Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think most make up is a waste of time?

233 replies

HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 11/03/2024 19:03

I've never been a girly girl, never seen the point of tanning, nails, fashionable clothes, makeup etc. I do wear makeup on occasion, but it takes me 5 minutes to apply- some powder, a little mascara and maybe some lip tint.

I used to use more makeup to cover blemishes when a teenager.

But I know so many women who spend hours a week on their face. The time, the effort and the expense seems to be immense. I just don't get it. Why spend so long applying expensive paint to your face? Why not just look how you look? Men don't go through all this nonsense and somehow we are able to stand to look at their bare faces.

I know some people are going to say makeup is their hobby, they enjoy it, fine. I'm more addressing those who feel they have to put it on before leaving the house every day.

Help me to understand!

OP posts:
TheFancyPoet · 11/03/2024 19:34

Make up brings out your natural colours more out. It is nice. I have severe post period acnes and today has few massive pussy spots. Horrible. Had to squeeze them, sorry, covered the whole face with tanned powder, some lipstick and looked a bit more normal

Original poster
HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 11/03/2024 19:34

@StopTheBusINeedAWeeWeeAWeeWeeBagOChips

Lol maybe.

OP posts:
TheWood · 11/03/2024 19:33

@IWearMakeUp I'm so sorry to read what happened to you. 💐

Original poster
HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 11/03/2024 19:33

@PersephonePomegranate23

That's a really interesting take. We are visual creatures so that makes sense.

OP posts:
StopTheBusINeedAWeeWeeAWeeWeeBagOChips · 11/03/2024 19:32

HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 11/03/2024 19:31

@megacat

I have spoken to friends who feel they have to wear it. Like societal expectations, they don't feel pretty enough, their husband expects it, etc.

Sounds like you spend more time talking about makeup, and looking down your nose at people who wear it, than most people spend applying it tbh.

Original poster
HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 11/03/2024 19:32

@IWearMakeUp

Shit, I'm so sorry that happened to you. I hope whoever was responsible was punished.

OP posts:
PersephonePomegranate23 · 11/03/2024 19:32

HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 11/03/2024 19:24

@HappierTimesAhead

I get that, I'm sure I could look a lot better if I could apply makeup skillfully. But then I wouldn't look like me so what would be the point?

It's not dubbed 'war paint' for no reason, is it? Make up is generally worn when people are consciously projecting a particular image.

Why have some tribes worn makeup throughout history? To denote belonging, to intill fear on their combatants? Those are two reasons I think of off the cuff. Make up is used in lots of different ways.

HappierTimesAhead · 11/03/2024 19:32

Also, on the scale of what is a waste of my time I would much rather be applying make-up than washing dishes, hanging up clothes, putting the bins out, cleaning the toilet, hoovering etc etc etc

Strawberrycheesecake7 · 11/03/2024 19:31

I think if someone enjoys something then it’s not a waste of time. So if someone loves makeup then spending a lot of time on it is time well spent for them. I never really enjoyed putting on makeup. I did it because I was self conscious about how I looked. Since having a baby I don’t usually bother with it. It’s difficult to find the time for anything and I don’t prioritise putting on makeup over other things I need to do. If I’m going out somewhere I usually wear a bit, but only a very minimal amount that takes one minute to do, whereas I used to spend 20-30 minutes putting on a full face of makeup every day. For me it would be a waste of time to continue doing that.

winniethepooped · 11/03/2024 19:31

You can't actually understand why some people feel they have to wear makeup? Like your brain can't compute that??!

I don't leave the house without it. I look like a blind pale mole without eyebrows with no makeup. When I have it on, I look more attractive.

It's that simple.

I mean not to mention people who are concealing bad skin, or blemishes or birthmarks (which have a small one of)...and you still can't see the desire to wear it?!

You've asked why people feel they HAVE to. That's my answer. But like many other PPs, I enjoy putting it on, love getting new items, love learning new styles, love that enhances my self confidence etc etc

Original poster
HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 11/03/2024 19:31

@megacat

I have spoken to friends who feel they have to wear it. Like societal expectations, they don't feel pretty enough, their husband expects it, etc.

