To think wearing make up doesn’t make you vain?

[Looklikewemadeit]

Interested to hear peoples thoughts on this. I always wear make up unless on holiday with close family or days when I’m guaranteed not to see anyone except dh/dc. We’re not talking a small amount - I wear foundation, bronzer, blusher, eyeliner, powder daily. It’s been suggested a few times recently by friends and Dm that wearing make up is vain.

I’m just wondering is this a common perseption? What do mumsnetters think of women who wear makeup regularly or do you do it yourself? Personally I wear make up because I was bullied at school for having acne and being ugly. This was when I started wearing it and now I feel really self conscious and embarrassed if people (anyone) see me without it. I don’t think this makes me vain? But as I don’t want to go into my reasons with everyone I know I wonder if a lot of people I know think i am.

I don't think it looks vain, but excessive make up may give others the impression you are superficial, overly focused on your looks or have low self esteem etc.

At my workplace I've noticed heavy make up is only worn by ladies in the lower paid jobs, as if it's frowned upon once you progress upwards. The managers and senior staff wear light natural make up, like well matched foundation, mascara, subtle blusher and groomed brows.

Unless you work in TV or behind a make up counter, I think very heavy make up for most jobs looks unprofessional. Especially if you're copying the orange foundation, false lashes and thick lipgloss look!

I wear subtle make up every day for work, but not if I'm staying at home. For events and evening things I wear full make up, as I want to look different to usual!

Ugh why do people feel the need to throw their opinion around about something that doesn't concern them! I wear make up maybe once or twice a month, not for any reason other than I feel like it now and then and I like it and enjoy it! Granted it's minimal because of rather the extra time on bed etc and I'm mardy if I can feel it on my face! But i do or don't wear make up because I want to, i genuinely don't ever give a second thought to what anyone thinks! I will occasionally wind up my sis (she is vain and nothing to do with her make up) but she will often tell me I should make an effort in a sly dig way and I'll often tell her that she looks scary without and I'm glad I dont have that problem! (She doesn't and she knows it's just a sister thing I think - she likes to make fun of my small boobs too!)

Wearing makeup is completely normal for women and girls over a certain age in the UK.

Accusing women who adhere to social norms vain is just standard patriarchy in action (keep us on the back foot, walking a thin line between "too much" and "not enough", insult us whatever we do - too fat, too thin, too much makeup, not enough makeup, too muscly, too flabby, too many children, not enough children, too timid, too outspkoken, and so on and so forth ad infinitum.

Ignore them.

I don't think feminism has anything to do with it. When I wear make-up I do it because I like how it looks and not so that men will think I look nice.

Haven't rtft and before I even read your Op I thought, No, I think a lot (I might even say Most) people wear makeup because of insecurity/lack of confidence in themselves rather than vanity so almost the complete opposite?!

not a matter of feminism for me, simply that appearance is boring. I go out clean, non smelly ( and that includes perfume which I find just as offensive as body odour) and in non ripped clothes that cover enough to meet social norms and protect from the weather.

that is the minimum standard for everyone. All else is optional, and telling those who do no more that they look unwell is the sign of a real fool with no life.

Feminism demands liberty for women. If a woman truly wishes to decorate her body in clothes, in jewel, or in paint, she is at liberty to do so.
If she is conditioned to believe it is expected of her, or feels the only way her beauty can be seen is with any of the above, then the problem is with a system that creates those feelings.

We are all a canvas, and as long we paint our own images it's fine. When someone else paints them it's no longer art, it's vandalism.

Honestly, my mum always taught me that wearing make-up (a bit - to look presentable) is a sign of respect to others. Like not wearing pyjamas or a track suit to the office. Sure, I COULD do my job in my pyjamas, but it wouldn’t be respectful to my colleagues or clients. Putting on a touch of make-up is a perfectly valid (and my mum would insist necessary) part of getting dressed to go out.

The problem with that HJE is if you judge others who don't believe that or weren't taught it.
I'm not saying that you personally do judge, but why should I be judged as disrespectful because I choose not to wear makeup? It's an issue when it's an entirely arbitrary standard applied only to women, not men. I also don't wear skirts or heels, none of that affects my ability to do my job in the slightest. I'm always clean and presentable at work, isn't that enough?

I hardly ever wear makeup. It doesn't interest me at all. I probably would look better if I did but I just don't really want to. I have worn it more in the past but now I hardly ever bother. I have better things to do than spend time on applying it and taking it off. In some ways I admire those who have the patience and can be arsed.
I don't judge anyone else for wearing it. If it makes you feel good then go for it.
I used to work with a woman who always wore a full face of make up and constantly re touched during the day. I know she didn't have much confidence, not that everyone who wears it is in the same boat of course. She looked lovely but when we went out she looked the same as always, where everyone else who normally wore less or non looked really glamorous.
I would say do what makes you happy, maybe have a different look for daytime and night time so you can see a difference when you want to glam it up.
It's not vain.

Wear make up, don’t wear make up. As long as it’s your decision, don’t worry about other people’s uninvited criticisms.

