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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Applying make up in public?

113 replies

Maryhadalittlelambstew · 30/03/2017 17:52

Not really an AIBU but posting for traffic...

I was in a naice department store cafe in Oxford today (not debenhams, think more the one where you buy your knickers or have an emergency poo) and was just grabbing a quick coffee before an appointment I needed to be alert for and given that I had been deprived of sleep the night before due to kids who seemed to be tag teaming to ensure I got as little sleep as possible I decided to whip out my little make up bag and apply some much needed concealer and mascara in an effort to look less like a zombie. I was obliviously faffing away in a corner seat and there was a couple of women (I'm 29, I'd guess they were late 50's early 60's) who were looking over rather distastefully and tutting loudly. I smiled and one of the women asked me if my mother had never told me it was rude to apply make up in public and the other lady chimed in with "its common". Well my mother clearly dragged me up as she has utterly failed to inform me that its uncouth and "common" to apply my make up in public. I could understand it if I'd brushed my hair or sprayed perfume but I thought sitting quietly in a corner with a wee compact was fairly unoffensive but apparently not...I just wondered if its true that it is deemed impolite? Should I have snuck off to the loo's or is it ok to powder ones nose in a naice cafe?

OP posts:
specialsubject · 30/03/2017 20:17

Bit odd but as long as no smells , ( and perfume just as bad as the aforementioned emergency poo) then not an issue I can see.

Original poster
Maryhadalittlelambstew · 30/03/2017 20:18

Seems to be a pretty standard practice to put it on when out and about then! I was trying to think if it was unhygienic and have been tentatively sniffing my trusty collection 2000 gear to see if it had an offensive smell but both smell reasonably ok...and I wasn't spraying perfume or whipping my hideous trotter like tooties to paint or anything so can only assume they were of a much higher class than me where feminine mystique is sacred and make up application takes place in a darkened room with scented candle and ritual like chanting.

Or that they were nosey, rude ladies what lunch who had nothing better to do than pass comment on the goings on around them.

OP posts:
HunterHearstHelmsley · 30/03/2017 20:21

I'd never say anything but I hate people putting their make up on in public. Lippy is ok but that's about it.

My pet hate is when people do it on the train in the morning... I'm always thinking that they should get up earlier and do it at home like a normal person 🤣

greenlavender · 30/03/2017 20:21

I would judge if I saw someone doing that in a cafe. That's what the rest rooms are for I think.

TowerRavenSeven · 30/03/2017 20:27

I don't. On the days my makeup doesn't get done as I'm running late I either do it discreetly in the car or in the ladies room of where I'm working that day.

I was taught anything dealing with personal hygiene/maintenance outside of a quick dab of lipstick should be done out of sight.

Blerg · 30/03/2017 20:41

Sorry OP, I'm another one who doesn't like it. I'm not sure why but it really irritates me. Surprised I'm in the minority. I think makeup (and not just varnish) does sometimes smell a bit and the whole business makes me nauseous. Like it's all germy and grubby and on the train people are right up close to you and elbowing you. I feel the same about people at work leaving random makeup slippers and bits of false eyelashes on the sink, shudder.

I would never say anything though.

I just seems like it should be a thing you do at home or when you get to work. If it's that essential just get up earlier, or don't wear makeup.

And I say this as someone with an epic commute.

Blerg · 30/03/2017 20:43

Makeup spoldges not slippers. Leaving makeup slippers in the loo at work would be excessive.

Blerg · 30/03/2017 20:50

Ffs splodges.

Bluntness100 · 30/03/2017 21:00

I think they were incredibly rude and should not have commented.

On the other hand, no I don t and would not sit in a cafe applying my make up. I wouldn't comment if someone did, but I would wonder why they didn't just go to the loo and do it.

Someone on a train I would simply assume it was about time.

Miniwookie · 30/03/2017 21:00

I wouldn't even take 'common' as an insult tbh. I have no allusions. I'm not titled. Surely only snobs and social-climbers would care about that kind of thing. YANBU to put your make up on. They were rude

OnTheUp13 · 30/03/2017 21:08

I do a full face on the way to work every morning! In must be Uber common

ScarlettFreestone · 30/03/2017 21:14

I agree that it was that it was poor manners to apply make up in public.

However I think the ladies who accosted you also displayed very poor manners.

Two wrongs do not make a right.

SuperPug · 30/03/2017 21:22

They sound delightful- none of their business at all. I do it myself if I need to and it's impossible in some crowded department store toilets.
The only time I've probably looked a few times was during a 45 minute tube journey when someone contoured their entire face. It was kind of amazing though.

SuperPug · 30/03/2017 21:23

I honestly cannot see how this is bad manners- OP was discrete, on our own table, nothing being sprayed. Seems a bit old fashioned to judge this as "common", whatever that means...

MadisonAvenue · 30/03/2017 21:32

I quite often touch up my make up on the train, especially if I'm meeting someone. By the time I'm on the train I've usually walked almost 3 miles to the station so my face needs a bit of attention.

foxyloxy78 · 30/03/2017 21:34

Bloody hell. Those two need to get out more. Take a ride on the London underground where everyone is at it.

Strigoi · 30/03/2017 21:38

I often see women putting makeup on on the train in the morning. TBH I find it a bit odd - who wants to apply a full face using a tiny mirror in shit light with a carriage full of people looking at you? I don't find it offensive, I just wouldn't do it myself.

Questioningeverything · 30/03/2017 21:41

Didn't get passed 'emergency poo'
Dying. Tears and everything 😂

Questioningeverything · 30/03/2017 21:41

I may need to get out more also...

Lulabell1979 · 30/03/2017 21:42

Emergency poo😂😂😂

YANBU.

They have nothing better to do.

supermoon100 · 30/03/2017 21:50

I think it is gross. It is an intimate act best saved for the bedroom or the bathroom. I don't want to see you floss. I don't want to see you cut your nails and I sure as hell don't want to see you apply your foundation. Lippy I can handle

Thattwatoverthere · 30/03/2017 22:01

A bit of makeup in public never hurt anyone surely? I've whipped out my compact and concealer in view of others before and never thought anything of it. I must be very common Smile

And I'm glad to learn the best department store for an emergency poo. John Lewis just wasn't cutting it for me.

neverthetwainshallmeet · 30/03/2017 22:06

Yanbu

supermoon100 · 30/03/2017 22:13

FOr me it's not about being common or uncommon I just think it's a bit gross. its kinda saying, 'i don't give a fuck what people around me think, I do what i like cos i am arrogant and entitled'. Sorry, just get up a bit earlier and do it in the privacy of your own home.

Strigoi · 30/03/2017 22:21

TBH I don't see how you can apply makeup accurately using a compact on a train!