To think most make up is a waste of time?

I didn't realise an otherwise nice thread had kicked off.

If there are people who see what you seem to infer; which I assume is vanity, self obsession, extravagance, etc., do let me make it clear I couldn't give two hoots what people like that think and suspect I rarely come across them socially or professionally.

I do hope anyone who feels that way loves being a woman as much as me.

Yes, removing choice is never helpful, progressive or pro women at all

Tbh I can't be arsed lol but do be kinder to other women!

@Stonehill

Don't you think it’s better if people can have body autonomy and look how they want? Yes, you could put everyone in a black sack with no make up and there will still be people who are unhappy with themselves.

Wearing clothes, doing your hair, wearing make up are all ways of being creative and showing your personality. I love experimenting with hair colour and make up, especially when I was younger.

Read my subsequent posts if you wish to know the answers

@LlynTegid I think the majority of women who wear make up don't wear an excessive amount.

Agree! Fwiw I went to a very academic, high achieving school and one girl the ( female sadly ) teachers were vicious to because she was very conventionally girly, obsessed with makeup and planning to start her own business after school. All 30's now and she earns my wages in about 3 days with her wedding makeup business and other projects. Makeup doesn't equate to a waste of time, there's a reason the wedding industry and just one example brings so much money into it.

I think some of the (in my opinion) excessive make up comes from those seeing others similarly made up, as it were.

A bit like those who have SUVs because too many other people have them.

Yes @Stonehill I do indeed wear lip gloss so that my face matches my fanny.

This reminds me of America Ferrera's response on the Barbie Film when she lists all the reasons women can't win. Sad that you're basically saying you think wearing makeup is a sign of low self esteem but if you're doing it for you and you like it, minus the low self esteem you're a narcissist. Are you always this judgemental of other women's choices?

Here, @Stonehill and any others of the like. I trawled the feminist board as I knew I'd seen a wonderful post and I hope they don't mind me quoting it here

@ginandbearit · 07/03/2024 23:39

Screenshot shot about the effect lipstick had on the women survivors of Belsen concentration camp

I feel compelled to wear it because it's my representation of who I am and I look very pretty when I have it on. I enjoy it, it goes with my tattoos and my clothing choices and presents me as my authentic self. It helps me to embrace my day as the way you present draws in like minded people. I also love spending the time kn my face in the morning, similarly to when people ask why I spend a couple of hours a day on housework- because I love a spotless home :) being immaculate is in my nature and it's who I am.

I am old and for all of my life my skin has been pretty flawless. I still look a zillion times better with makeup than without it. It takes me about 5 minutes every morning and I don't leave the house without it. Nowadays I do it entirely for me. In the past I thoroughly enjoyed the second glances and yes I was and am vain. I like clothes too.

I neither wear nor own much: foundation, concealer, blusher, highlighter, Mascara, tiny bit of soft eyeliner, powder, lipstick. I use night cream and day cream. On Saturday I needed to top up: foundation and powder and treated myself to a new lipstick. I enjoyed buying it very much.

In addition I also love perfume and spend money on having my hair cut and coloured every 6/7 weeks. My hairdresser is like an old friend after 25 years!

I have never done: nails, tanning, brows, facials or tattoos.

🙄 It goes without saying - at least it should to most people with an iota of common sense - that that poor girl has issues that go far beyond not being allowed to wear makeup at school, FFS.

"Generally accepted" - source?

It's meant to make the lips look more inviting to kiss, surely.

hence men dont wear it...

That is not me, that is the generally accepted meaning of what lip gloss/ lipstick represents.

I'm with you OP. I use a CC cream for everyday and a bit of foundation if I'm going out. I can't do mascara or eye shadow because of contact lenses. I'm 61 and luckily pretty much line free. I saw a photo of myself from the weekend and thought I looked fine, so to me that's all that matters.

My hairdresser sees me at 9am. She's already in full make up, including false eyelashes, having got 2 small children off to school. I don't know how she does it.

No. It's not to most people, that may be a trope wheeled out but the majority of people aren't looking at a stick of rimmel and thinking ooo I'll have a red sparkly giant vagina on my face today ffs. They like it. You don't.

@stonehill you are coming across as very odd.

lip gloss, to imply an open and moist vagina, yes? That is the purpose of lip gloss.

@Stonehill are you a teacher?

@Stonehill I was obviously exaggerating for comedic effect 😆

I'm pretty sure that my lip gloss and mascara doesn't make me look like my 'only priority' is to kowtow to the patriarchy. Bit dramatic, pal.

You didn't have to listen to a teenage girl last week threaten to kill herself if she was not allowed to wear make up in school. She has such low self esteem that she can't show her face without masking it in gunk. She thinks this is the only socially acceptable way to leave the house. She is not alone in thinking this.

The culture of make up is deeply damaging and destructive. We should all be taking a stand against it.

I'm the same as you OP, I'm not interested enough in how I look and I don't have the time or the money. I do think I am pretty but not one of those women with flawless even skin (although I'm not spotty fortunately).

I think some people just really enjoy doing their make up and feel good spending that time on how they look. Some are anxious.