I am blessed with very good skin, so rarely wear foundation etc. I love a good eyeliner though! I do look substantially younger without makeup which again is a genetic luck of the draw!

Wear make up, don’t wear make up. As long as it’s your decision, don’t worry about other people’s uninvited criticisms

Yes! This sums it up for me. As I said before I don’t wear makeup but I do get my eyebrows waxed and tinted and eyelash extensions (I look like a mole without mascara) so I don’t have to bother

I have often been asked what the point is since I don’t wear makeup. My answer is always, “because I like it”. No other reason.

Who gives a shit if it's vain? It's as vain as getting your hair coloured, or wearing nice clothes.

We are supposed to care about our appearance. Few of us are blessed with dewy skin, thickeye lashes, thick lustrous locks, and if a bit of slap or hair dye/styling product , gives you that then go for it if you want.

I see no glory in walking about with your eyebags and blotched skin etc, on full display, but if you prefer that, then go for it.

I'm not a man, I don't wish to be a man, nor do I wish to behave like I'm one. Make up is a choice, I will wear it when I please and when I don't please I won't. My face, my choice and if someone thinks it makes me vain then, colour me vain 🤣

It’s a sign of a self-confidence I don’t possess to present a bare face to the world.

I think it's simply the wrong word being used.

The definition of vanity is excessive pride or admiration of ones self. To say a woman who wears make up is excessively proud or admiring of herself is a bit bonkers, 🤣

Is it caring for your appearance, yes,of course, just like the man who shaves his face or has his hair cut into a fashionable style.

Make up done well enhances, not masks. There is a huge difference. But even if there wasn't, who cares. Women have the right to chose. Wear it or not. And judging each other for those choices is way worse than any vanity involved.

Feels like you can’t win - if you wear it you’re vain but if you don’t you don’t care about your appearance!

So best to do whatever you want!

I wear make-up every day, always have. I wear foundation, concealer, blusher, mascara and lipstick. I'm quite the opposite of vain - I think I look almost presentable with make-up. I'm now 59, and for the past 20 years I've had Rosacea (severe flushing of the facial skin, lots of thread veins) so I have to wear make-up.

Frankly, I would love to look decent without it, but I don't - and I couldn't give a toss about what anyone else thinks. I do it to make myself feel and look a bit better, no other reason.

Feels like you can’t win - if you wear it you’re vain but if you don’t you don’t care about your appearance!

What's wrong is the judgement. Women on women. Judging either other negatively on appearance. Not respecting their right to chose.

If you're that woman, then you should be ashamed.

I’ve done nothing but sit in a car today as we’ve driven home from holiday. I have a full face of make up: foundation, powder, mascara, highlighting on cheekbones, eye shadow and lip tint.

Why? I’m happier this way. I have rosacea, so have flushed skin and a red nose. I feel self conscious without it. I’m also happier in clean, matching clothes which fit and make the most of the better bits of my appearance. I don’t think it makes me vain.

I don’t mind what other choose to do, but I’m in my 40s and refuse to feel guilty about spending 15 minutes a day just thinking about me!

I don't wear makeup except for 2 maybe 3 times a year. I just can't be arsed, plus when at work I wash my face nearly every time I wash my hands.

I think makeup just like everything else becomes vain when it's an extreme. So when people put it above money issues,time spent with loved ones etc.

I know someone that wakes at 5 am to put a full face of makeup on. She has terrible self esteem and doesn't "dare" to face the world without it. I don't think she's vain at all,someone at some point did a real number on her. I feel that's different. Not just that but she would never put someone down regardless of makeup or no makeup. And I think that's the main difference between vain or not.

I very rarely go out without makeup on. It isn't really to do with how I look, I actually like my face without makeup. I think I look 'best' (which still is very average, lol) with just concealer under my eyes. However I love putting it on. I love that half an hour in the morning I spend with Gilmore Girls playing on my phone while I do my makeup for the day. I genuinely really enjoy it and feel good doing it, that's why I wear it.

I don’t think it’s vain. I wear full glam makeup most days. I wear it because I like it.

no one said it was vain apart from op's mum and friends.

want to wear it? wear it!

the only ones who want slapping are those who are rude to others, either by saying it is vain to wear it or saying those who dont look ill.

I can understand people wearing make-up because they like it and enjoy it.
I get pissed off when people say they feel too ashamed to leave the house without any make-up on - not pissed off with those individuals but with our society that makes women feel inadequate and embarrassed by the way they look. You rarely see men feeling that way.
I also wonder if people (other women?) judge me for not wearing make-up - so many people tell me I look tired. Well that's because I am bloody tired! I'm sure plenty of women look down on me because I'm not 'making an effort' or am being 'disrespectful'. As if I give a shiny shit!

First of all, anyone who thinks a woman is "vain" is a judgemental moron and should fuck off. It's like when you have body issues - you are neurotic, have issues; but when you like yourself and are interested in your own appearance - then suddenly, you're "vain"?? ffs.

I don't wear make-up but think anyone who does has every right to, because it's their body/face, and nothing to do with me.

Do what you like sister, and sod the busybodies who should mind their own business.