In thinking that good make-up is deceptive?

[Moominsummermadness]

Well of course it's supposed to be. That's the whole point of it. Even very subtle make-up is worn to make us look prettier, younger, healthier. This morning, I was rushing around trying to get four DCs ready to get two of them to panto rehearsals, and then on to my parents house, yet I 'had' to find the time to put some make-up on.

I've been told that I am pretty, but it is all an illusion. I scare even myself with my bare reflection sometimes. I won't go out of the house without at least some concealer under my eyes, mascara and blusher. It makes me feel weird, almost naked. I would love to have the confidence to go make-up free, but the odd time I have been to work without a full face of slap, I have been questioned about the state of my health.

I have four DDs, and hope that at least one of them doesn't turn out as vain as her mother .

I'm like you but worse. The only time I leave the house without at least eyeliner is when I'm dropping my DD to school, and then only if I'm wearing sunglasses.
She's 14 and says she's not going to wear makeup. I am hugely relieved my insecurity/vanity/whatever hasn't rubbed off on her.

I'm the same - always wear make up - I don't feel dressed without it.

I will go out without make up on but i think i look better with it though one person told me not to bother i am fine just how i am I would never go out somewhere important without make up- its just who i am, foundation, macara and eye liner come with me in my bag!

I'm the other way. Difficult childhood and never really learnt how to apply make up properly. I'd love to learn how and what bits are the minimum etc.

Ha I second being questioned about health! The few times i've gone out barefaced I get 'ooh are you feeling ok? You look a bit peaky' or someone worrying that i'm feeling low.. I have an olive complexion though, my mum used to think I hadn't washed when I didn't wear make up!

The "oooh, are you okay?" comments are why I don't wear makeup every day - if people are used to seeing me looking like a corpse all the time it doesn't come as a shock! I'd rather shock people by scrubbing up surprisingly nicely on special occasions.

Isn't that more likely to be about how people are used to seeing you though, rather than actually looking rough!? If you usually have a full face of make up and then one day go out without it, you look different of course. Doesn't mean you look crap. I have to plaster on a thick layer of stage makeup for my job, so makeing up feels like work to me. I think I look healthier without it.

I only wear what I think is the minimum of makeup (tinted moisturiser, tiny bit of eyeshadow, mascara, no lippy). I don't think I put enough on for other people to notice. I feel weird with more on - like a child dressing up. Maybe I would look gawjuss if I learned to wear more?

Teenagers now wear way more than we did, especially foundation.

I often go without makeup on the weekends but have never done to work or on a night out without it.

I think I look alright without makeup,but it's just part of getting dressed for me really.

No makeup at all looks better than scarily overdone makeup every time though.

Me too Mousefunk, although I am pale and the dark trenches around my eyes freak people out if they are not filled with Clinique.

I would go out without any, but never to work. People would ask me if I was sick.

I wear.. (fascinating information alert :o )

Primer
Foundation
Concealer
Wrinkle concealer
Blusher
Highlighter
One or two eyeshadows
Eyeliner
Mascara
Eyebrow pencil
And lip gloss

Takes me ten minutes (proud!)

I never wear make up don't even own a single piece.

I wear none at all, unless i'm performing in shich case i do mascara. Nobody has ever asked me if I'm not well because of it!

Some fucking idiot lovely chap that was trying to chat me up tried to tell me I was lucky as I didn't "need" any, WTAF? Nobody needs makeup.

It makes me a bit sad, makeup should be for fun and decoration IMO, not for fear of ridicule.

Namechange - I recommend checking out the beauty section on the guardian website. There's a lady on there who uploads really good makeup tips. I can't remember her name off the top of my head.

I very rarely wear make-up as I hate the way it feels on my skin, even when applied professionally by a make-up artist. It makes my skin feel like I've slathered on a peel-off face mask and not peeled it off. You know that horrible claggy, sticky feeling.

I have worn makeup since I was a teen and don't feel "dressed" without it, same for perfume.

I don't wear a huge amount but still feel much better when I have mascara and a bit of blusher on. I look better because, as above, I am asked if I am not well if I don't wear any.

When I have a tan I just use mascara (piggy eyes) but in the winter I use BB, mascara, blusher and lipstain.

there isn't a woman alive who doesn't look better with a bit of makeup. Takes 10 minutes. Makes you feel better, protects and improves your skin. What's not to like?

But it wouldn't for me. I've no idea what to buy, what I need, how not to look over done etc. I once had an estee Lauder make over in an attenmpt to learn and it would have cost hundreds for the stuff and I felt all caked on like I'd been face painted even though it did look nice.

I'd hate to do it and get it wrong and look over done. I suspect people might start noticing too. I'd feel strange going on school run with it too, just feels a bit odd to doll up for that!

I rarely wear make up these days.

And when I do it's a small amount of foundations, concealer, powder, mascara and tinted lip gloss.

I'm in my late 30s and I actually think I look better without it.

Never wear make-up, why? Put millions into companies run by men, exploiting women?
Actually I am just not interested.
If you are unhappy about what your genes have provided, talk to your parents ;-)

pjmama, I really do look rough without it! I have really pasty skin, and very dark circles under my eyes. Always have. At primary school, whenever we had a supply teacher, they would ask if I was feeling ok. After a few times, I started saying I felt unwell in the hope that they would send me home. It didn't work though, as my mum was a teacher in the school, so I'd be sent over to her classroom and have to sit in the corner, bored out of my mind until the end of the school day.

Binks - it's Sali Hughes in the Guardian

I can go make up free but I like looking awake and on the ball... Makes me feel more prepared i suppose.