Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Just how bad is it to apply make-up at your desk? And what about cyclists getting changed and draping their kit all over the place?

243 replies

ChickenVindaloo · 27/10/2016 19:17

Following on from the thread about eating breakfast at work, can we discuss applying make-up at your desk?

I have a complicated skin-care routine and like to have time for my various creams to sink in before applying make-up. I also find that I get sweaty on my commute (I'm unfit) or my make-up can be ruined by rain.

I get to work via a combination of very busy buses/car/walking. (On different days).

Does it matter if the office is open-plan or more private? Is it wrong to apply perfume? Most of my colleagues are other women, if that matters. Does it depend if it's full on contouring vs a bit of lipgloss?

Also, some folk cycle and change at work. The office then looks like a teenager's bedroom with clothes draped everywhere.

Many thanks for your thoughts!

OP posts:
crashdoll · 28/10/2016 22:30

I don't apply make up whilst commuting because it's frowned upon to be doing so whilst driving on the M25 but I can't see how another person applying make up on a train or bus affects anyone else. Smelly food is smelly and lingers. Loud music is loud and antisocial.

Unless you're flicking blusher over the person next to you or elbowing someone while you apply mascara, how does it impact upon another person? Confused

crashdoll · 28/10/2016 22:31

StrictlyPan Nope, no "real man", maybe a "fake" man though. Wink

MUjunkie · 29/10/2016 04:33

Hmm I work in a sunbed/salon/beauticians and it's great! I can sit all day doing my make up and hair and no one bats an eyelid haha

KoalaDownUnder · 29/10/2016 05:07

It's personal grooming, isn't it? Like brushing your hair or filing your nails. All personal grooming activities are to be done in private.

Yes, it's rude and crass to groom yourself on public transport. No, I'm not a snob (far from it).

PoppyBirdOnAWire · 29/10/2016 10:04

That's it in a nutshell.

woowoowoo · 29/10/2016 11:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WeAllHaveWings · 29/10/2016 11:41

Applying makeup at desk is unprofessional, finish getting ready at home and top up in loo if needed.

Spraying perfume is inconsiderate.

Hanging wet/sweaty cycling gear is gross.

None of the above goes on in our workplace, not because it's banned, just because colleagues are professional and respectful.

PoppyBirdOnAWire · 29/10/2016 12:13

Perhaps it says something about the workplaces of some posters. Lol

Salmotrutta · 29/10/2016 12:26

I think it's wrong to carry out your personal grooming in public/the workplace and back when I was young (a long time ago!) it was definitely considered the height of bad manners to even comb you hair in public.
Now I see people brushing their hair all over the place, applying full make up in public places, even spraying their deodorant on under their clothes.

But maybe I'm hopelessly old-fashioned to think it's bad manners - I'm sure someone will come along and tell me I am! Grin

candybeek · 29/10/2016 12:32

Ooh controversial.
Personally whilst I can get up early enough to eat breakfast at home, I am so vein that I check my little face randomly through out the day to make sure I'm still looking fabulous and apply touch ups as necessary whilst tutting loudly at those eating with their mouth open spitting food everywhere.

Salmotrutta · 29/10/2016 12:38

I should clarify - it's okay to put your make up on in the workplace loos and if you have arrived early in order to do that but frankly I'd rather leave the house "ready to go".

SuperFlyHigh · 29/10/2016 12:38

Poppy where did I say it took pride or I was feeling proud to apply makeup on the train?!

I meant I take pride in my appearance and if that means applying makeup on a train so be it.

You really don't get me do you, I was gently poking fun at you with my lippy comment as you seem to be so outraged by this,

But then as another poster noted I have noticed you tend either to stir things up or get riled and won't back down on other posts... Telling eh?! Hmm

SuperFlyHigh · 29/10/2016 12:41

I'm quite confused here, so makeup putting on is a no no in a public place. Do you class public toilets as a public place and if so how many of you touch up your makeup there or brush your hair or heaven forbid put on some makeup there, eg after work?

Because these are public places so that should be wrong, yes? head tilt

Nanny0gg · 29/10/2016 12:47

I think it's wrong to carry out your personal grooming in public/the workplace and back when I was young (a long time ago!) it was definitely considered the height of bad manners to even comb you hair in public.
Now I see people brushing their hair all over the place, applying full make up in public places, even spraying their deodorant on under their clothes.

