When men say "I prefer women without make-up"...

[ThingThatIBring]

AIBU to think that when men say "I prefer women without make-up" that they don't usually know what they're talking about (and don't usually have a clue that women ARE wearing it)?

The reality of this statement is usually:

• I don't like it when women wear really obvious MAKE-UP make-up (loads of lippy and false eyelashes etc) or when it's badly applied (making it obvious);
• I like really good-looking fresh-faced young women whose complexions, etc., look smooth without it;
• I like to think of myself as very wholesome (and maybe a bit of a feminist).

What they DON'T mean (but don't realise they don't mean) is:

• I prefer the look of the average woman of my own age without any make-up on.

I know so many men who say this, and it always mildly irritates me as it's said like it's a kind of virtue.

As a post-mating-phase human, it's not like it really affects my life. But it always makes me feel for all the women who are still in a position where they're affected by this nonsense...

My. DP doesn’t think I I look any different with or without make up.
I look like E.T. Without make up so I find what he says a bit annoying.

Plenty of women don't wear any makeup, just like most men don't wear it. I've never thought that people who wear makeup regularly are actually any more attractive than those who don't, they just look different.

This reminds me of when I met up with my ex boyfriend (boyfriend at the time) and his friend on a really sunny day and that evening my boyfriend told me that his friend said I 'wore a shit tonne of makeup' .. no idea why he felt the need to tell me that, I was wearing foundation, concealer, blush and bronzer, eye liner and mascara, so yeah probably more than some people wear but .. what was it to them!!!!? We broke up 6 months after that anyway

I wear natural looking makeup for but also because without it I resemble mrs trunchball (on a good day) …on a bad I look like i should quickly make my my way for emergency medical care and without even trying, I can easily frighten people with my naked face…I really do mean this 😂

I admit I don't really like some of the makeup trends that have been in for a while...what I think of as the "Kardashian look". But that's the beauty of makeup. Unlike clothing, where you're stuck with what's being sold, you're not at all limited by the fashions with cosmetics. You can always get any colours you want and then you can truly get whatever look you like, from red lips and winged liner to natural look to 80s neon and sparkle.

We are so used to seeing filtered skin on TV, social media, even skin that's concealed in real life, I think we've lost sight of normal skin.

I was about to post a video to a business page I run the other day, I was on my way to a fitness class and had no make up on. It was so tempting to filter is because you could see my skin texture - and I'm someone who religiously looks after my skin - it's ridiculous. We need to normalise real skin.

It has taken me ages to get comfortable with being make up free but I know that's it's easier given I have problem free skin and I'm young-ish.

Women care a lot more about other women wearing make-up or not wearing make-up than men do.

I have never had a man comment on the fact that I don't wear make-up. I have had many women comment on that and offer me products or suggestions.

My face is my face just like a man's face is his face. I really don't care what women or man doesn't like it the way it is at all. The whole premise of this thread is that a man can't ever prefer a woman with no make-up, that if he says that he is lying and actually means he likes a woman who wears make-up that isn't poorly applied. In reality, there are men who don't give a fig about women wearing make-up. And women seem to care an awful lot about who wears what. This is a problem women create for themselves. As someone who doesn't wear make-up, no one really cares that much in real life at all. The occasionaly comment from a woman who thinks she is being helpful is the only comments I have ever received. No one actually cares.

In reality, there are men who don't give a fig about women wearing make-up.

Very true. Some of them are gay.

Thread summary

All men are wrong.
About everything, all the time.
Some of them are like Hitler (it is in the thread).
Everything is the fault of men, even if it doesn't seem like it.

I'm one of those who tend to wear a full face of obvious make up(don't see the point in wearing make up to look like I'm not wearing any) and I have a particular style anyways which it's part of.

If any guy said that to my(made up) face I'd think he was being passive aggressive and I'd probably say something less than polite. In other circumstances I'd eyeroll and think 'FFS!'

