to think that most women look better with a little make-up?

[CatastropheKate]

Not a lot, just a little tinted moisturiser, mascara and a lip colour. I know I do, but I don't do it often - just evenings out and certainly not for the school run/work or daily life.

So why do people trowel it on? Once you can see the make-up it's like wearing a mask. I know that people get used to seeing themselves with a fake face, but surely easing off a bit would be beneficial?

When did it become the norm for young teenagers to wear a full face of heavy make-up?

It seems such a peculiar thing to do.

Excessive make up is not to be found with most women in the Netherlands or France, both of which I visit from time to time. It seems a US and UK thing more than most other countries, and I think has come about with the recession of the last few years. I don't think it is a coincidence that these (US and UK) are the most unequal of western countries.

Excessive make up is not to be found with most women in the Netherlands or France

Must be different to the parts of France some of my family are from and we regularly visit then.

Because of insecurity and low confidence....oh bore off

It's interesting how many people just respond to the title of the thread without even reading the first post.

The OP here was saying that she thought most women look better with a little make up, rather than a lot, as could easily be worked out from her op. Perhaps she should have made the thread title clearer, but it's all there in the op.

I agree, either a little or none is fine. Men look fine without it. Why the fuck to we have to plaster ourselves and alter ourselves. The trend of heavy make up at the moment looks awful. Really awful.

YABU in presenting this as if it's a new phenomenon. I'm 54 and remember having a face full of makeup at 18.

I only have to add to this thread...

Some women genuinely do look better with no makeup.

I have bad skin - blotchy and a few acne scars from teenage years. I look better with foundation on and I know I do.

Nowt that is fecking brilliant

I think we should all do as we like.

Sometimes I think young people are judging me as "old" for not wearing lots, but that's not going to change me.

I agree it's just a fashion like many that have gone before. If you ask my personal preference I guess I think most look better with just a little make up but it's not just my opinion that counts!

Wear what makes you happy / confident is my answer.

(Spills tea)

Do you think so? Make up does not really change appearance, just adds colours.

Nowt that video is bloody hilarious.

I follow a "mummy you tuber" and she was so pretty when she started out, not that she isn't now but she trowels her makeup on now - she looks like the joker with ridiculous clown like lips, clumpy mascara lashes and thick eyebrows it's awful!!

I don't wear makeup, not even on special occasions. I even got married without a scrap of makeup on. I can't apply it anyway, so I just don't bother

I think people think makeup makes people more attractive because of the contrast. I think I read somewhere about Gestalt psychology that the human mind likes balance/equilibrium and that makeup can achieve this.

I put lots of make up on and I am not young (40). Luckily I don't care whether some random would think I look better with less make up on as I do it for me, not them. I don't like my really blonde, thin, eyelashes and brows. I don't like my really pale uneven skin. I don't like my thin lips. Any time I wear less some arsehole has to ask if I am 'ill' as I look 'tired'. So if I want to hide my real face under a comfortable facade so I look and subsequently feel less run down then I will. It gives me more confidence.

I like my look better with a few skincare and makeup products. I also enjoy playing with makeup.

I have no opinion on how much or little other women wear. I don't expect anybody to treat their body in a certain way to please me.

I think you get very very used to what you see around you, and anything outside that norm starts to look odd. So older women used to a much lighter touch think that young women's heavy makeup looks OTT and fake, and young women presumably think we look drab and flawed. I just had a few months off work, and gradually reduced the amount of makeup I was wearing throughout. (Not for principled reasons, I just couldn't be arsed). Before, I literally wouldn't have nipped to the Co-op without a full face of makeup, but eventually my face started to look normal to me with just a bit of BB cream and mascara.

Watching Lucy Worsley again last night - can be a bit hard to concentrate as she staggers around in those awful heels, and I don't know what happened to her lovely shiny hair..

Anyway, my point is the previous series where she dressed up as maid to various monarchs. So none of the usual bright red lip circles and gosh, she is pretty without that and so young looking!

I’m 55 and have started to use much less. Also, a pale foundation applied very thinly (when I do use it). It’s made a big difference and I feel that I’m not applying too much of everything.

I love makeup! But for me it is my only creative outlet as other than that I have no creativity! I don't "trowel" it on, just love experimenting with eyeshadow mostly. I love different and patterns and they make me feel good! Don't really care if others like it but I do get complimented. I'm sure many people hate it as well though!

I wear a light layer of foundation, contour, powder to set it. Then blushed, eyeshadow and liner and mascara. Nothing on my eyebrows as I shape them myself and they're dark. I also use a setting spray to make it last the day especially as I do 12 hour shifts. For work I don't contour, and I wear neutral coloured eyeshadow. If I wear less people ask I'm ill. I reply "Nope, I'm just ugly" and smile at them!

It’s good it’s on me and not you then.

I love my full face of makeup. Personally I think everyone looks better when they make an effort but I’d not make a thread slamming those who prefer a different look.

Most people look better with zero make up.

I haven't been out of the house without makeup since I was 14 and I'm 55 now