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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder what possess someone to apply their make up on the train?

156 replies

Bearbehind · 04/03/2015 20:26

Is that extra 5 minutes in bed really worth it when you have to apply your make up on the train?

Woman opposite me on the train proceeded to empty half of Boots onto the table and put her make up on.

The funniest bit was the lipstick application- I've never seen someone make a perfect 'O' with their move to put on Lipton- could help thinking of those dodgy blow up dolls!

Who is actually so unphased by it they they can do it?

OP posts:
kungfupannda · 05/03/2015 07:51

I used to find this weirdly uncomfortable when I was commuting in London. I know it isn't rational, but I think it was the sense that the person wanted a make-up on to go about their day, but didn't care about the people on the train seeing them, as though they weren't real people somehow.

Irrational, I know, but I always found it a bit odd.

DurhamDurham · 05/03/2015 07:52

I would touch up lipstick, mascara and eyeliner, maybe even attempt the bags under my eyes with my touché éclat, I don't think I would be 'brave' enough to apply foundation or tinted moisturiser in public.

I don't mind other people doing it, I find it fascinating and would watch, not stare, but you know keep looking back to see hoe it was Progressing Grin

My pet hates on the train are smelly food and people who think that their bag deserves a seat of it's own when the train is packed.

Mumbehavingbadly · 05/03/2015 07:56

I've just realised that I ONLY do my make-up on the train.
Only really wear it to work and on special occasions/nights out and I'll be darned if I'm not going to make practical use of my time during that long commute.
My make-up bag is designed for the commute - mirror and non spill containers, tissues, moisturiser and a pouch for my earrings which I will add as a final touch.
I can't see why me drawing on my own face should bother anyone else

  • but don't get me started on those people who intrude on the shared space by eating hot strong smelling food or farting or not using a handkerchief or better still staying at home during prolonged mucus splattering sneezing and coughing when clearly very ill .
netty7070 · 05/03/2015 08:01

I have to leave v early so put my slap on in an office I share with another person (male). He couldn't care less.

When I lived in London I put make-up on on the train every day. It's not like you're picking your nose or waxing (hopefully..). I actively enjoy watching women put slap on, I love their absorption and transformation.

derailleurdePan · 05/03/2015 08:04

"I put mine on bit by bit in the traffic jam on the way to work!" - you really, really shouldn't be doing this, or 'boasting' about it.

HellKitty · 05/03/2015 08:31

Before we lived together I'd frequently get a train over to DPs if he wasn't staying with me. In the hour journey I'd do my full makeup so I'd look fabulous (in my head) when he picked me up. I remember one guy looking fascinated whenever I clocked him looking. Well he might have been horrified after reading the OP! It passed a very boring one hour journey. And a bit NO to doing it in the toilets, have you seen the state of them?!

greenbanana · 05/03/2015 09:33

I really enjoy watching people apply makeup on the train. As long as they don't have a problem with me staring, it's fine! Hate it if anyone files their nails though, sets my teeth on edge.

I once saw a woman apply eyeliner on a moving bus, while standing. It was brilliant, I almost applauded her when she finished.

netty7070 · 05/03/2015 09:35

Painting nails isn't OK though. The polish smells. I once saw an ex-teacher of mine on a coach, feet up on the seat, painting her toenails! Shock

HellKitty · 05/03/2015 09:38

Worst thing I've coped with on that train journey was a woman eating chicken crisps, a big fucking bag, in the seat in front. Honking isn't a strong enough word.

Branleuse · 05/03/2015 09:43

i dont see the big deal. Its putting make up on, not taking a dump

Loandbehold · 05/03/2015 09:46

I hate it, it's unhygienic and rude.

Thumbwitch · 05/03/2015 09:48

Kebabs or MacD's smell really bad as well, I've found.

EveBoswell · 05/03/2015 09:50

I couldn't do it because it's always been considered to be bad form. Would you take a bag of clothes and change out of your nightie on the train? No, thought not. Putting on make up is part of getting dressed. It's infra dig, (looked down on) frankly.

Housewife2010 · 05/03/2015 09:51

I think it's terribly vulgar. Public hair brushing isn't pleasant either and applying a spray perfume in public is beyond the pale!

Tizwailor · 05/03/2015 09:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CaTsMaMmA · 05/03/2015 10:11

I can do eyeliner, lippy and a waft of mascara ...ALL without a mirror, I do need a mirror for more concentrated mascara or eyeshadow though. And weirdly I simply cannot put moisturiser on without a mirror, it's like I don't know where my face is

bus/car/train....the only worry I have is if I do it in the car as a passenger with a mirror then it'll provoke my car sickness. I only struggle on trains if not facing direction of travel :o

And have also done makeup as a driver in a queue using rear view mirror as required. Can't be any more distracting than cd changing or driver seat discoing

CaTsMaMmA · 05/03/2015 10:12

I can do eyeliner, lippy and a waft of mascara ...ALL without a mirror, I do need a mirror for more concentrated mascara or eyeshadow though. And weirdly I simply cannot put moisturiser on without a mirror, it's like I don't know where my face is

bus/car/train....the only worry I have is if I do it in the car as a passenger with a mirror then it'll provoke my car sickness. I only struggle on trains if not facing direction of travel :o

And have also done makeup as a driver in a queue using rear view mirror as required. Can't be any more distracting than cd changing or driver seat discoing

CaTsMaMmA · 05/03/2015 10:12

twice, apparently 3)

MonstrousRatbag · 05/03/2015 10:36

The only time it really annoys me is when I'm sitting next to someone doing it and they get very exuberant with the powder. My clothes are not enhanced by having a heavy dusting of someone's bronzer all over them.

Tizwailor · 05/03/2015 10:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Jessica147 · 05/03/2015 11:05

I used to do mascara, eyeliner and lipstick on the bus, and full face when on a train journey. Now I quite often do it in the car when DP is driving. Usually use a wet wipe to clean off excess foundation afterwards. Never bothered washing hands before starting though - my hands aren't particularly dirty and skin is pretty good at keeping out germs. Always washed hands before putting in contact lenses though - now that is a challenge on a train!

CandyApocalypse · 05/03/2015 11:17

I love watching people put on make-up. It reminds me of being little and watching my mum do it before she went to work/on a night out. Sadly no one on my commute does it, although I do get to listen to an interesting variety of music instead as hardly anyone uses headphones.

It takes me around fifteen minutes to do my makeup, most of that is my eyes as I struggle with blending. I do mine in the house and have to get up at 5.45am to do so, I can hardly blame people who would rather the extra time in bed.

I don't care how people fill the dead time commuting to be honest as long as it doesn't stink and I don't end up with an elbow to the face.

funkybuddah · 05/03/2015 11:26

Optomist1! How was she curling her lashes?

Capricorn76 · 05/03/2015 11:38

I don't like seeing it either. I guess it feels too intimate and maybe even slightly attention seeking.

What I really dislike is hair flicking. I once stood behind a woman on a train who constantly flicked her hair near my face. I eventually tapped her on the shoulder and asked her to stop as although it wasn't directly hitting me it was just so close and just felt really rude.

VeryAgedParent · 05/03/2015 11:48

I am so old and ugly that I will not leave the house in the morning without my makeup! So at 6.15 in the morning I am sitting on the train fully made up!.

Personally I think putting on makeup on the train is a bit tacky but so many do it that I've gotten used to it. Mind you shaving with an eletric razor, eating a bowl of cereal or applying deodorant is equally tacky.

My pet hate is people (generally youngsters) who drink those energy drinks first thing in the morning, the stench is incredible!!!!