AIBU to think men prefer fake looking women?

[Bumpitybumper]

I can't help but feel suspicious everytime I read the results from a survey where it is suggested that men prefer the "natural" look. This just doesn't seem to reflect my experience in real life and also what I see on social media or on TV.

We have Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian who have both obviously had a LOT of work being viewed as the pinnacle of female attractiveness whilst Meghan from Love Island who has apparently been completely remodeled by surgeon seems to have attracted the most men in Love Island.

AIBU to suggest despite their protestations that men actually don't favour the natural look at all?

I do very much agree with you op. Since you mentioned love island..

How many times do you hear a woman complement another woman with a sincere "you look beautiful"? It's actually quite common...
And the equally sincere response "thank you, but I'm really not" (or similar).

Ah the old cop out!

How is it a cop out when you asked me to name ALL actors in golden age hollywood who got surgery?

Fact is there were few if any bleacho male sex-symbols from the Bardot era.

This is ridiculous. Peter O'toole had a nose job before Lawrence of Arabia. John Wayne had a face and neck lift during his height. Dean Martin had a nose job. Gary Cooper had a nose job. We can't name every person but even discussions of classic hollywood reference the fact that so many of the stars, male and female, got work done!

I'm well aware than lots of men in Hollywood get stuff done

You were arguing they didn't wear makeup five minutes ago even though tons of male celebrities have openly admitted to it! Fact is it's your own internalized sexism talking. You've bought into the idea that men are turning up to work and women are being primped. When the men are in makeup with spanx on and starving themselves to look good on camera as well.

How is it a cop out when you asked me to name ALL actors in golden age hollywood who got surgery?

Amazing that someone so patronising can't read corrrectly - I asked you which Bardot era stars had platinum hair. I never asked about surgery. You made that up. Just as you made up a lot of the stuff in your ranty 'reply. Since you're getting oddly emotional and can't be bothered to actually read my posts, I'll leave it at that.

How many times do you hear a woman complement another woman with a sincere "you look beautiful"? It's actually quite common...
And the equally sincere response "thank you, but I'm really not" (or similar).

I think you're reading too much into what is just ordinary politeness/modesty.

You'd hardly expect her to say "You're right. I'm looking gorgeous, aren't I?"

You only have to read on here to realise how most women don't feel good about themselves.
You only have to see the sales of beauty products and magazines to understand it.
There might be some for whom the answer is false modesty, but for most, it's sincere...

Buying beauty products doesn’t mean you don’t feel good about yourself.

The kind of people who appear on those reality show are chosen because of their looks being what to me is "all the same ". Sensationalism is the key attraction to the programmes and with there being so much of the same kind of body/looks being flaunted in the media of course certain males find it attractive almost as if it is the norm.

IcedPurple

Yes, anytime anyone responds to you, they're oddly emotional. Got your gaslighting down pat I see.

This tracks for me because many women who are obsessed with being natural and how "unnatural" most women's behavior is usually have a lot of internalized misogyny. Men wore makeup for hundreds of years and it was seen as artistic and cultural. Now women wear it it's seen as low and deceptive. Washing, decorating yourself, preening for sexual attention: all perfectly natural behaviors found all over nature. But that's all very unconvincing to women who think "feminism" means adopting the conclusions of patriarchy wholesale.

Haven't read the whole thread but agree with @P00ka that there is a big difference between what men think is "natural" and what is actually natural! I.e. when they say they prefer the natural look, they actually mean they like glossy hair, and foundation, concealer, mascara, blush, lip tint, eyebrows done... They often don't realise that the pretty look they like is the result of a lot of prep and subtle make up.

Buying beauty products doesn’t mean you don’t feel good about yourself.
Taken on the whole across millions of women,not does.
This is how advertising works. You are conditioned to believe you need that product and having it will make you feel better.
Nobody WANTS to believe they are marketed to in this way or that they are susceptible to it. But we all are.

You only have to read on here to realise how most women don't feel good about themselves.
You only have to see the sales of beauty products and magazines to understand it.

I buy beauty products, but bleach my hair and wear make up, but that doesn't mean I don't feel good about myself, any more than my friends who do none of the above.

