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...

Means they prefer beautiful women.

@5128gap

Just to add, men may be a lot of things, but it's a bit of a stretch to suggest they can't tell when a woman has make up on. They don't have to be clever or 'understand' make up to see it with their own eyes. No matter how well applied, foundation is always visible, mascara can be seen on the lashes and eye make up is clearly, well...there. If a man gets close enough even the stupidest of them will know whether you're wearing it or not.

Oh bless you.

They really won’t know. They’re quite simple creatures

Actually as a woman I tHinj some woman look better without huge lip fillers so if I can think that why can't a man
Im not telling someone they can't or shouldn't but my honest opinion is that some look better before

People are looking to be offended , i may say i prefer men i
With brown hair , so what
So if a man says I prefer woman who wear less make up thats also ok surely
If they march up to a random woman and just say it for no reason then weird but why can they not express a preference

As for foundation etc he said let your skin breathe.

Foundation doesn't stop your skin from 'breathing', whatever that means. And modern foundations are often very good for the skin, containing moisturisers and sun protection.

@worriedatthistime

Actually as a woman I tHinj some woman look better without huge lip fillers so if I can think that why can't a man Im not telling someone they can't or shouldn't but my honest opinion is that some look better before

There’s a fair old difference between some bb cream and mascara and lip fillers

@LittleBearPad yes but its still an opinion on something though isn't it which technically is along the same line , an opinion on someones appearance
Lets face it most of us do it at sometime or another its not exclusive to men

I think I probably would look better with well applied subtle make up on. But it's such an enormous faff, I bother about 5 times a year and TBH I'm not very good at it. I think I look attractive enough without it. As PP said a good sleep, a run in the park or a good shag will do as much for you.

@LittleBearPad well thats wuote sexist isn't it calling them simple
Such double standards, some men may notice , some may not
Some men are make up artists so would def be able to tell
Some women can tell some can't
Double standards much

Ha yes! My DH made a comment to me about someone on telly having long eyelashes. I explained to him that the lashes were fake. He had no idea.

My husband used to say this to me thinking he was paying me a compliment. But what he didn't realise was I'd actually tried really hard to wear nice make up. Just not great at doing it. Didn't feel great lol

Men are very stupid creatures. They mean they don’t like glitter (and usually this this code for I hate women)

To be fair, men are probably comparing no makeup to the modern slug eyebrows and trend to be so heavily made up often women's faces are a notably different colour to their neck and other skin. Who wouldn't prefer no makeup to that?

@TempName01
I do, because with it I'm a mess of red blotches and weeping sores...

@Regularsizedrudy yet another sexist comment and I think men know what glitter is and make up
Why do you think its ok to tar half the population with a sweeping comment

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

This. Exp said it like it was a fucking virtue and it irritates me more than mildly.

Exp also refused to comment when I dyed my hair blonde and just made a passive aggressive statement. Twat.

It makes me think, they want someone pretty enough to be attractive to them but plain enough not to attract the attention of other men.

I know that’s cynical. I wear a lot of makeup and love it.

his celebrity crush and idea of this is Blake lively.

This is ironic, because Blake Lively has bad both a nose and a boob job. But 'natural', ok.

@dipdye

Means they prefer beautiful women.

Nah what they prefer is 'non threatening' which is why they like 'girl next door'

@Sisteragatha

It makes me think, they want someone pretty enough to be attractive to them but plain enough not to attract the attention of other men.

I know that’s cynical. I wear a lot of makeup and love it.

Yep this is it x

@DrSbaitso

I think men don't like the trickery either.

It's makeup, not an investment scam.

Kyiv your post made me laugh so much, what a cheek that man had trying to tell you non-stop what you should do with your own face. The horrible comment he came back to you with, did you answer him back. You should have said 'sitting beside you would turn the sanest woman into a bitch' ... do you still work with this man. Hope you turned up the next day with even more make up on just to annoy him or sat at your desk applying your loud lipstick. Thanks for the giggle..

Frankly any sentence that starts with 'I prefer women with/without/who...' is a bit shit. Always gives the impression the speaker considers himself a bit of a connoisseur and thinks of women as pigeonholable.

[quote worriedatthistime]@LittleBearPad well thats wuote sexist isn't it calling them simple
Such double standards, some men may notice , some may not
Some men are make up artists so would def be able to tell
Some women can tell some can't
Double standards much [/quote]
And?

Some of you really live such cynical lifes and the sexism on here is shocking
Why is it ok for women to be sexist on a post accusing men of it