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AIBU?

AIBU to wear makeup to work everyday?

111 replies

Nicebucket · 13/10/2015 22:16

Ok, bear with me! I know it's a silly question but I'm curious to hear your opinions on this.

I wear makeup five to six days a week. I'm very particular about getting it off and I follow a good skincare routine once I'm back home, but I do wear it to work and for special occasions on weekends.

A friend of mine, who has perfect skin, criticised me today and said that I'm ruining my skin, causing it to age and darken. The conversation with her has really terrified me and I'm seriously worried about this now.

Do you agree that wearing makeup everyday is very bad for the skin? How many of you wear makeup to work everyday? Have you found that it has affected your skin badly?

And how much of it do you tend to have on on a daily basis? I wear light foundation, under eye concealer, eyeliner, blush, mascara and lip balm. If I have time I'll do a nice eye makeup, mostly because it's fun!

I have never had the best skin- it's sensitive to environmental changes so tends to go blotchy or spotty in the sun, wind etc. I also have slight pigmentation, so I just feel more confident and groomed with some coverage on. Does that seem unreasonable?

OP posts:
Junosmum · 13/10/2015 22:18

As long as it isn't agrivating your skin when it's on she's talking baloney.

JeffsanArsehole · 13/10/2015 22:19

Absolute rubbish

Make up protects you from the elements.

Nicebucket · 13/10/2015 22:20

I do have sensitive skin, so can't wear a lot of stuff out there. I stick to tried and tested products that don't bother my skin (well, mostly)

OP posts:
laundryeverywhere · 13/10/2015 22:21

I am not an expert on this, but I think it might look odd to wear make up to work one day, then nothing another day.

PacificDogwod · 13/10/2015 22:21

YANBU when you are talking about your choice.
Your friend is talking rubbish.

YABVU if you are expecting me to wear make-up Grin

DramaAlpaca · 13/10/2015 22:22

If you like wearing it & it makes you feel good of course YANBU.

As far as I'm aware it's not going to do you any damage.

I don't wear it every day myself because my skin is really sensitive, I don't like the feel of it on my skin & I don't feel the need to wear it anyway, but if you do - why not?

Nicebucket · 13/10/2015 22:23

Laundry everywhere- you are so right! They've always seen me with something on, so now I'm hesitant to let them see my bare face haha. It's not because I think I'm ugly without makeup, it's just odd to suddenly take it all off.

OP posts:
celtictoast · 13/10/2015 22:23

It's entirely up to you and as long as you're cleaning it all off properly and moisturising well, I don't see why it should be bad for your skin. I don't think we need makeup to protect our skin though. A decent moisturiser is a good enough barrier. Do you use one with sunscreen in?

CurlyBlueberry · 13/10/2015 22:26

I think YANBU because it should be up to you. I don't wear any makeup usually (pure laziness, and I have generally good skin).

ConstanceMarkYaBitch · 13/10/2015 22:27

Terrified, really? Easily spooked ain't ya. It's just make-up. Almost everyone wears it. Don't you think you would have heard if it ruined everyones face?

Nicebucket · 13/10/2015 22:29

Yes, my foundation has SPF in it!

I've never stepped out without sunscreen.

OP posts:
SexNamesRFab · 13/10/2015 22:29

YANBU. I could never ever go to work without make up on - I'd feel unprofessional, like I'd turned up in my pyjamas.

HPsauciness · 13/10/2015 22:31

My skin is worst when I'm stressed, nothing to do with wearing make-up or not wearing make-up (I wear it pretty much every day). Not really sure what your friend is going on about.

specialsubject · 13/10/2015 22:35

lot of bollocks being talked here.

firstly by friend; makeup is merely a coating and as long as you aren't using ceruse or similar dangerous items, it won't change your skin. (and of course if you aren't allergic to the ingredients)

other bollocks:

  • SPF moisturisers; not enough sunscreen. Use a real sunscreen if that's what you need. (UK UV levels dropping and you probably spend all day indoors)
  • SPF foundation: ditto
  • going to work without slap is unprofessional. Same for the men, eh?


if you like wearing it, wear it. If not, don't. I've never worn it to work and it made no difference to my career.

