Cassandra Calin’s delightful illustrations perfectly portray the daily challenges of being a woman, making it impossible not to share them with your closest friends. Is there anything more liberating than slipping out of your bra after a long day? Probably not—unless it’s unbuttoning your pants!
At just 21 years old, the Romanian-Canadian cartoonist, illustrator, and graphic designer is based in Montreal. She describes her work as “comics inspired by my life, first-world problems, and silly moments.”
The Trials of Shaving
Ah, the trials of shaving! Society seems to demand that women be as hairless as possible—except for the luxurious locks on our heads, of course. Shaving legs, underarms, and even bikini lines is a meticulous task that requires remembering every little spot.
The Art of Hairstyling
Then there’s the art of hairstyling. We’ve all seen those YouTube tutorials where someone achieves perfect waves in minutes. What they never tell you is how quickly humidity can ruin all that hard work. The fact that we don’t throw our straighteners out the window in frustration shows that we still hold onto hope.
Makeup Adventures
And let’s not forget the adventurous attempts to try something new. Inspired by those makeup tutorials, we often convince ourselves, “If this teenager can nail a smokey eye, I can too!” Yet, more often than not, we find ourselves scrubbing off layers of eyeliner in defeat.
Despite our makeup practice, achieving a decent photo can still feel impossible. After moving recently and enduring the nightmare of getting new passport and DMV photos, I can confirm: no amount of contouring can save you under harsh fluorescent lights.
Going makeup-free can also lead to unsolicited comments about looking “soooo tired” when we’re simply giving our skin a breather from the daily face paint.
The Reality of Bras
Let’s not overlook the uncomfortable reality of wearing a bra. The joy of finally taking it off at the end of the day is unparalleled. And if you didn’t know, our breasts can sweat—especially during the summer months. It’s less than ideal when you notice that your shirt is broadcasting this to the world.
The Monthly Visitor
And, of course, no discussion about womanhood is complete without mentioning our monthly visitor. Periods not only wreak havoc on our bodies and moods but also serve to remind us of the beauty of motherhood.
Sometimes they even sabotage us with cravings for chocolate, despite our best intentions to maintain professionalism at work—sorry, boss!
Amidst the boob sweat, the makeup struggles, and the quest for flawless cat eyes, being a woman comes with its own unique set of challenges. Fortunately, artists like Calin are here to capture the hilarious absurdity of it all.
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