To think most make up is a waste of time?

Ahh I see, so no one can win for you..... Too little self esteem.... A healthy self esteem knowing they are worth whatever they like to do and enjoy... Cool 👌🏻

I’d see that in a negative light as well. Seems a bit narcissistic to me.

Or, they are worth SO Much, they are worth being decorated and adorned.... Ever considered that? I find it the weirdest thing that people assume the more negative stance

Really - what do you think low self esteem is then? It’s a person that has a low sense of self value (people pleasers, lacks confidence, low boundaries etc). I appreciate many women will wear make up because they want to, but many will because they lack self esteem - they wear it because they think it makes them more attractive to other people, and it gives them a confidence boost because they don’t think they are worth much without covering up etc. I appreciate it’s a lot more complex than that, but that’s my “non-scientific” opinion based and my lived experience.

Better than being judgemental, though?

Ok. Firstly, that isn't what low self esteem means
And secondly, you have made this assessment based on a subject sample of one
I find your scientific method lacking 😂

I used to wear a lot in my youth as I had a job in entertainment.

I loathe wearing anything on my face now because it feels funny and like a mask. I think I've developed sensory issues having anything on my face.

I like make-up. I use it every day and it takes me about 10 minutes to apply. I'm not insecure and I don't have low self-esteem. I would say I'm on the more attractive side naturally and feel comfortable in my own skin. I'll go out barefaced for exercise.

I like the ritual of make-up. It makes me feel more put together. My clothes are on the smarter side, so I think that is partly why too.

So what are you doing that's so much more important?

OP, can you honestly say your weeks are fully productive? If someone gets pleasure/confidence from applying makeup, it's super patronising to say it's a waste of life! Women and men have spent time on their appearances since we've been able to walk upright. It's not odd behaviour.

And this too

Exactly.

Most adult women do not spend ‘hours on their face’, but those that do, do it because they enjoy it.

Oh another one.

‘Why are other women vacuous bints? Why am I Not Like Other Girls?’

Surely this script gets boring eventually .

I get my nails done so that they always look nice. I sit there for 45 mins but I don't have to do anything else. Ever. Without this, they break and snag. Some are long, some are short. If I paint them myself, they chip and it's a daily top up. God forbid they look dirty or there is some unnoticed dirt behind them. It helps me look polished and well put together.

I wear a full face most days, definitely for work. Without it, I resemble a king Edward.
I have fair lashes and brows, and a chubby pink face. Make up is transformative. I feel like me wearing it.
You don’t want to wear it, and frankly seem a bit sneery about those who choose to spend their own time on themselves.

I hear you. My dear work friend never wore make up. She was clever and successful but the silly sales ladies used to bemoan her lack of professionalism and the like frequently because of this. (Ironically she was actually much more professional than them.) It used to really upset me that people thought that make up was like some obligatory woman tax, that the men (all of whom were paid more it turned out) didn't have.

But just because people wear it doesn't mean anyone else has too, throwing the word patriarchy in doesn't excuse it, it doesn't make a difference it is still choice

I choose not to wear no one expects me too so why would I? Same as other people.

I don't hide behind 'society forces me to wear it' I just dont

I think that’s probably true

How many answers do you need?

I don't like wearing loads but I think I look my best with light, natural make up. It makes me feel more confident and " done". I don't "need" it to look good as I am naturally attractive, but I feel I look better with it. It's about emphasising parts of your face, not masking it. If I stopped bothering with the way I look it would mean there was something wrong because it's just something I've always done.

I wore make up every day of my life practically until Covid. Now I don't really.

If you don't use it, then great. Not everyone is confident not to, and let's not pretend that the decision to use make up is made in a vacuum. A decision made because you wouldn't feel confident enough without it is not a decision freely made. We are all under the boot of patriarchy, just some of it are more under than others.

I am pretty ugly and feel more confident with make up. I've worn it most days for 25 years now, I like make up and it's just habit.
I do agree a with the concept of what you are saying though as I've know people who get up at 5am to do full contouring before work...no thank you.