But maybe I'm hopelessly old-fashioned to think it's bad manners - I'm sure someone will come along and tell me I am!

No, you're a woman after my own heart!

If you need to apply/reapply makeup, do your hair or nails or put on perfume, go in the loos. I assume they have mirrors and sinks (I wash my hands after applying foundation) and reasonable lighting?

Salmotrutta · 29/10/2016 14:12

Well, SuperFlyHigh - it's okay to do personal grooming in public loos I suppose.

They're not actually "public" in the true sense of the word are they now? Hmm.

And if you are doing full make-up, hair brushing etc. In a public loo you're hogging a sink and mirror so holding up some poor woman who just wants to wash her hands and quickly check she doesn't have something stuck to her teeth.

SuperFlyHigh · 29/10/2016 14:25

Salmostrutta but I DON'T put on full makeup in public toilets! Only touch up lipstick and brush hair if it needs it but that is it!

Some people I know do use it for that purpose though. If there's a vanity counter then why not?

Also if you've paid for drinks/food etc then surely you should be able to utilise the washroom as you wish as long as it is not excessive.

I did have this once years ago actually, got train down to a milestone birthday party some miles away, was staying in a local hotel. My hotel room wasn't ready yet and I didn't know people at the party well enough apart from birthday girl to pop round to see them and use their bathrooms etc. So headed into hotel toilets and did a quick makeup job in time for the party which was a meal and changed quickly too. All in an otherwise quiet washroom/toilet. I also took less time than I'd normally take but there was a vanity mirror and seated section in the hotel washrooms.

SuperFlyHigh · 29/10/2016 14:27

I'm so relieved though Salmo that I've got your seal of approval as to what is ok or not ok in a public toilet.

You have no idea how many times I've worried myself stupid or cried at night wondering if I'm being silently judged on the train etc whilst putting on my makeup. Hmm

itsbetterthanabox · 29/10/2016 15:08

Poppybird
Because I think it's rude and misogynistic for you to have such views about women.

AddToBasket · 29/10/2016 15:36

Some of the responses on here are so pompous.

I'm gobsmacked by how anyone can care where someone else applies make up. WHY?! And, yes, just throwing words like 'crass' or 'standards' at this is meaningless without something to back that position up.

The truth is objection to making up is just an objection to something feminine in a male (work/travel) sphere. Putting on make up is just too girly for society and it should be done behind closed doors. Because, essentially, women should park being women at work.

And to the poster who mentioned 'tarting up' as part of her put down: this is the give away, isn't it? Make up is for women who should be sexually shamed?

KoalaDownUnder · 29/10/2016 16:08

The truth is objection to making up is just an objection to something feminine in a male (work/travel) sphere.

Oh, crap. As if a single woman on this thread thinks of work or travel as a 'male sphere'.

I would say exactly the same thing about a man doing his hair or nails on a train. Or on a park bench, or in a shopping mall, or anywhere else that's not a bathroom.

SuperFlyHigh · 29/10/2016 16:36

Koala a man is fully entitled to do his hair or nails on the train.

However I and my fellow make uppers do not clip or file nais on the train.

Also men take far less time in their personal grooming than women do.

I never get any comments on my doing my makeup and nor do others.

In fact one woman on the train watches something on her iPad, drinks a hot drink in a thermos flask and makes up with eyeshadow etc. I never do eyeshadow! It really is very common how many women make up on the train and they seem to be all classes etc. gives me an insight into what they use too!

beebeautiful · 29/10/2016 17:17

That's the problem with asking for opinions on this website. You are asking a range of people from feminine to manly!
You are asking a massive variety of people from those who could be your best friend to people you have zero in common with.

Personally I'd apply make up when and wherever I want to. I love looking feminine & attractive. I've seen some dowdy women give me dirty looks but so what, I see it as jealousy!

PoppyBirdOnAWire · 29/10/2016 18:29

beebeautiful:
They are probably thinking you are ill-bred and lacking in class!

PoppyBirdOnAWire · 29/10/2016 18:29

I imagine you adore TOWIE!

beebeautiful · 29/10/2016 18:46

Haha poppy! You are clearly low in self esteem bless you.

Ps I don't like towie.

You need to find yourself some happiness instead of being so rude & judgemental. Thank god I don't know you in real life!