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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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OtterlyAstounding · 30/08/2026 10:25

Gwenhwyfar · 30/08/2026 10:12

"don't think that covering your skin up under a layer of opaque paint looks 'better' than natural, blotchy skin does – it just looks different, and whether it's better or worse is all subjective."

A particular place and time will have commonly-agreed preferences though.
If my photo with or without makeup was shown to 100 people, most would prefer with foundation so I look better (to most people) with it.

Yes, for the same reason that most people think a hairless vulva or armpits, are more attractive – it's just a sexist norm that's been pushed by companies to sell products. Or perhaps for the same reason sexual strangulation is becoming more and more popular – just plain old misogyny, forcing women to put up with/embrace things that are a net negative for women as a demographic.

It isn't objectively better, and it's misogynistic to say women's faces look objectively worse without make up. It's different, and can be arty and fun, but it's not better, or needed.

Justanopinionnothingmore · 30/08/2026 10:31

I have really long eyelashes but they are wasted on me. Being ginger, I once looked like my forehead started at my eyelids.

I now have eyebrows microbladed and they have changed my face. I look so much better. They are done naturally looking. Mascara makes my eyes pop and I love to see my lashes as thick as my thighs and as dark as my soul.. 😉

Also being really pale, my rosacea signals like a light in the dark 🫠 so cover up is great for that. As for lipsticks, I own sooo many.

I love makeup. It's my battle armour. I am so happy for you that you have absolutely buckets of confidence to not wear any and appear as you are.

But it's a bit sneery to be like heehee I just don't understand whyyyy cue head tilt

Let people be who they are.

Gwenhwyfar · 30/08/2026 10:33

OtterlyAstounding · 30/08/2026 10:25

Yes, for the same reason that most people think a hairless vulva or armpits, are more attractive – it's just a sexist norm that's been pushed by companies to sell products. Or perhaps for the same reason sexual strangulation is becoming more and more popular – just plain old misogyny, forcing women to put up with/embrace things that are a net negative for women as a demographic.

It isn't objectively better, and it's misogynistic to say women's faces look objectively worse without make up. It's different, and can be arty and fun, but it's not better, or needed.

You are totally unreasonable to equate sexual strangulation to makeup!

While you are right that companies selling products affect our beauty standards, that's not all there is to it. Non-capitalist societies also have people enhancing themselves as some of the photos on this thread prove.

"It isn't objectively better, and it's misogynistic to say women's faces look objectively worse without make up. "
I said that most people would prefer the photo of me with foundation on than the one without. It's not the case for all women's photos because some have better skin.

What I find most misogynistic is actually to say that women should be pretty, but without using makeup. It's akin to saying women should be thin, but can't watch their weight or diet. The effort is not allowed as it must come 'naturally'.

OtterlyAstounding · 30/08/2026 10:43

Gwenhwyfar · 30/08/2026 10:33

You are totally unreasonable to equate sexual strangulation to makeup!

While you are right that companies selling products affect our beauty standards, that's not all there is to it. Non-capitalist societies also have people enhancing themselves as some of the photos on this thread prove.

"It isn't objectively better, and it's misogynistic to say women's faces look objectively worse without make up. "
I said that most people would prefer the photo of me with foundation on than the one without. It's not the case for all women's photos because some have better skin.

What I find most misogynistic is actually to say that women should be pretty, but without using makeup. It's akin to saying women should be thin, but can't watch their weight or diet. The effort is not allowed as it must come 'naturally'.

I'm not equating them in degree, just saying the motivation is similar - that it's plain old misogyny. Women as ornaments, and objects.

Yes, people do decorate their bodies and faces to show status, and as artistic or spiritual symbols - sometimes to enhance beauty, generally because of patriarchy. But wearing western 'natural make up' like foundation is simply about trying to cover up 'imperfections'.

I do understand that a lot of people have been socialised to think that women look better painted like dolls. My point is that that's misogynistic.

I would think it's equally misogynistic to say that women should be pretty without using make up. The issue is that women are seen as ornamental objects who are there to be visually pleasing to those around them, not as people. And women have internalised that to the extent that they themselves think their natural faces must be hidden and altered from the world - sometimes never leaving the house without wearing make up, or even not letting their partner see them without it. It's horrible.

Gwenhwyfar · 30/08/2026 10:45

OtterlyAstounding · 30/08/2026 10:43

I'm not equating them in degree, just saying the motivation is similar - that it's plain old misogyny. Women as ornaments, and objects.

Yes, people do decorate their bodies and faces to show status, and as artistic or spiritual symbols - sometimes to enhance beauty, generally because of patriarchy. But wearing western 'natural make up' like foundation is simply about trying to cover up 'imperfections'.

I do understand that a lot of people have been socialised to think that women look better painted like dolls. My point is that that's misogynistic.

I would think it's equally misogynistic to say that women should be pretty without using make up. The issue is that women are seen as ornamental objects who are there to be visually pleasing to those around them, not as people. And women have internalised that to the extent that they themselves think their natural faces must be hidden and altered from the world - sometimes never leaving the house without wearing make up, or even not letting their partner see them without it. It's horrible.

