a cousin that her looks didn’t look quite nice. From here Shefa became interested in trying to do makeup that actually looked good, as she explained. In trying to do this Shefa would watch YouTube channels, as well as buy tutorial books (one of which she would show me when I went to her room). After becoming a master at creating makeup looks Shefa then evolved again deciding she wanted to do makeup that suited her face and highlighted her good features. She revealed that there is much technique and thought that goes into doing this. To acquire the techniques to adopt such skills she began looking towards professional advice, from industry professionals or technique books.

Shefa’s evolution with makeup seems to be a natural one, that is reflective of someone who is growing up and trying to find their way. Today Shefa has a very balanced and well-rounded relationship with makeup. It never feels like a necessity or crutch to Shefa, as she explained she “I never feel like I have to wear it”. Much of what she decides to put on on a given day is dependent on her mood. For example, Shefa explained that if she is in a bad mood she is much less inclined to spend effort in making it look good, and will sometimes even make her makeup look bad on purpose (I found this very interesting). On most days Shefa explains that she does minimal makeup, and only does enough to highlight her features, and the act of doing this makes her feel good. She explained this process as a creative outlet and similar to the act of painting, relating her face to a canvas.

Shefa’s Room

Shefa’s room was very inviting and full of color. There was a unique personality to her room, meaning it looked as though she was not overly trying to follow a trend or aesthetic. The first thing she showed me, when entering the room, was the makeup tutorial book that she had told me about in our interview. The book was pretty large, and seemed very technical. I can see she cared and had used this book a lot as it appeared to be worn. The makeup she showed me also seemed to be used, suggesting that she was showing me the products she most often uses. This would reflect her transparent nature, as she was very open and honest in the way she talked about her lived experiences. She showed me many products, but none of it seemed excessive or over the top, as everything had its own purpose. Her products were also high quality, while not being luxury. In general her products were perfectly balanced and reflective to the way she described her relationship to makeup.

 

Interview Analysis

Having the experience to talk to Shefa, only two times, gave me enough insight to learn much about her and her subculture. I also came to realize how much her subculture related to her life and the personality traits that she has. Shefa is a very thoughtful individual, meaning that she puts a lot of thought and effort into her actions and the things she says. Shefa really cares about what perception she puts out into the world, and she cares about how her actions make her feel. I was able to gather this purely from our talk about makeup. That being said, I also gathered that Shefa is a creative person, and she uses makeup as her outlet. She referred to doing her makeup as painting which I found very interesting. Her use of makeup as a creative outlet was reflective in her explanation of how her mood affects what makeup look she puts on. Therefore, Shefa uses her makeup as a form of creative emotional expression. It is relative to a painter painting a sad scene, when they are feeling depressed. The same goes for when she decides to carefully place her makeup on, on a day where she is feeling great about herself. This especially shows her creativity along with the thoughtfulness that goes behind all of her actions. Along with these two traits a major part of Shefa’s personality is her outgoing and conversational nature. From the start Shefa was very open and inviting, with an eagerness to engage in a conversation. Stepping into her room I was also able to see this part of her personality, as she not only had colorful makeup but decorations as well. Shefa especially showed this side of her when she was talking about makeup, she was very good at describing her relationship to it and the way it made her feel. Lastly, relating to her ability to be comfortable in a social setting, Shefa has a confident aura to her. I was able to really gather this trait through the way she described her everyday makeup routine. She did makeup to make herself feel good, and highlight the features she already has. Rather than trying to cover up her features or hide herself Shefa put a lot of thought and effort

into finding the ways in which she can highlight her natural features. This was a very admirable quality of Shefa’s and reflects much of what she is like as a person.

Conclusion

Meeting with Shefa was an enjoyable experience, and one where I was able to learn much about her. Her relationship to makeup was an intriguing one that led to many insights into her life and personality. I was amazed by the chances of us being partnered up being that she lived two floors above me. Getting to go into each other’s rooms was very fun, and we were able to connect through this assignment. It was fascinating seeing all the ways in which her relationship to makeup revealed so much about her personality and way of life.

Interview Notes

1. What’s your name? – Shefa
2. Where are you from? – Bangladesh; lived in Bronx; CCNY Towers
3. When did you start using makeup? Aunts specifically wanted a daughter so bad; Auntwould put makeup on her as a child; Always something that was in her life; When she started getting older – would play around with the makeup; She would mess up her moms makeup not aware; As a kid doing eccentric looks – didn’t see it as techniques or art medium like she does now; The culture of her family was that it was just something you did it was not a technique
4. Jargons or phrases for makeup? – full glam; soft-glam; neutral; natural makeup; “no makeup makeup”; Does not use makeup as a crutch but rather an art form; Does not feel like she has to wear it everyday

5. Did you watch makeup youtube channels? – Yes; Drug store makeup gave you instructions in the back of pallets – she would follow them but they turn out bad; Started doing research after someone said her makeup looked bad; Got better using youtube videos; Went to research to licensed makeup artists as well for advice
6. Does your routine change depending on where you are going? – Yes; going out at night she will put on more extravagant makeup; everyday looks are more simple
7. How does doing your makeup make you feel? – Depends on her mood; Feels proud when its good and to the best of her ability; If shes having a bad day she makes her makeup terrible – puts whatever she wants on her face knowing shes gonna remove it; Going out days – make makeup time an hour at least because it makes her feel good; Different moods make her feel different about her makeup
8. What are your favorite brands/products? – Indie brands, makeup from different countries; Eyeshadow palette from sweden – inspired by mythology; Doesnt like getting things on name alone – looks for quality – Lives in NYC so it’s accessible to her
9. Do you have friends that also like to do makeup or are passionate about makeup like you? – Her friends liked to do makeup; Her friends do makeup that they like and know suits their face while Shefa does new things her friends ask her for advice; Her friends ask her for recommendations

10. Do you match makeup to Do you apply your makeup to your outfits? – Matches makeup to outfit, it used to be outfit to makeup

11. Are you good at makeup? – “Yes I would say so”
12. How long does it take you to do your makeup? – “Fifteen minutes, That’s how you

know you are good it shouldn’t take you that long”

13. Would you relate doing your makeup to painting? – Face is the canvas; You have to know color theory; Makeup brushes and art brushes are similar; Finds painting different – wants to try painting; Enhancing what’s already there; Does makeup that suits her face rather than trends; Has a lot of products but it’s intentional – first said hoarder then said intentional