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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Caked in makeup

230 replies

Ijustlovefood · 16/12/2017 20:45

Why do some women plaster it on like there's no tomorrow, on the school run, everyday without fail. Not just subtle but full on caked in the stuff. AIBU to think why?

OP posts:
Dustbunny1900 · 18/12/2017 01:44

Insecurity with skin.
I went through a “full face of makeup” everyday phase ..to the point where I’d sleep in it if I were spending the night with my boyfriend.
I felt ugly without it. Especially my skin..little comments from ex MIL didn’t help.

But the makeup (plus bad habits) were causing my cysts and bad skin, really vicious cycle.

I’ve now been back to wearing nothing for years now, but that doesn’t mean I’m less vain, I’ve just found concentrating on my health and skincare to be cheaper and better.

Birdsgottafly · 18/12/2017 02:17

I love Make up and different Make-up looks/trends.

I used to plan my make-up as soon as I spotted a 'going out' outfit. My DD does the same with shoes. Shoes don't appeal to me. I have three pairs of 'going out' shoes.

I've been ill for two years and couldn't wear foundation. I only wore Mascara and Concealer. It was fantastic to be able to buy a 'full face' of make-up recently. I had to go for Bare Minerals, but it's great being able to wear it again. I can't wait to be able to wear liquid foundation. I'm 50 next year. I used to do my own lashes, before they were popular.

I've always found that Women who don't wear Make-up are the one's with the strongest opinions and assumptions about other Women, based on their appearance.

I was the Mum in full Make-up doing the school run. I had a routine and it took no time at all. I used to go shopping/work etc straight after the school run, so why wouldn't I? I went the gym (to weight lift) wearing it.

I've vowed to get my cuticles in good condition, so i go go for bold nail colours, again.

Bluntness100 · 18/12/2017 09:17

Do people think 'made up' faces look better than natural faces?

I think it depends . Many of us, myself inc, are not blessed with an even skin tone or great lashes etc and make up done well can really enhance, evening up skin tone, hiding dark circles under eyes, give a hint of natural cheek colour, make eye lashes look longer and thicker, make brows more balanced and naturally fuller. Generally making you look fresher, healthier and well rested.

Others don't feel they need it or want it, but yes, I would say make up applied well can enhance, and I defintely look better with than without. Others look great without it. There is no one answer here, it's about what's right for the person.

laudanum · 18/12/2017 09:22

Leave them alone, it's none of your business.

ZigZagandDustin · 18/12/2017 09:24

It's a real pity OP. But a lot of women have been slowly trained to think that's the best version of themselves.

Gwenhwyfar · 18/12/2017 09:31

" I would say make up applied well can enhance, and I defintely look better with than without."

Of course, but that has nothing to do with this thread. It's not about makeup or no makeup, it's about very, very heavy makeup versus a natural look, whether that's natural-looking makeup or no makeup at all.

Bluntness100 · 18/12/2017 09:34

I agree also as the thread shows, it does seem to be the women who chose not to wear make up that negatively judge those who do.

You seldom see a thread saying "why don't they make just a little effort and wear make up" but you regularly see threads like the ops.

The latest comment that women have been "trained"is a case in point. It's a nasty comment that is uncalled for. Undermining a women's own intelligence and her ability to chose for herself.

I do wonder if there is envy involved, or bitterness, I'm not sure what the emotion is, but it's a negative aimed at a women who may be perceived as attractive or be attempting to make herself look attractive.

Bluntness100 · 18/12/2017 09:36

Of course, but that has nothing to do with this thread

Hi, I'm guessing you're new, but The bold sentence shows I'm answering another Poster who posed the question and it was not about heavy v natural, it was about any versus none.Confused

Allabitmuchisntit · 18/12/2017 09:37

You only need to think about your own face surely?
Why do you care what other women do to their faces?
Christmas is in a week!! Crack on love!

LoniceraJaponica · 18/12/2017 09:43

"it does seem to be the women who chose not to wear make up that negatively judge those who do."

I don't think so. I think it is women who like to wear make-up to flatter their features wondering why some women overdo it. That is how I read the OP.

