Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask: if you don't wear make up regularly, what do you genuinely think when you see someone who does?

515 replies

Mingewithafringe · 27/02/2017 13:26

Really interested to hear people's views on this as it's something the socially anxious person in me has always wondered.

I wear a lot of make up by most people's standards. It stems from my teens where I developed bad skin and was just desperate to cover it. It's a lot better now but I have scars and patches that I feel insecure about.
So as well as a concealer and powder foundation, I also fill in my eyebrows daily, wear liquid eyeliner on my top lid, kohl pencil on my waterline, mascara, bronzer and either matte lipstick or a tinted lip balm. Without the eye make up I look tired or ill (people have actually said that!)

This is most days unless I know for sure I won't be going out that day. I have applied it for so many years that it only takes me about 5/10 minutes to put it on in the morning, and the amount of money I spend on make up has just become one of those accepted expenses, although I don't actually spend a lot because aside from my foundation, the rest is usually affordable stuff like Maybelline, Bourjois etc

I go through phases where I just hate the fact that I feel like I have to wear it and so I try to wean myself off it e.g. By not wearing eyeliner or by going for a subtle/minamalistic look. But I just don't feel confident and end up reverting back!

I have always wondered what ladies who don't wear make up are thinking when they talk to me. If I walk in to a room, 99% of the time I am wearing the most make up out of any woman. So ironically, I wear make up so that people don't think "look at her scars", but now have developed this insecurity where I feel that when I talk to someone, all they are thinking is "jeez how much make up is she wearing, it's a toddler and baby group for crying out loud"!!

Am I being silly?

OP posts:
aintnothinbutagstring · 02/03/2017 23:17

There's a lady at my work who wears false eyelashes and lots of thick mascara, bearing in mind we work nights in quite a physical job and your eyes often get tired and sore on nights, I really don't understand why she bothers. I wear makeup myself but it's mostly just bb cream to even out old acne scars and hormonal patchiness.

Meowstro · 02/03/2017 23:50

I go between going without it at work sometimes and wearing foundation, mascara, eyeshadow and lippy. I like to give my skin a break, plus I don't always have time to do it for work. When I go out socially it can take me an hour or so depending on how much make up I put on.

When I see people with a full face on I think they must have a lot of time or have sacrificed something time wise to do it but definitely don't judge them. I'm amazed at how people with newborns do it!

Catsize · 02/03/2017 23:54

Make-up makes me a bit sad. I cannot understand how or why people think they look better with a face smeared with coloured chemicals/animal extracts. Never understood it. Hate the pressure to wear it. Having said that, each to their own. Just my opinion.

littlefrog3 · 03/03/2017 00:03

I really don't care if someone wears make up or not; a lot or a little. I don't give a shit. Why would I care? I wear a little tinted moisturiser, some mascara, some eyeshadow, some eyeliner, a little blusher, lipliner, and lippy always! If someone told me I look better without it I would tell them to piss off and mind their beeswax. I look better and feel better WITH it on. So shoot me.

My pet hate is a man telling me I look better without make up. Errr no I really don't. Most women don't. Most will look fine without it, great even, but they will look just that little bit better WITH it; it enhances their features. Not caked on necessarily, but just a touch of blemish concealer and blusher, mascara, eyeshadow, eyeliner, and a bit of lipstick and maybe lipliner.

That's my 2 cents worth anyway!

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 03/03/2017 00:16

The best way to to achieve a healthy blemish free skin is to use a sauna bath, drink mostly water, and go for walks in the fresh air, it's that simple

What utter rubbish. That is one the stupidest comments I've seen on MN

To answer OP , I don't think there is anyone who does not look better with well applied make up. I don't wear anything other than foundation on a day to day basis. But that is down to laziness. I wish I was more organised.

PickAChew · 03/03/2017 00:21

That depends on what you mean by "better", lass.

littlefrog3 · 03/03/2017 00:24

The best way to to achieve a healthy blemish free skin is to use a sauna bath, drink mostly water, and go for walks in the fresh air, it's that simple

What utter rubbish. That is one the stupidest comments I've seen on MN

Wow rude! Hmm I wouldn't say that! I think the advice (in italics,) is quite sound. It's a well documented fact that drinking plenty of water especially, is good for your complexion, and fresh air does you the world of good too. Not 'stupid' or 'rubbish' at all.

PrimalLass · 03/03/2017 00:24

The only thing I judge is the massive square eyebrows that are in fashion just nowZ

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 03/03/2017 00:30

Wow rude!  I wouldn't say that! I think the advice (in italics,) is quite sound. It's a well documented fact that drinking plenty of water especially, is good for your complexion, and fresh air does you the world of good too. Not 'stupid' or 'rubbish' at all

No still stupid. You and the other poster have clearly never experienced the misery of acne. Saying to any one who has, that all they need is fresh air and drinking water is beyond stupid.

littlefrog3 · 03/03/2017 00:33

So where did that poster you called stupid say fresh air and drinking plenty of water will clear up acne?

Point me to that post.

littlefrog3 · 03/03/2017 00:33

I havent read the whole thread so I never saw it.