OP posts:
Ilovegoldies · 11/03/2024 19:30

I have invisible eyebrows, spider veins and vitiligo. A quick slap of foundation, some eyebrow pencil and some lipstick so you can see where my mouth is is not a waste of time.
I watch a lot of the get ready with me on tiktok and it does seem to be a lot of effort but they always look stunning beforehand and stunning after if slightly different. YABU.

HappierTimesAhead · 11/03/2024 19:30

chillberri · 11/03/2024 19:29

Since lockdown there was a noticeable shift to less and no make up makeup. Which makes heavier makeup stand out unfortunately for some

Show quote history

Yes, it was during lockdown that I definitely started wearing less make-up and now I really look forward to the times when I do wear it.

Original poster
HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 11/03/2024 19:30

@Cleaningupthemess

Fair, I guess with that perspective most things are a waste of time.

OP posts:
chillberri · 11/03/2024 19:29

HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 11/03/2024 19:28

@chillberri

That's good to know. It seems like everyone in my circle wears it every day.

Since lockdown there was a noticeable shift to less and no make up makeup. Which makes heavier makeup stand out unfortunately for some

Gibs0nGirl · 11/03/2024 19:29

TheGrimSqueakersFlea · 11/03/2024 19:19

@Gibs0nGirl I really don't understand how anyone can enjoy putting makeup on. I can easily spend an hour doing it and still look shit.

I want to enjoy it as much as you do, I have watched many tutorials and still can't make it look nice. How did you learn?

Oh I haven't learned to be great at it or anything 😁

I just like trying new things. I watch some Instagram reels about eyeshadows or blusher placement, for example.

I also have a brutally honest 13 year old so she lets me know if I've nailed it or not 😆

Original poster
HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 11/03/2024 19:28

@HappierTimesAhead

Yea, that sounds like a healthy approach to it for sure.

OP posts:
chillberri · 11/03/2024 19:28

megacat · 11/03/2024 19:27

You're asking repeatedly for people to say why they feel they have to wear it, excluding people who enjoy it, but I doubt that even exists. You get people who enjoy it, people who don't wear it. There is no other group.

No you get people who wish they didn't have to wear it but feel they have no choice or they get starred at

Original poster
HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 11/03/2024 19:28

@chillberri

Ooh that's a cool way to look at it.

OP posts:
HappierTimesAhead · 11/03/2024 19:28

HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 11/03/2024 19:24

@HappierTimesAhead

I get that, I'm sure I could look a lot better if I could apply makeup skillfully. But then I wouldn't look like me so what would be the point?

Unless someone is incredibly good at contouring and wears exceptionally long fake eyelashes then they will still look like themselves! Just with a smoother, brighter complexion and more definition around the eyes. Most of the time makeup is about enhancing what you already have.

Original poster
HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 11/03/2024 19:28

@chillberri

That's good to know. It seems like everyone in my circle wears it every day.

OP posts:
chillberri · 11/03/2024 19:27

For me it is a transformation from inside my house mode to outside my house mode. I like it. I like the colours.

Original poster
HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 11/03/2024 19:27

@Gibs0nGirl

Yea I mean 20 minutes a day isn't that long. Sounds like a healthy balance to me.

OP posts:
megacat · 11/03/2024 19:27

You're asking repeatedly for people to say why they feel they have to wear it, excluding people who enjoy it, but I doubt that even exists. You get people who enjoy it, people who don't wear it. There is no other group.

chillberri · 11/03/2024 19:26

HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 11/03/2024 19:16

@Midnlghtrain

Fair, I suppose everyone has their hobbies. I'm not trying to boast that I'm not like other girls haha. I just don't have much of an interest in stereotypically female things and I'm curious to understand what makes others tick. I suppose I've always felt like a bit of an oddball in that way. Idk.

You're really not an odd ball. It's not unique to not wear make up. Loads of people don't

Swipe left for the next trending thread