Unfortunately, we live in a society where we are judged for our looks, both men and women. Therefore it's normal that some people use makeup. You might disagree with it, but it's not 'weird' is it?

OtterlyAstounding · 30/08/2026 10:55

Gwenhwyfar · 30/08/2026 10:45

Unfortunately, we live in a society where we are judged for our looks, both men and women. Therefore it's normal that some people use makeup. You might disagree with it, but it's not 'weird' is it?

I didn't say it was weird.

I said it was sad, and also that it was offensive and misogynistic to see women on this thread insulting what women look like without make up.

Gwenhwyfar · 30/08/2026 11:05

OtterlyAstounding · 30/08/2026 10:55

I didn't say it was weird.

I said it was sad, and also that it was offensive and misogynistic to see women on this thread insulting what women look like without make up.

Do you find everything else that people do to enhance themselves sad? Beards? Going to the hairdresser? Buying nice clothes?

I mentioned weird because it's what the thread is about.

OtterlyAstounding · 30/08/2026 11:11

Gwenhwyfar · 30/08/2026 11:05

Do you find everything else that people do to enhance themselves sad? Beards? Going to the hairdresser? Buying nice clothes?

I mentioned weird because it's what the thread is about.

Those aren't equivalent, and I think you know that. Except possibly clothing when it comes to women, especially in particular jobs.

People don't expect someone to have their hair done fresh at the hairdresser every week or they're considered objectively uglier, and in general they don't expect people to dress in any particular way except neatly and cleanly (except when women are expected to dress sexily and impractically, which is a similar issue).

I'm surprised you don't think that it's sad that people think their faces aren't good enough to be seen by society, and that women (women in particular, because men don't have the same expectations of wearing make up) are considered uglier without it. That is, undeniably, sexist.

I'm not sure what there is to disagree on, honestly? You don't think it's sexist that people think women are 'objectively' better looking when changing and hiding their faces with make up?

Gwenhwyfar · 30/08/2026 11:15

"people think their faces aren't good enough to be seen by society"

I don't think most people think that.
Some women don't wear makeup at all and many who do (like me) go without it at certain times e.g. exercising, going to the gym.

"You don't think it's sexist that people think women are 'objectively' better looking when changing and hiding their faces with make up?"

They also think people look better when wearing a nice dress, with a nice hairstyle, etc.

OtterlyAstounding · 30/08/2026 11:35

Gwenhwyfar · 30/08/2026 11:15

"people think their faces aren't good enough to be seen by society"

I don't think most people think that.
Some women don't wear makeup at all and many who do (like me) go without it at certain times e.g. exercising, going to the gym.

"You don't think it's sexist that people think women are 'objectively' better looking when changing and hiding their faces with make up?"

They also think people look better when wearing a nice dress, with a nice hairstyle, etc.

Well, we'll have to agree to disagree, as I think the societal view that women look worse without make up is misogynistic, and entirely subjective besides.

Elsvieta · 30/08/2026 11:59

I suppose because women, historically, have been valued for their looks more than men. And where marriage was concerned, men did the choosing.

I don't wear much of the stuff myself but I know I'm about 50% prettier when I do my eyebrows, so I do. If I skip that people look straight through me.

PinkArt · 30/08/2026 12:32

I've always framed is as women get to wear make up, not that we have to. I had spots for decades, lucky me that it was socially acceptable to wear foundation and concealer in a way it wouldn't have been for a guy. Similar with clothes. Poor sods with their choice between a blue T-shirt and a blue shirt compared to the range of choices women have.
Yes colouring in your face is objectively a weird thing to do. But no more than putting art on your walls, travelling to work underground, watching grown adults pretending to be different grown adults on a screen in your home, drinking rehydrated dried leaves, waving a handheld computer to pay for things etc.

CalmFairy · 30/08/2026 12:54

Some women just dont see how good they look without makeup.
Some just wear very little, clear mascara vaseline for lips and a moisturiser, and they look really good.

Others look like clowns or clones of each other as the makeup is all the same.
Fake lashes nails it just get worse when they have botox and fillers, sorry to say it but it dose make some look older.

Thebigarsedbitch · 30/08/2026 14:45

I think it's totally weird not to wear makeup,as most people look so much better with it, but each to her own. I'll do me and you do you. No further discussion needed!

Hardyperennials · 30/08/2026 14:54

This happens to me when I start thinking about anything too deeply. Better to not think about it, you’ll drive yourself mad.

I’ve used make up daily for 35 years but yes, it’s a weird concept.

BrezhnevsLuxuriantEyebrows · 30/08/2026 18:15

BustPipes · 29/08/2026 22:49

Probably because being tipsy is a hell of a lot of fun.

Absolutely fair enough if you enjoy being drunk; but considering all of the negative effects that can come with drinking a lot of alcohol, I'm very surprised that the vast majority of people automatically opt for the alcoholic versions of otherwise pretty much identical drinks; and not, say, 50/50.

Summernites · 31/08/2026 02:16

Why are people so sure that they look better without makeup and that others do too. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Others may think you’d look much better with makeup. But the choice should be your own. Stop judging others.

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