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 03/03/2017 00:37

The best way to to achieve a healthy blemish free skin is to use a sauna bath, drink mostly water, and go for walks in the fresh air, it's that simple

This is a direct quote. It is utter nonsense. If you have good skin , it might make it a little better. If you suffer from acne it will make no discernible difference- certainly will not achieve a "blemish free skin"

littlefrog3 · 03/03/2017 00:42

The best way to to achieve a healthy blemish free skin is to use a sauna bath, drink mostly water, and go for walks in the fresh air, it's that simple

lasswithedelicateair
This is a direct quote. It is utter nonsense. If you have good skin , it might make it a little better. If you suffer from acne it will make no discernible difference- certainly will not achieve a "blemish free skin"

She never mentioned anything about drinking lots of water and getting fresh air clearing up acne though did she?!!!

You made that bit up to suit your agenda, so you could have a rant!

She said NOTHING about fresh air and drinking lots of water clearing up acne.

BEHAVE! Stop projecting your issues onto other. Stop making stuff up! And stop calling people STUPID!

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 03/03/2017 01:11

She claims it will achieve a "healthy blemish free skin". What do you think "blemish free" means?

No it will not. Fresh air and water will not result in a blemish free skin.

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 03/03/2017 01:18

I did not make anything up. You clearly do not understand that "blemish free" is the dermatological equivalent of saying plump instead of obese.

PrimalLass · 03/03/2017 07:07

Don't 'blemishes' mean acne in skin terms?

For me the only way to remain 'blemish' free is to employ hard science. I'm on a rertin-a bender just now. Works wonders. If I let the routine slip my skin is awful. Lots of fresh air is brilliant - but not for my skin.

Natsku · 03/03/2017 07:28

Don't have time to look it up right now but on the face of it I could see how sauna could help with acne - the heat opens up your pores and if you then exfoliate it'll clean up the oils and stuff that gets stuck in the pores that cause acne.

Catsize · 03/03/2017 07:31

That depends on what you mean by "better", lass

Agree with this pick.

EnormousTiger · 03/03/2017 07:33
  1. The post was not about acne. Most of us don't have it and for most of us that advice is true - most of us look so much better if we eat healthily, take walks, have a good old steam, drink water. I don't wear make up. My skin is fine.
  1. For acne I am not on commission, don't worry, but www.drsambunting.com/ has managed to eradicate it in my son and yes that required more than saunas and no one on this thread has suggested otherwise. Covering skin of any kind whether it has acne or not in make up is not great for it but I would not go round banning or shouting nasty comments at women or men if they want to wear it. It's their skin.
charliegumabubblegum · 03/03/2017 07:42

I have worn a 'full' face of make up everyday since leaving school. I don't apply layer after layer but do wear a natural looking foundation, mascara, eyeliner and a bit of bronzer. I am a English rose 😂 Paler than pale and my make up is my armoury- it transforms my confidence levels and I feel prettier and able to face the day head on! I don't think people would judge unless, like most people have said, that it is heavily contoured or badly applied. Make up can be so empowering, but also it can be liberating to go without. So in summary, unless its badly applied then go for it, or if you can't be bothered or just don't need it, hoorah!

Kikikaakaa · 03/03/2017 07:45

I wear full make up and have had acne for 20 years.
Currently mine is in a remission phase due to some hardcore creams and medications.
Yet I still wear the make up, but now have no acne (for now...)
I will still wear make up when it returns.
It's my hormones giving me acne and use of make up makes zero difference
As long as you clean everything properly and don't slather yourself in oil based products

Sallystyle · 03/03/2017 08:05

Make-up makes me a bit sad. I cannot understand how or why people think they look better with a face smeared with coloured chemicals/animal extracts.

Make up makes me happy. All those chemicals enhancing my features and covering up my cystic acne scars and pigmentation. It's great fun putting it on as well so please don't feel sad for me. I would wear it if I didn't have scars because it is bloody fun and like it or not, well applied make up can enhance features. The difference in my eyes is amazing. I have huge eyes and well applied eye make up makes them look striking and there is nothing wrong with wanting to look your best, and for me looking my best is achieved with some make up.

This thread proves that there is quite a few non make up wearers feeling superior to those who wear it. I wonder if maybe they are the insecure ones after all?

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 03/03/2017 08:10

The post was not about acne
What do you think "blemish free " means ? The poster who gave this pearl of wisdom states all you need for a "blemish free " skin is fresh air and water.

"Blemish free" is a standard terms in acne treatment. Other than that it is meaningless. What exactly is a "blemish"?

Oh and steam treatments make no difference.

Sallystyle · 03/03/2017 08:12

Isn't most acne in adult women hormone related?

I know mine is which is also made worse by my under-active thyroid. My skin gets worse when my levels are bad.

Apart from some scarring my skin is really good right now thanks to my spiro and my higher levels of thyroid meds.

A sauna would not have helped and I get plenty of fresh air as it is.

smurfest · 03/03/2017 08:17

I wear a bit of make up - eye liner, mascara, bit of shadow, and I also fill my sparse eyebrows in. Mainly because I look dreadful without it.

In answer to your question - what would i think of someone wearing a lot of make-up - i wouldn't judge. There's a woman I know who wears very bright blue eye, thickly applied make up and v bright pink lippy - my 1st thought was dear god what does she look like, but she's a lovely lady and now I honestly don't notice it.