Gwenhwyfar puts it very well - " It's not about makeup or no makeup, it's about very, very heavy makeup versus a natural look, whether that's natural-looking makeup or no makeup at all"

Animation86 · 18/12/2017 09:43

Cause I can
Cause I like it
Cause I have work to go to

Bluntness100 · 18/12/2017 10:46

Lonicera agree that's what rhe op is talking about, but again I was addressing someone else's point on the thread. A point that's been made by quite a few.

buggerthebotox · 18/12/2017 11:05

What is meant by "overdo" though? Some people think I overdo It, probably. I think sharpie brows and fake tans are "overdoing it".

All relative....

violetbunny · 18/12/2017 11:17

I don't see applying makeup as being any different to someone investing time in their hair (colour, cut, style etc) or the clothes they wear. Or even how they choose to decorate their house. All of those examples are not strictly necessary things in life to devote time and attention to. But many people do, and some in a more lavish or obvious way than others. Everyone's different.

areyoubeingserviced · 18/12/2017 11:30

I think that the OP was being deliberately goady.
She used the term ‘ caked ‘ in makeup and anyone who starts such a thread is aware that a thread such as this will rapidly turn into a conflict between those who wear makeup and those who do not.
There are a few non makeup users who use this opportunity to berate women who wear makeup , asking questions such as ‘How do you find the time ? Are you insecure?
All this done with an air of superiority.
The makeup users then get defensive .If
you want to wear a lot or a little makeup, it is not anyone’s business
If you want to go out sans makeup, it is not anyone’s business.

ZigZagandDustin · 18/12/2017 11:43

I genuinely do think women have been brainwashed into thinking they need makeup. I also think that it's easy for it to escalate beyond nice natural makeup because you've been told you look lovely, you associate lovely with your make up, so you put a bit more on next time and then the next time and then eventually you've gone beyond lovely into caked but can't see it anymore.

I was just thinking the other day that it wouldn't take much to get women to think their vaginas needed makeup if someone was to invent it and market it as 'the ultimate in beauty'.

We're just constantly being taken advantage of, our insecurities played on. And the result is women have in some cases become parodies of themselves. Handing over so much money to do so.

dynevoran · 18/12/2017 12:13

I don't wear make up, it's not because I think my skin is perfect. I wear none because I find the whole thing a massive con to make women feel like they need to spend time and money on something to be, as previous posters have put it, "presentable". It's such bullshit that as a general group we feel like that. All the issues discussed above re scars and skin conditions are not exclusively women's issues yet the men don't wear make up to cover them up. So it's obviously something we are conditioned as women (not necessarily by men) to do. I just can't buy into that but don't blame or judge anyone who knowingly or unknowingly does.

crazycatgal · 18/12/2017 13:04

What exactly do you mean by caked in make-up?

I normally wear a full face of make-up but I'm good at applying it and it always looks good and not cakey. Is this still caked on to you?

I don't wear it for men, I wear it because I think it looks good and like I've made an effort. I personally feel a bit scruffy if I've gone out without any make-up on (not that I judge others for going without.)

Morphene · 18/12/2017 13:23

Why do women wear more make up than they used to? Because people are investing ever larger sums of money in making women feel they need to wear more make up!

I wonder what we would spend our money on if cosmetics advertising was banned...

ZigZagandDustin · 18/12/2017 13:46

I would say that caked in makeup translates as makeup that is visible. So you can see the face colour change (often orangey or overly fake tanned) or the texture of it layered on or eyes are clearly covered in black stuff. It's when makeup goes over the line into unnatural and quite honestly a lot of people like this look and see it as having made an effort. I personally prefer to see someone's face as it is but a little bit of softening or a gentle bit of slightly enhanced lips or lashes can look lovely.

LoniceraJaponica · 18/12/2017 16:40

I think you have described it well ZigZag

Opheliasgoldenwine · 18/12/2017 16:46

Because they want to?

GreyMorning · 18/12/2017 16:47

Maybe they're really insecure about their looks and it helps them to feel better? I know that's why i do it.

Notsooriginalwerther · 18/12/2017 16:58

I was just thinking the other day that it wouldn’t take much to get women to think their vaginas needed makeup if someone was to invent it and market it as ‘the ultimate in beauty’.

What a bizarre thought. Hmm

Chocolate254 · 18/12/2017 17:02

Who cares what people wear, You must have a really boring life to be studying other mums im far too busy to give a shit.