I think your first opinion is right OP. I'd also think men like that think they're trying to say what they think women want to hear and as if women dress or should dress to please them.

Not that any of it bothers me. I couldn't care less what any guy thinks to me so their opinion I don't care for.

My eldest (15) son was convinced I didn't wear make up unless I was going out. I pointed out I was actually wearing at least 5 different products at that exact moment and he peered at my face in utter confusion.
Bless.

I rarely wear makeup I haven't noticed being treated more or less faverouably by men when I do/don't.

Women on the other hand! If I decode to wear a bit of mascara one day, the amount of comments I get is ridiculous. Anything from 'ooh you look so lovely today' to 'who you dressing up for?'

I find it quite tiring tbh, I feel other women notice way more than men.

Controlling arse-holey twats. Give them a wide berth.

I haven't noticed being treated more or less faverouably by men when I do/don't

I'm surprised by that. I definitely get treated differently. I find random men are more likely to hold doors open, let me on a train first and are just generally more pleasant the nicer I look.... sadly.

I always feel that when men say they prefer me without make up, they mean, really do I have to wait 5 minutes for you to get ready? OR, you look like a bag of shit, please don't make yourself look better so that other men might find you attractive, because I'm really insecure and you might realise I'm a shit boyfriend and you have other options!

@Marathoninjury

I saw this ages ago and this thread made me remember it - www.reddit.com/r/feemagers/comments/crgoom/while_there_are_exceptions_a_lot_of_guys_who_say/

It’s a woman in four photos - what men think heavy makeup is, what heavy makeup really is, what men think no makeup is, what no makeup actually is.

This is so true!!

My hubby has always said this and he does mean it. We've been married nearly 40 years and I don't wear it. I also think people look nicer without it, but their choice ofc.
I'm sure there are blokes who fall in all the other categories mentioned as well, though.

@Lunificent

My. DP doesn’t think I I look any different with or without make up. I look like E.T. Without make up so I find what he says a bit annoying.

So do I! So that’s why I find it disingenuous and patronising when men say that stuff! If make up didn’t make people look different and make them look better no one would buy it!

I don't wear make up. Never have and never will

Therefore I don't care

@daimbarsatemydogsbone

Thread summary

All men are wrong.
About everything, all the time.
Some of them are like Hitler (it is in the thread).
Everything is the fault of men, even if it doesn't seem like it.

@daimbarsatemydogsbone

I know, right?? Poor little menz, I feel so bad for them … not!

@Comedycook

Those calling it misogynistic are twisted The reality is a woman who is beautiful without make up is truly beautiful. A woman who is beautiful with make up, who the hell knows

Yes and men who are probably utterly average looking but believe they are entitled to be with a woman who is beautiful without a single bit of artificial help are misogynistic I think you'll find

This is the opposite of truth. No loser or average man feels entitled to anything. The worst possible existence in fact is that of a below average man. Look at the dating apps as an example. If you’re short you’re out, if you’re fat you’re out, if you’re broke you’re out. The only way an ugly dude gets an above average looking woman is compensating with other areas (perhaps fitness, wealth, assets) to make himself more attractive.

A below average looking woman will still want above average men. Such is the delusion of self worth through unearned titles such as “queen” and “boss babe”. A below average guy will get with a whale of a woman through lack of choice.

The fact you are trying to gaslight some fictitious and woefully inaccurate scenario is somewhat disturbing.

@31flavours

“No loser or average man feels entitled to anything. The worst possible existence in fact is that of a below average man.”

What utter bollocks you are talking

A below average guy will get with a whale of a woman through lack of choice

What??!
That is exactly the entitlement you were saying doesn't exist in the below average man!!

The worst possible existence in fact is that of a below average man.

Having read your post in full, I'm very sure you'd know.

I never knew so many women wore makeup. Most of the women I know my age don't. Younger family members wear a lot. Doesn't mean we 'have let ourselves go' either.

Would love to know the data on this!