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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to wear make up and high heels

262 replies

WheresTheCat · 31/01/2012 11:42

Harumph. Have just skimmed through Julie Birchill's article in the weekend papers (I know - I'm running behind!) Apparently women only wear heels and make up as we are slaves to men.

I am so fed up with all the judgements about what women wear. Surely we should wear what we want as long as we're happy. For me it's high heels and make up, for my BF it's trainers and jeans. It doesn't matter.

And, Julie Birchill, it doesn't make me a bad person/anti-feminist/unintelligent if I choose to dress the way I do.

OP posts:
GeekCool · 31/01/2012 11:49

YANBU in my opinion. How you dress is how you dress, it's not about anyone else.

entropygirl · 31/01/2012 11:49

YABU

you are normalizing painful and damaging footwear.

Also make up might not have seemed bad in the 1930's but the next step is cosmetic surgery, and what will be next after that?

You are a walking advert for 'looking like yourself isn't good enough' and i think you deserve a Biscuit

lovesadirtylie · 31/01/2012 11:49

I love make up but I cant get on with high heels, I mean I think they look fab but they just hurt Confused

I like to stomp about in DM's with a 'fuck you' scowl on my (heavily made up ) face Grin

seriously, wear what you like, one of the benefits of being female (I think) is the greater freedom to express yourself through your appearance.

entropygirl · 31/01/2012 11:51

How you dress is only not about anyone else if no one else see you. I am assuming that you wear said clothing out and about? If you only do it at home and alone then of course geek is right and it is no one else's business.

lovesadirtylie · 31/01/2012 11:52

entropygirl I dont agree that make up is the slippery slope to surgery!!
( although I tend to view high heels as a modern equivalent of chinese foot binding...but thats just me)

Pagwatch · 31/01/2012 11:53

I don't give a shit what Julie Birchell says.

GetOrfMoiiLand · 31/01/2012 11:54

Is Julie Birchill still harping on about high heels?

Is it 1994 again?

Kayano · 31/01/2012 11:54

I am obsessed with makeup. It started as a confidence thing but I love colours!!!

I'm also 5'2 and love high heels! They make my legs look long and nice as opposed to stumps Grin

DH actually prefers flats but I don't and I hate the thought people think women only dress up to look good for men. He was amazed how long I wore heels for and I'm 38 weeks pregnant! Lol

I do it for ME Grin

I have MAC vouchers burning a hole in my pocket ATM actually

LesserOfTwoWeevils · 31/01/2012 11:54

YANBU.
Heard a brilliant quote from RuPaul last week: "We're born naked. Everything else is drag."

entropygirl · 31/01/2012 11:54

ha - well maybe it's just that my face cannot be improved without surgery :) so I am jealous of those for whom a little slap can make a world of difference.

I think make up says 'I'd rather you didn't see how I actually look' which I think is a damaging message overall.

Kayano · 31/01/2012 11:55

After make up the next step is cosmetic surgery?

Watf have you been taking?!

entropygirl · 31/01/2012 11:56

Well what is the point of make up? I thought it was to look better than you do without it. What is the point of cosmetic surgery?

entropygirl · 31/01/2012 11:57

Some sort of gene therapy next I think....

lovesadirtylie · 31/01/2012 11:58

entropy girl, I absolutely see your point...but I still find it fun to paint my face
(I'm sure you're just gorgeous Grin )

RealitySickOfSick · 31/01/2012 12:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
WheresTheCat · 31/01/2012 12:00

Hmm, don't see the connection between make up and cosmetic surgery - I looove make up, but would never ever consider cosmetic surgery.
And Pagwitch - you're right!
I'll have the MAC voucher Kayano! Grin

OP posts:
entropygirl · 31/01/2012 12:00

ahh well if you enjoy doing it then fine. Actually if it was face painting I think I could get into it. Imagine rocking up to work with a tiger face! Awesome!

If you are wearing make up to cover up what you actually look like then I think you are saying to the world in general that, a) I think looks are really important b) it's worth spending wasting time looking as good as possible (although you could always go for a face lift instead) c) I don't like the way I was born looking.

I think all of those messages are damaging to individuals and to society.

Moveslikejagger · 31/01/2012 12:01

So make up is the first step to cosmetic surgery? what a load of utter crap.

I never wear make up but really I think that's nonsense.

MissBerta · 31/01/2012 12:01

Is Julie Birchill still harping on.

I wear make up but have no desire (or need for) cosmetic surgery.

A little slap does actually make a huge difference to me!

squeakytoy · 31/01/2012 12:01

I am with Kayano here. Height wise too.

I dont find it painful wearing high heels. In fact I find the most painful footwear are things with toe-pegs.

I wear make up some days because it makes ME feel better.. I dont give a shit about what anyone else thinks about my face.

I am not sending out or receiving any damaging messages...

And Julie Birchell is one of the most hyprocritical, self obsessed, and deluded twats in journalism.

entropygirl · 31/01/2012 12:02

wheres but what if someone sees you all slapped up and thinks - I wish I looked like that but I dont have the eye shape/cheek bones/lack of wrinkles....my only option is surgery. It isnt just personal to you...it is the message that society gets from your actions.

MissBerta · 31/01/2012 12:03

I don't do heels.

I look like Dick Emery when I wear them

Ooh you are awful. But I like you.

entropygirl · 31/01/2012 12:05

I am not saying that everyone who wears make up will eventually have surgery. But building a society that values make up and has a base level of acceptance that women will do what ever they can to look better in the mornings is what creates the climate in which a teenager wants a boob job.

Other people see what's literally written all over your face. It tells them that you think being made up is a good thing. It tells them that you value the look of a person (possible over the content but how can you tell just by looking).

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 31/01/2012 12:06

YANBU....I also love make up and high heels and for anyone to suggest the next step is surgery - well, thats just crazy!!

I dont Slap it on, I just like to look nice - for ME! I have self respect and as a result I like to feel good about myself and make an effort for me. It has fuck all to do with anyone else. As for high heels, well I wear them because I like them ...simple!!

I think a lot of these things actually damage feminism.... a big deal seems to be made out of trivial stuff, all the important stuff they advocate gets lost as people just see them as a bunch of loons!

Kayano · 31/01/2012 12:06

Entropy. Make up applied in different ways can dramatically change the appearance of your eyeshape/ cheekbones.

Contouring does wonders for a rounded pregnant face :D

Experimentation with makeup is FUN