What's the deal with make-up?

sassandgroove · Jan 10, 2011

Ok I don't have anything against make-up. I actually like it. I think it makes my skin look nice and even. But I don't wear it. I can't be bothered with it. I don't even remember jewelry in the morning and do well to have clothes that match.

So here is my question. On several occasions make-up has come up in conversation with women that I know (or don't just talked to). Beautiful women. They don't have it on that day or are applying it or something and I say I don't wear it and they say, "Well you don't need it." But they don't either. So what's the deal? Is it just that they are used to how they look with it or are they buying into some cultural ideal or what?

amyashley · Jan 10, 2011

People usually have a very skewed perception about their appearance. I also think that they do become accustomed to how they look with it on.

For me, it's my one concession to femininity anymore. I have little kids and not much time. I wear jeans and a t-shirt, I can't wear decent shoes because of health issues (I only wear Crocs), and I do cool stuff with my hair but it only takes 5 minutes. No jewelry-it gets ripped or yanked on. Purses are now diaper bags/toy bags/ receipt depositories.

Makeup makes me feel human. It is one of the few female spaces I have left in the house and I guard it pretty damn fiercely.

stormie · Jan 10, 2011

Maybe they have skin discolorations you don't see (because even some moisturizers they might use in the morning have tint in it), or practically lashless eyes and use mascara (and again, you don't realize it).

Or--they are buying into the hype and feel their skin is more "luminous," or "smoother." Or that their eyes just won't be worth looking at if they don't glop it on in the morning, right after brushing their teeth.

Perks · Jan 10, 2011

sassandgroove said:
So what's the deal? Is it just that they are used to how they look with it or are they buying into some cultural ideal or what?

Asked and answered in one handy dandy stop.

I also believe that many of the things we do are efforts to enhance sexual dimorphism. We shave our legs and, with makeup, underscore the difference between the male and the female. Some animals do this. We just happen to be very good at it withour imaginations and opposable thumbs and whatnot.

I have begun to like the way I look with less or no makeup over the last few years, but the process is still a ritual that separates time to move it and shake it from kicking back and relaxing.

veinglory · Jan 10, 2011

Or maybe they just enjoy it but recognise it is not a necessity.

Caitlin Black · Jan 10, 2011

Make-up, to me, seems like yet another style option. Ie. a lot of people who wear make-up wear it because they like how they look when they're wearing it.

Of course, you can't rule out insecurities too.

(Personal opinion, not fact or statistic.)

MissMacchiato · Jan 10, 2011

I used to admin on a makeup board.

Most women on that board wear make up because they like the way it makes them look and feel. They don't necessarily feel that they are ugly without it, but they feel even prettier with it on.

They also like the artistic aspect of it, playing with colour and contour.

I pretty much require makeup for my job. As receptionist/front of house, you are the first thing that people see when they come through the door and makeup assists in making me look less like the half-asleep zombie I wake up as

I also happen to enjoy applying it, the compliments I receive when I wear it etc, but it's all personal choice. You don't like wearing it, don't feel that you need it, then that's great, and you should run with that.

brainstorm77 · Jan 10, 2011

I wear it because I enjoy it. I like how I feel when I wear it and how I look. It's all about me.

SaraP · Jan 10, 2011

I love make-up though I hardly wear any these days. It started as an interest in how versatile it is, and I enjoyed how people looked with it on. Then I started getting into it, playing with colors, effects, trying out new shades, new products, figuring out what looked best on me. I got so involved with it it got to the point where I would not leave the house without make-up on. Didn't have to be a lot - sometimes just mascara and lipstick - but those few minutes alone, in front of the mirror, were heaven.

It's not that I didn't feel pretty without it, but it was such a part of me then, of who I was, an expression of me, and it was as important to me as my jewelry (I was big into that too). I loved it so much I ended up taking a make-up artist course to learn more.

I worked as a make-up artist for a few years, with brides, and it was wonderful. Now, because I work from home, I just don't bother with it, but on the days I do put it on, it all comes back again, those few minutes where I'm pampering myself.

JoNightshade · Jan 10, 2011

I've come to realize that makeup is largely mental. I don't wear it either, and I get into those same weird conversations where people are like "Oh man didn't have time to put on anything today, look horrible," etc. and I'm like, uh... right. About half of them think that because I don't wear it I don't "need it" and the other half actually think I'm wearing it. Just the other day I realized a friend of mine who I thought DIDN'T wear makeup puts it on every day. And I can't even tell the difference between when she does and when she doesn't.

