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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To find make-up weird

142 replies

elprup · 28/08/2026 22:20

I kind of get foundation because it can cover spots, blotches and blemishes. But to “enhance” perfectly good eyes with black lines and smudges (eyeshadow) and to colour in your lips - I don’t know, isn’t it all a bit odd when you think about it? (Most) men don’t wear it so why do women? Just a thought! 🤣

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DreamingOfGeneHunt · 28/08/2026 22:39

I suppose it is. I like it though.

Blackbird2409 · 28/08/2026 22:39

Oh come on, we all look a bit better putting a bit of natural make up on. And that’s from someone who doesn’t wear it 6 days out of 7 but does make an effort when needed!

weebleswobblebuttheydontfallover · 28/08/2026 22:37

Luckydog7 · 28/08/2026 22:33

Agree with pp, lots of things are weird.

We pootle around in metal boxes powered by contained explosions.

We eat meat and secretions from other animals.

We dig up old bones and put them in museums so we can stare at them.

So many...

Make up is designed to make us more attractive AKA younger and more fertile looking. Red lips simulate arousal. Dark eye make up makes them look larger and more 'youthful'. Think of it like a peacock showing off his feathers. Lots of animals do similar. It's actually much less bizarre then most of the stuff we do.

I definitely agree that lots of things are weird.

However in nature it’s frequently the males that are trying to make themselves more attractive to females. So makeup only on women really is weird in that regard. It’s not like men aren’t interested in sex and have to be convinced by a smoky eye.

Illegally18 · 28/08/2026 22:35

Luckydog7 · 28/08/2026 22:33

Agree with pp, lots of things are weird.

We pootle around in metal boxes powered by contained explosions.

We eat meat and secretions from other animals.

We dig up old bones and put them in museums so we can stare at them.

So many...

Make up is designed to make us more attractive AKA younger and more fertile looking. Red lips simulate arousal. Dark eye make up makes them look larger and more 'youthful'. Think of it like a peacock showing off his feathers. Lots of animals do similar. It's actually much less bizarre then most of the stuff we do.

Yes to all.

Newname26 · 28/08/2026 22:35

Yes its weird but its been a thing for thousands of years

I don't do mental in ears, it's minging, yet I know people who do do mental in ears, but faint at a nurse doing mental in arm to get blood. That's weird!!

takealettermsjones · 28/08/2026 22:35

Luckydog7 · 28/08/2026 22:33

Agree with pp, lots of things are weird.

We pootle around in metal boxes powered by contained explosions.

We eat meat and secretions from other animals.

We dig up old bones and put them in museums so we can stare at them.

So many...

Make up is designed to make us more attractive AKA younger and more fertile looking. Red lips simulate arousal. Dark eye make up makes them look larger and more 'youthful'. Think of it like a peacock showing off his feathers. Lots of animals do similar. It's actually much less bizarre then most of the stuff we do.

I read once that red lipstick was to make the mouth look like... genitalia 😳

Luckydog7 · 28/08/2026 22:33

Agree with pp, lots of things are weird.

We pootle around in metal boxes powered by contained explosions.

We eat meat and secretions from other animals.

We dig up old bones and put them in museums so we can stare at them.

So many...

Make up is designed to make us more attractive AKA younger and more fertile looking. Red lips simulate arousal. Dark eye make up makes them look larger and more 'youthful'. Think of it like a peacock showing off his feathers. Lots of animals do similar. It's actually much less bizarre then most of the stuff we do.

Gowlett · 28/08/2026 22:33

It’s the ritual of it more than anything for me.

EssCarGo · 28/08/2026 22:31

It’s not weird I don’t think really; it’s been going on for thousands of years, same as tattooing your skin.

BigWig78 · 28/08/2026 22:30

Yeah it is weird bit most things are when you think too long about them. Clothes? Weird. Jewellery ? Weird. Working is quite weird too as the concept of money is also weird. Sex is weird. Eating and pooping quite weird.

so yeah. We are weird.

weebleswobblebuttheydontfallover · 28/08/2026 22:30

takealettermsjones · 28/08/2026 22:27

Well, why do you put your photos in nice frames rather than just blu-tacking them to the wall? 😂😉

What’s weird though is how it’s almost obligatory for women in many professional contexts, but frowned on for men.

PollyBell · 28/08/2026 22:28

I dont wear it no need

Chickadiddy · 28/08/2026 22:28

It's totally weird.
We're all just socially conditioned to be discontent with our natural look so that they can sell us shit to paint ourselves with.

ClassActress · 28/08/2026 22:27

I wear makeup everyday. It never involves black lines, smudges or colouring in my lips.

takealettermsjones · 28/08/2026 22:27

Well, why do you put your photos in nice frames rather than just blu-tacking them to the wall? 😂😉

PermanentTemporary · 28/08/2026 22:23

Yes it is a bit strange. Some sort of adornment of the body or face is pretty common in most societies though.

I didn’t wear any for years and years and then started again a year or so ago. I’m genuinely shocked how good it looks tbh.

SprogletsMum · 28/08/2026 22:21

Lots of things are weird if you think about them. I have sparkly bits of metal in my ears. Weird.