To think a woman can look professional and presentable at work without make-up?

[RevoltingPeasant]

I have been pondering this recently, as a new convert to the Style & Beauty forum.

I go through stages with make-up, where sometimes I can't be bothered for weeks and then I wear the whole shebang every day for ages. I don't think 'looking professional' depends on make-up: I would say neat slacks and blouse with understated jewelry and a generally 'on-task' manner counts as a professional appearance.

But I have noticed quite a lot of people who feel they have to wear make-up for work. Is this so in your workplace? Would you care if you were interviewing for a post and a female candidate was bare-faced? AIBU to think you can look totally professional without paint?

I am guessing that it's because you/she thought I was saying make-up was infantilising?

NO.

A clown wears face paint, you are basically calling people who wear make-up a clown.

Nice.

No. She is not saying that.

But read it that way if you must.

I can't think what the hygiene issue with facial make up in a hospital would be tbh.

I think some people are overthinking the 'paint' reference. Don't lots of women call it their war paint anyway, or did I just invent that?

Lily - I wear make-up!! Today I am wearing base, eyeliner and eye-pencil, mascara, lip balm and lipstick. I'm not a clown and I don't think anyone else is. I haven't said that, didn't mean it, and don't think it's a reasonable extrapolation from what I did say.

I really am going to leave this now as I've tried to explain what I meant but you seem determined to misunderstand/ take offence.

Would a man who wears make up because of his 'sub culture' (eg Goth) be seen as more or less professional because of that?

Just wondering.....

Vinegar I couldn't think either, but a PP said there was. Do you have to take it off when you scrub up, as a surgeon?

I can't think what the hygiene issue with facial make up in a hospital would be tbh.

I think some people are overthinking the 'paint' reference. Don't lots of women call it their war paint anyway, or did I just invent that?

I've tried to explain what I meant but you seem determined to misunderstand

No, that's very much you.

Especially singling people out when you have been asking them the same question throughout the thread.

Lily the statement was made by someone who also wears makeup.

And men do wear makeup! menpen

very sadly I think so. A few years ago, my male emo students often wore eyeliner etc and got told during a 3rd year careers talk to take it off for interviews. There was bit of a hoo-ha about it, actually.

Argh sorry for double post.

Revolting - no, not as far as I know (and I work in a specialty that involves scrubbing multiple times a day). We wear face masks to operate.

My 83 year-old neighbour < who hasn't a wrinlke or sagging bit anywhere> wears mascara, eyeshadow and lippy. Very subtle though.

I'm much younger and use moisturiser, subtle blusher and subtle lippy, but only when I go out socially. < it does brighten my face up>

Oh do feel free to talk about me, not to me! :o

I tried talking to you Binks but you didn't appear to be listening.

Some people love to see offence where none was intended Revolting - ignore them.

"Putting on your war paint" is indeed a phrase that's used for make-up.

As is "Putting on slap" - does "slap" offend you Lily?

Salmotrutta are you just looking for an argument?

I found a term offensive. So did two other people.

Am I not allowed to express that without you having to jump in with snide comments?

yanbu, i hate the way women are expected to wear make up

but even more than that i hate the way silly high heeled shoes are considered to look professional

grr

I don't think anyone needs makeup in order to look professional but make up can obviously enhance how polished someone looks. Doesn't make them more professional though. It's only in the last few years that I have worn make up regularly, I didn't bother in my 20s and early 30s and happily climbed the career ladder! I enjoy wearing it now but allow my skin to breathe at the weekends so tend to not use foundation. I travel a lot with work and interestingly can say there are definitely some countries where I feel women in a corporate environment spend a lot more time on grooming (including make up). New York, Paris and Madrid spring to mind.

No I'm not looking for an argument.

I just don't think the use of "paint" is offensive.

And it's an Internet forum. I'll jump in whenever I like thanks, if its all the same to you?

I just don't think the use of "paint" is offensive.

Well I find the term face paint offensive yes.

So what?

I've expressed it. It was responded to by the person I expressed it to.

And then you jumped in to give your horrible and snide comment.

Uncalled for.

Horrible and snide.

If you say so.

Ok lets not turn this into a bunfight.

Salmo I don't believe your comment (or any of your comments) are horrible, but there have been a couple of snide ones.

I've felt you've been patronising to me on this thread. A bit surprised as I've never spoken to you ever.

But that's the nature of AIBU I suppose.

Please carry on with the debate and leave the buns out of it.

I love the transformation from no make-up me to, okay, fake me, with the foundation, the eyes, lips and everything! I'm getting older and it's taking longer to master the plastering on effect. I want to still make the effOrT for myself, not fer no bloke but me. We re all different but it's obvious when someone has a makeover they look blinking fab.

I truly love make up & I'll never apologise for that. I know how to apply it & know what suits me, I'm also pretty intelligent, like radio 4 & classical music.

Just in case anyone may have thought otherwise in the MN black 'n' white world....