It's only noticeable when someone wears very heavy makeup and then one day doesn't. Usually they look better without it.

backslashbaby · Jan 10, 2011

I don't wear it everywhere, but I do try to wear it. I look tired without it half the time. I kind of consider myself lucky that I can look fresher by putting on something and guys generally can't.

Is it necessary? That's where I hate how society can be. Yes, I like looking fresher. No, I don't want to be required to wear it. My own face should do

I had a French boss try to get me to use self-tanner, btw. Depending on how much garden time I've had, I can be quite pale. Folks comment. Children in Latin America stare. What can you do, lol ?

Ken · Jan 10, 2011

... makeup really does make women look more attractive more often than not. Sometimes the difference is amazing. Even women who are beautiful to begin with look better with some on. I'd be lying if I said differently. That said, looks have never figure high up on my list of criteria. And if a woman wanted to wear none that'd be totally okay with me. I'd like them just the way they are and for who they are. So would a lot of guys I believe. We're really not that shallow. Honest :-I

SaraP · Jan 10, 2011

JoNightshade said:
It's only noticeable when someone wears very heavy makeup and then one day doesn't. Usually they look better without it.

A lot of women don't know how to wear make-up, so when they do, it looks bad. That said, make-up is a matter of personal taste as is anything else. There is something to be said about the woman that clearly and elegantly wears make-up as there is about the woman, fresh out of the shower, with a clean and fresh face. Different kinds of beauties, different kinds of tastes.

Personally, I love strong make-up on myself. Dark eyes, deep-color lipsticks. Love it.

Haggis · Jan 10, 2011

I tried it but it's too damn hard to wash it out of my fur.

LaceWing · Jan 10, 2011

Of interest to me is that western make-up historically (as far as I know) originated with prostitutes. Red cheeks, red lips and dark (pupil enlarged) eyes were meant to mimic the orgasmic moment.

Eh what? We of the lady kind haz a message in our message.

bettielee · Jan 10, 2011

When I wear matching sox, I figure I've done my duty by myself.

Wayne K · Jan 10, 2011

It makes me feel pretty

That is all

BenPanced · Jan 10, 2011

Tastes good, good for you.

regdog · Jan 11, 2011

My sister does makeup for a living. She has a store, website, the whole nine yards. She does a fantastic job. Me, I'm lucky if I can get lip stick on without smudging it. So I only wear it when I'm going somewhere special. I gave up trying to do my makeup for everyday a long time ago.

milly · Jan 11, 2011

NO WAY CAN I LIVE WITHOUT MASCARA!!!!!

just sayin...my eyes don't seem to exist without it...seriously...and yeah, mostly makeup is about how it makes me feel...I feel much sexier when I have a night out, more confident at work, more approachable even when I'm in public...I dunno...it's weird...

but..now my eyes, they require it...it's not about me, it's all about them and what makes them happy

JimmyB27 · Jan 11, 2011

Ken said:
... makeup really does make women look more attractive more often than not.

I disagree. I tend to find women more attractive without it. Or (and I'm no expert so it could well be this second option) when you can't tell they have it on.

Lavern08 · Jan 11, 2011

milly said:
NO WAY CAN I LIVE WITHOUT MASCARA!!!!!

...mostly makeup is about how it makes me feel

I feel much sexier when I have a night out, more confident at work, more approachable even when I'm in public...I dunno...it's weird...

Yep, that ^

I rarely leave home without it, and the few times that I do, I always run into an ex-boyfriend or one of my *rivals* from my former modeling days (30 years and 30 lbs ago).

tiny · Jan 11, 2011

I thought this very same thing when I spied a woman applying makeup in her car while driving her son to school. Then she noticed me watching and I laughed.

milly · Jan 11, 2011

Lavern08 said:
Yep, that ^

I rarely leave home without it, and the few times that I do, I always run into an ex-boyfriend or one of my *rivals* from my former modeling days (30 years and 30 lbs ago).

*high fives for mascara*

milly · Jan 11, 2011

tiny said:
I thought this very same thing when I spied a woman applying makeup in her car while driving her son to school. Then she noticed me watching and I laughed.

wait...that was YOU laughing at me in traffic?

What's the deal with make-up?

Sassy haircut

Stunt-Writer

storm central

delicate #!&@*#! flower

volitare nequeo

Wild one

Bring on the Sweet, Sweet Coffee

practical experience, FTW

You can't forget those you've loved

has finally arrived

~~~~*~~~~

You can't forget those you've loved

Evil, undead Chihuahua

I'm a sparkly fairy princess!

THE BLUEBERRY QUEEN OF HADES (he/him)

The Scavengers

seeing sparks

Hoopy frood

Sit Down, and Shut Up!

riding the sun

seeing sparks

seeing sparks

*