I'm natural looking because I'm quite lazy! I won't get a tan, I wear light make up, I can't live my life with fake nails or extensions (although I like the eyelashes that last three months, natural looking ones). I turn up to dates like this possibly with straightened hair and they always say how much they prefer it. That they hate long nails and orange tans and tons of make up. I think if you go overboard it can look like major insecurity but also they can't tell what you actually look like! I don't go for the male equivalent though, maybe that's the key. If you aren't all glossy and Take Me Out ish, don't go for men who are.

I've dated men who liked me high maintenance. Lovely dh however likes me best without a scrap of makeup on. I don't think he notices what I'm wearing (in a good way). I recently said I needed my eyebrows doing and he was confused as to why. He genuinely likes me natural. I think it depends on what sort of man you want to attract.

This is how advertising works. You are conditioned to believe you need that product and having it will make you feel better.

You seem to think women are idiots who will buy any crappy product just because they saw it on TV.

I like to look good and I enjoy trying out different products. That doesn't make me a slave to advertising. When I'm thinking of buying a product which costs more than a few quid, I do research, look up reviews etc. I don't just think "Oh if I don't run to Boots and buy this latest wondercream, I'll look like a hag!"

Yes, we're all influenced by marketing, but that doesn't mean women can't be discerning consumers.

I see at work how men react to women in full make up/ dressed to the nines. Completely taken in. And I’m thinking - you can’t even tell what her face really looks like

You are conditioned to believe you need that product and having it will make you feel better.

Not really. I’m just aware of how ageing works and know that products like retinol are scientifically proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and signs of aging.

I wear makeup because I enjoy creating an image. I’m perfectly happy to not wear it and couldn’t care less what anyone else thinks.

It’s like saying women play video games to impress men. you can’t like anything as a woman without it being about someone else.

I buy beauty products, but bleach my hair and wear make up, but that doesn't mean I don't feel good about myself, any more than my friends who do none of the above.
If you buy a beauty product it's to look good right?
Why do you need the beauty product?... Because without it, you look less good or different. Either way, you end up buying the product because the marketing worked and you feel it was something you needed.

you can’t like anything as a woman without it being about someone else.

That 'someone else' being.... yes you've guessed it, men!

Sorry, I cannot find that post now but I agree with the poster who said that what men consider “natural” isn’t natural at all - just not tarantula eyelashes, slug eyebrows, orange tan, etc. I’ve been complimented on my “natural look”, when I clearly was wearing mascara, foundation, blusher.

I wear makeup because I enjoy creating an image. I’m perfectly happy to not wear it and couldn’t care less what anyone else thinks.

You're taking it to a micro level about you specifically. I am talking about macro level, were a mass of women are marketed to, and 'on the whole' are conditioned.
We all are, but the techniques and effects are individual to us all.
It no use saying my gran smoked 100 a day so smoking does kill. In the same way, saying you are immune to marketing of beauty products and the perception of beauty doesn't mean it's not happening on a wider macro scale.

*doesn't

Has anyone linked to this www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04s8jp7
Beauty Queen and Single.
Great prog where former beauty queens meet several blokes to see if any of them click. Sadky can't watch the series but there are some links.
The men hadn't realised they were make up less half the time. And the women looked so much better and friendlier unplastered with makeup.

If you buy a beauty product it's to look good right?

Well.... yeah.

You act as though there is something pathological with wanting to look good, when throughout history people - men and women - have adorned themselves and tried to look their best.

Either way, you end up buying the product because the marketing worked and you feel it was something you needed.

Talk about patronising!

I don't 'need' make up or hair conditioner, any more than blokes need Sky Sports subscriptions or fancy phones. But I like to look good, and I like trying out different products. I'm not going to buy a product which I think is overpriced, gimmicky or unsuitable just because of slick marketing.

Why do you think women are stupid?

Generally speaking these women are high maintenance and so are the men that want them as partners. Yes a lot men are attracted to them but probably wouldn’t want a relationship. Plenty of men like a woman that looks after herself and vice versa. But there’s a difference between having pride in your appearance and being fake. I can’t stand it personally especially when they all start looking the same. Men included!!