Would men look better with makeup?

[claraschu]

Most people seem to think women look better with makeup (I don't agree, and prefer to see people without).

Do you think men should hide their blemishes, tired eyes, lack-lustre skin, etc, under skillfully applied, subtle makeup?

[Justbatteringon]

Some men I know do wear make up.

[Fairylea]

My ex dh used to wear foundation. You'd never know he did, he was a manager for Boots and loved all the discounts ! He never used to take it off properly though and it used to drive me mad all over the pillows etc.

I think anyone should wear make up if they want to but no one should feel pressurised too. Loads of men use concealer etc etc for spots!

[whatdoIget]

I don't know any men who wear make up, or who would feel pressurised to do so. I think it is definitely different for women.

[claraschu]

I know some men use makeup, and of course dancers and actors do. I was just wondering if people felt men's appearance was improved by it. Everyone seems to think that women's skin, for instance, doesn't usually look as good without it, but to me women often look kind of fake with makeup on.

[Knackeredknitter67]

Lots of men wear make up from what i have seen. Ex-h wears foundation and mascara and even lipgloss on occasion (yuck).
I think anyone can look better with makeup on, and everyone should have a choice.

[TheDowagerCuntess]

It's definitely an interesting question, and I say this as someone who wears make-up daily.

You often read/hear women saying they look like 'the living dead', 'would scare small children' (clearly meant to be self-deprecating, but there's a grain of truth in that it's an exaggerated description of what they think) without make-up. But we never think men look so awful without it, or need it to look passable.

[MitzyLeFrouf]

'but to me women often look kind of fake with makeup on.'

You do know that not everyone is into to the 'no makeup makeup' look?

[MitzyLeFrouf]

I have big black eyeliner flicks on today. They're certainly not meant to look naturalistic.

[claraschu]

I am well aware that lots of people like to look like they have created their own faces. Obviously they choose "art" over "nature": I used the shorthand of "fake" to describe how they look to me (that's why I said "TO ME women often look kind of fake").

To you, I would probably look like a frumpy old bag, "the living dead", etc.

Mitzy you are on the winning side here. I hardly know anyone who doesn't use makeup, and the overwhelming majority of people on MN prefer how they (and everyone else) look with makeup.

[Queenbean]

My DP sometimes borrows my make up and he does actually look a bit better with it - lovely smooth skin

I think if women were never to wear make-up no-one would really notice, but I do think that in general, there are more good looking women than there are men. That may be because women make themselves look better through applying make-up / doing their hair etc?

[ItGoesWithoutSaying]

There's a number of things to consider here. Yes, men would (and do) look better with make up: smoother skin, cover blemishes, emphasise eyes other features, etc. Why do actors wear make up? In the theatre partly to make features visible, but on film partly to make them more attractive.

But there's the cultural issue of what is "manly" and whether wearing make-up fits in to that. There hasn't been any poster along to say "Urgh, can't stand a man in make up", but I have heard it said.

FWIW, my DH used to wear eye-liner and mascara when I met him. I liked it. It was a long time ago; it was quite common at the time. I don't see it being so common these days.

[specialsubject]

no. The 'I look dead without makeup' thing really annoys me. Especially as it often comes from those who'd be better for a walk in the fresh air rather than ages in front of the mirror.

people have lumps, bumps, scars, uneven patches. Life, not photoshop. Smile - instant makeover.

(BTW check out Zoella without slap - 10 years off instantly)

wear it if you want, but don't expect everyone to think it is an improvement. This is why no-one with manners comments on appearance!

oh, and most people I know don't use it, at any rate not during the day. Life to live, work to do, fresh air to feel. Any active job and it would be gone in five minutes.

[pilates]

No, I wouldn't want my husband/partner to be more groomed than myself. I find the "Towie" look very unattractive.

[MitzyLeFrouf]

'To you, I would probably look like a frumpy old bag, "the living dead",' etc.

Big assumption there. I never use phrases like 'frumpy old bag, or 'the living dead'.

I have many friends who don't wear makeup. Until now I can't say I've ever given it much thought.

[claraschu]

I just quite like seeing a lived-in face, lines, blemishes, dark circles and all. Makeup is a bit like photoshopping: taking away flaws doesn't necessarily make people more beautiful in my eyes.

[claraschu]

Mitzy I know you didn't use those phrases; these are just common ways that women describe themselves without makeup.

[claraschu]

Also, I think people having fun with makeup is great- doesn't bother me at all, the wilder the better- why not?