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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To do my make up in Pret?

272 replies

user1457213512 · 04/08/2017 07:55

I'm in Pret for my morning coffee. Didn't make the time to do my make up before I got the bus. Would I bu to do it here, discretely, in Pret? I was about to do so but then realised I've seen this classed as unreasonable on mm not before, and now I'm scared! Well not really, but if it's a massive faux paux I won't do it.

So as not to drip feed... All the benches outside in the high street are wet.

OP posts:
WeAllHaveWings · 04/08/2017 17:22

I think most people consider spitting, cat calling, man spreading, swearing, walking around topless when it hits 12C inappropriate and judge the person too.

Original poster
user1457213512 · 04/08/2017 17:49

Wow I never expected to get such a response! And such a mixed one too. Thanks for everyone's opinions though, and sorry if the question upset anyone.

To update, I did mean at the table because I wasn't leaving my coffee unattanded and also don't like the idea of taking it in the toilet with me. The reason I didn't have time at home but had time for coffee is due to bus times (I live rurally).

To update, I put my foundation on at the table as well as powder but did eye make up in toilet at work - holiding a compact mirror and putting on mascara is tricky business!

OP posts:
MaisyPops · 04/08/2017 17:52

I think some people just love to look down their noses at others in a sneery way.

If you were doing a full face and and it spread out around you then I'd think you were a bit odd and humour you.

If you were doing a light touch up e.g concealer out, then put that away & pop some mascara on etc then I'd just assume you're running late and didn't want to leave your coffee on the table in case it got cleared away.

ThinkOfTheHorses · 04/08/2017 18:02

Why are people acting like applying make up is a dirty thing? It's literally powder you put in your face ...

thepumpk1neater · 04/08/2017 18:08

If you were doing a light touch up e.g concealer out
Covering spots Confused

It's literally powder you put in your face ..
That sounds painful, thinkofthehorses

And what on earth is man spreading?

HellonHeels · 04/08/2017 18:12

I don't really understand why it's unhygienic. The most unhygienic thing in Pret is probably people picking up their food with unwashed hands.

thepumpk1neater · 04/08/2017 18:14

Well your opinion doesn't count, Hell. You didn't know the difference between a dept. store and an eatery earlier in the thread Wink

And speak for yourself about unwashed hands.

GahBuggerit · 04/08/2017 18:14

Sounds fine op. If I saw someone do this and it was a good job I'd probably ask what foundation/sponge/technique you recommended :)

If I could get to you through the mountains of tissue, your violent brushes, and powder blurring my vision ;)

WeAllHaveWings · 04/08/2017 18:21

So is it ok for me to floss, cut my nails (with a nail catcher), straighten my hair, rub moisturiser into my feet too?

Of course it's not. Applying foundation/concealer etc with I guess sponges/fingers getting grubby/tissues/rattling around in a makeup bag in public and especially in a place where people are eating is inappropriate/lazy/grim.

redsquirrell · 04/08/2017 18:28

Is this actually a real problem?

ForalltheSaints · 04/08/2017 18:47

I see enough of women putting their make up when on the Underground to not want it in any other public place.

You might be the one woman in a hundred to put on make-up in public who looks better afterwards.

FeralBeryl · 04/08/2017 19:03

Grin it never bothers me seeing it - however, knowing the state of my designated make up area at home (basically orange stuck on white gloss paint) I can't help thinking that if enough people did it, it would be an arse for staff cleaning after them.
I really don't wear much either what with being a natural beauty an all lazy fucker

But then - the actual 'act' of it, hell yeah, fine.
I think to argue against that infers a real expectation of a 50's housewife where we shouldn't dream of being wheeled out unless we're ready to be presented.

reuset · 04/08/2017 19:43

This sort of thing is common on trains, apparently (recent, disgusting thread about toe nail cutting and other things, including make up application). I'd think it was grim if I saw it in the eating/drinking area of Pret or anywhere else. Never have seen it though I'm pleased to say.

MaisyPops · 04/08/2017 19:48

WeAllHaveWings
They are totally different to a quick spot of makeup.

I wouldn't expect to see someone put a full face of makeup on, but someone popping on a bit of concealer and mascara wouldn't bother me. I don't see it as any different from putting sun cream on in public.

nina2b · 04/08/2017 20:12

OP:

The word is discreetly.

ThinkOfTheHorses · 04/08/2017 20:44

@TheAntiBoop that's awful ... he probably has eczema .. if I had to go to the bathroom every time some part of me needed moisturiser because it hurts I'd never get any work done!
gloops away

TheAntiBoop · 04/08/2017 21:10

No he didn't - he was just incredibly vain!!he wasn't mortally offended either - as he wasn't when we all told him that hiding under his desk to spray his Lynx didn't stop the office being gassed out!!

ComputerUserNotTrained · 05/08/2017 09:13

I used to watch a woman put her face on every morning on the train. She was so adept, I found it quite mesmerising. Plus of course it was a time saver for her.

I couldn't begin to get offended by it Confused

ComputerUserNotTrained · 05/08/2017 09:14

Oh, and someone called me weird for doing mine in the loos at work. Now that was uptight.

thepumpk1neater · 05/08/2017 10:27

If I'm running late then I don't bother with make up, and for the rest of the day. Moisturiser and lip balm after the shower only. If I'm looking terribly tired I might apply a dash of blusher at some point, but it really isn't necessary. There aren't still jobs where obvious coatings of make up required and mandatory are there?

ComputerUserNotTrained · 05/08/2017 12:13

Other than clown or makeup counter assistant, probably not. But I prefer to wear it and don't feel fully ready to face the world without. Which isn't to say I think women don't look dressed without; I don't think I even notice tbh unless it's someone who's usually covered in slap, or someone's makeup is particularly nice/dreadful.

BossyBitch · 05/08/2017 12:19

Wouldn't bother me at all.

On a related note: is anybody else secretly insanely impressed by these women who manage to apply a full face on public transport? When I worked at Vauxhall ther was this woman who was often on the same tube as me. She's forever etched into my memory as Perfect-Liquid-Eyeliner-on-the-Shakey-Victoria-Line-Goddess. If she's a mumsnetter: please know I was only staring because I was in awe!

thepumpk1neater · 05/08/2017 12:25

is anybody else secretly insanely impressed by these women who manage to apply a full face on public transport?
No. Many things impress me, this wouldn't be one of them.

I think I would make an exception for a clown. I'd find it fascinating to watch them apply their make up, even in a café, and imagine they'd draw quite a crowd Grin

TennisAtXmas · 05/08/2017 12:26

I think most people consider spitting, cat calling, man spreading, swearing, walking around topless when it hits 12C inappropriate and judge the person too.
Completely agree, and I'm fairly sure you'd be asked to leave pret a manger for all of those things.

I love the idea that those are all things that only men do too, bit of a gender stereotype! I guess the poster who developed that list had, ironically, only met very polite, 'lady like' women!

ComputerUserNotTrained · 05/08/2017 13:44

Oh me absolutely, Bossy.

I've been wearing liquid eyeliner for over thirty years off and on and still fuck it up at home in optimum circumstances.

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