BTW unless you are coated like someone on TV, most people won't notice if you wear it or not.
Penfold007 · 13/10/2015 22:35

I have very sensitive skin, on the days I work in London or any other city I wear make-up as it seems form a barrier between my skin and pollution. The rest of the time I'm out doors in the country, my hair is tied back and I only wear a moisturiser with a decent SPF. So long as you've found a cleansing regime that agrees with your skin I can't see the problem.

PurpleDaisies · 13/10/2015 22:36

Just do what you want. Your face your choice.

Annarose2014 · 13/10/2015 22:36

I've heard this so many times but I've yet to see a study that supports it.....

And she thinks makeup actually ages skin? And darkens it?! Funny how millions of women all over the world havent found that happening actually.

I looooove it. I love everything about it. I love the science-y stuff about light-reflecting particles and silicone slip, I love the fascinating gel-cream hybrid textures, I love seeing how many shades of how many colours there are in the world, I love how a colour can look different depending on shimmer, or sheen, or glitter....I love the way you can make yourself look different every day depending just on your mood, I love waking up haggard and grim and thinking I can look better than this! WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY!!!

Don't let her do a number on you. Never let anyone make you feel bad for wearing makeup.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeG0es · 13/10/2015 22:37

Not at all, there is a theory that people who wear make-up have better skin because they are more likely to cleanse it properly and care about the other products they use on it, so it's possible yours would be worse if you didn't wear make-up.

I go through spells of wearing it every day for a few months and then nothing for weeks on end, nobody has ever commented either way. When I do wear it, what you describe is pretty well what I do.

LeftMyRidingCropInTheMortuary · 13/10/2015 22:41

Is your friend a consultant dermatologist? If not, ignore her. In fact, ignore her anyway.

Her "good skin" is likely genes, esp if she is young.

Greasy nasty makeup will give you spots and dirty brushes might give you an infection.

Not taking it off could also give you spots and make your skin look dull. As does drinking too much, eating crap.

None of these things, however, would significantly PERMANENTLY affect your skin as makeup sits on the surface of the skin which is constantly shedding anyway.

Avoid sun, smoking and pray you have good genes. Diet, day to day skincare and makeup do sod all to change your skin. Neither does water make sod all difference.

If you want to have fab skin (like me!) use Retin-A cream. You need a prescription.

Stuff about "letting your skin breath" is just psychological.

I have a lot of experience and knowledge in this area having had extensive skin problems treated by Dr Sam Bunting, no less!

brokenhearted55a · 13/10/2015 22:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LadyB49 · 13/10/2015 22:44

Friend is talking rubbish.
I am 66 and have worn make up my entire adult life, every day, including retirement......unless I was ill.
Think blonde eyebrows and lashes.
I have excellent skin.....for my age :)

RoseWithoutAThorn · 13/10/2015 22:44

I never go out without make up and my skin hasn't darkened. I have few wrinkles and I've worn make up for 30 years. I wear full make up at work, foundation, concealer, blusher, mascara, eyeliner, eye shadow, lipliiner and lipstick. I'm very careful about removing it all though and moisturise twice a day.

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Whathaveilost · 13/10/2015 22:46

I am not an expert on this, but I think it might look odd to wear make up to work one day, then nothing another day

I guess I am odd then!!

LovelyFriend · 13/10/2015 22:48

I think your friend is talking rubbish. I've had years of wearing daily makeup and year of not being arsed. The only thing that makes a difference to my skin is whether I cleanse and moisturise properly or not. And diet of course v

LeftMyRidingCropInTheMortuary · 13/10/2015 22:51

I love the idea that if I keep wearing makeup, I'll eventually be a different colour from pinky-white Scottish!

I'm surprised a quick google didn't reveal her to be talking bollocks tbh. Perhaps you could ask your friend the "science" behind this idea. Perhaps people with worse skin do wear more make up?

Sounds like a load of old crap made up by old wives to stop their teenagers wearing make up. A bit like if you shave your legs, it'll grow back thicker. Kind of things girls used to ask in teen magazines!

What age are the pair of you?!

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