The feeling of makeup

No, maybe you have a sensory issue?
I don't wear it because I can't be bothered, but on the few occassions I have worn it when younger, I couldn't feel it at all.

I remember when I was younger that I could always feel foundation on my skin but these days I never do. I assumed it was just down to modern formulations being better. I can't feel eye makeup or lipstick.

I can't feel ordinary nail polish but I can definitely feel gel nails on the very odd occasion that I've had them done, and I don't really like the feeling.

It must be very individual. I have not worn nail polish since I was 14 or 15, principally because it feels so heavy on my nails. I adore the feeling of makeup, however, and find applying foundation a sensual pleasure. Not something cloggy and gunky like Max Factor, though- something light.

I don't always wear it, but I can't feel it when I do. I wonder how women manage not to feel really uncomfortable in heavy false eyelashes though.

Once, a few years ago, I tried those salon eyelash extensions. It was made clear to me that I wasn't to get them wet for 24 hours (if I'm remembering correctly), and I shouldn't touch or rub my eyelids. Now THAT was a pain in the arse.

Eh? I can't feel anything. What makeup were you using and how much did you put on that it feels like that?! 😲

Nope, I can’t feel make-up and don’t find it uncomfortable. Except very occasionally, when I put too much mascara on and my eyelashes get clumpy and stuck together. And except for lip gloss, but that makes my lips feel nicer.

And having nicely painted nails discourages me from biting my nails until they bleed, so it actually makes me more comfortable.

I feel some kinds, but not all. I wear a moisturiser some parts of the year or my skin gets irritated so it feels very similar. I don't like the way eyeshadow feels, but lip gloss I do.

Some people who have weak nails like nail vanish because it feels heavier and less brittle than their own nails.

Foundation for me urgh I hate the feeling of it. It's like I can feel it on there all the time. Yuk

I also dislike the smell of perfumed products on my face

I also hate the feeling of nail varnish - I thought this was just me and am relieved to find it is not. It is a strange, hot, tight feeling - I really can't stand it.

I also dislike the feeling of foundation - of whatever quality. Lipstick and eye shadow are OK, but stuff on my skin - NO.

I don’t like the feeling of much mascara, mostly because I have very sensitive eyes and used to wear contact lenses and hated getting stray bits in, but I am not aware of other types of makeup once they are on. Lipstick is a nice feeling - smooth and hydrating.

Having said that, I hardly ever wear any now because I can’t be bothered and am genetically blessed with good skin ( mother and grandmother had lovely skin into their 80s ) When I did used to wear a full face of makeup in my corporate days, I quite liked the sense that it was providing a barrier between my skin and the polluted central London air.

I loathe the feeling of nail varnish though - makes my nails feel smothered so never use it. If that is the equivalent of how some PPs report feeling about facial make up, then sympathies and I don’t blame you for not liking it.

Can't feel anything myself.

I definitely feel makeup. I've given up on eye make up as I have ocular rosacea and all eye make up makes my eyes stream now. I do miss it and feel a bit incomplete without it. I do wear powder foundation, blusher and lip gloss as I think I look better with it. It's quite light so I'm aware of it but it doesn't feel heavy. I feel nail varnish but I don't mind how it feels. I wish it didn't chip so easily though. What I don't like is the feeling I get when I've taken it off - my nails hurt! I've seen other people say the same. Sudden rush of oxygen to the nails/skin?

I cannot imagine wearing 'modern' make up with everything airbrushed within an inch of its life and 26 different colours on my eyes.it looks so over the top for everyday. I'm always going for the me-but-better look.

I can feel absolutely every bit of make up I wear, even BB cream feels weird. I can really relate to the pp who used the word distracting. I don't really wear it much these days.

I'm also surprised to learn that there are people who can't feel it at all.

Someone mentioned autism and that makes me wonder too. I have autistic children and given what I've learned about autism I'm certain my late father was autistic too. I have other sensory issues (sudden loud noises give me a creeping itch all over, plus certain types of lighting make me feel odd, other stuff too) and sometimes I do wonder about myself.

Sounds like you were using crap make up to be honest...

You beat me to it.

And you don’t have to worry on my behalf, I don’t ‘endure’ anything for the sake of fashion/beauty either. I find it’s possible to both look groomed and be comfortable wearing the products I favour and so do most women I know.

My nails do feel unnaturally smooth when I wear mail polish, but it's quite a pleasant sensation so it doesn't bother me at all.

Both cheap teen crap and professionally done with quality products. I end up subconsciously wiping it off within half an hour, because my skin feels weird, and my brain feels weird, so I keep accidentally touching/rubbing/wiping my face.

I do have sensitive skin generally, reacts to metals, can't wear jewellery without getting a rash (except my white gold wedding ring), though I'm not generally sensory sensitive.

Time40 nail varnish makes my fingers feel heavy or something, it's sort of like my nails can't breathe... it's difficult to describe, but it's a suffocating sort of feeling. I am aware of how mad that sounds, btw It's a shame, because I like how they look with nail polish on, I just cannot bear how it feels.

I can’t feel it at all either.

It isn’t all the same, though. When I used to do stage stuff (decades ago at uni) I could really feel the specific stage makeup they used to make us wear. It was thicker and kind of claggy on the skin. To a lesser extent I imagine there are differences in how different types and formulas of “normal” makeup feel today.

Certainly it shouldn’t ever sting your eyes though, and I would hope nobody is putting up with that.

I can't feel it, and if I can, I use a different product. I have very dry skin, so even if I don't wear make-up, I have a reasonably heavy moisturiser and lip balm on my face, and the make-up I wear doesn't feel noticeably different from that. I basically remember a cakey sensation when I was a teenager, but none of the stuff I use nowadays feels like that.

I wear make-up some days, and enjoy it when I do.
Other days, I don't wear make-up, and I enjoy it when I don't.

I'd assumed everyone else got that horrible feeling, but endured it for the sake of fashion/beauty

Sorry, but I find that comment really weird. And a bit patronising. Do you really think women are such sheep?

I dislike the feeling of nail varnish too, really can't bear it

But ... but ... what is there to feel? I don't get that one, at all. How can it feel any different to not wearing nail varnish?

I know what people mean about feeling uncomfortable in facial make-up, though. I can't feel eye make-up or lipstick, but I know when I'm wearing foundation.

Really, there are people who can't feel makeup?

How odd- I was thinking really, there people who can feel make -up?

Mascara/ eyeliner definitely used to sting my eyes. And foundation made me feel... idk, sticky? Plus it always highlighted where my skin was dry. But the worst for me was constantly feeling anxious about whether it had sweated off my face or smudged everywhere. I feel much more confident now I don't wear it. It was definitely cheap makeup though.