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Original poster

How do you feel about women that don't wear make-up -thread 2

217 replies

flutterby1 · 20/02/2024 07:41

Just wondering what your true JUDGY thoughts are? I don't wear makeup often I'm in my mid forties. How am I perceived? Lazy? Frumpy? Not caring? Boring? Can't be bothered to make an effort for others ? Or self confident enough not to ' need' it, regardless of how attractive you view yourself ?

OP posts:
ginasevern · 05/06/2025 16:06

Maybe it's just me but I don't see too many women wearing make-up these days, or at least not much, and certainly not young women. Admittedly I haven't been anywhere glamorous or to something like a wedding for years, so I guess women would still wear it then.

whatisitallaboutthen · 05/06/2025 16:09

CoffeeAddick · 20/02/2024 08:03

If I saw a woman over 40 without make up my thoughts on her will be coloured by the occasion (gym, hospital, wedding), the context in which I see her (recently bereaved, just woke up, recovering from surgery, walking the dog), how the rest of her appearance looks in terms of style and grooming. Her accent and voice as well, does she sound like a posh woman,a rough accent, an essex accent?

If she looks good I would wonder if she has no make up make up on, of if she works in skin and beauty so has access to all the best tech or if she is a rich woman having a day off (sports, tired, feeling down, letting skin 'breathe').

If she has skin issues that would look better with make up like pigmentation, dark circles, sallow skin (basically how I look without make up) then I would wonder if she is ill, depressed or doesn't know how to apply make up (because that's my situation) because I know she would look better with some and it doesn't even take much time or products. The only times I haven't bothered were when I was too sad or ill or both to bother with make up.

If she looks average, depending on her mannerisms, voice tone and clothes I would wonder if she is a butch lesbian or religious or super feminist.

Wow! I've lost count of all the presumptions in this post! Maybe they are happy in their own skin and can't be bothered to put on make up to please others 😆

neverbeenskiing · 05/06/2025 16:17

I wear make up every day but I don't tend to notice whether other women are wearing make up or not unless they're very heavily made up.

Sofiewoo · 05/06/2025 16:19

I don’t care what anyone does with their own face. I do hate when women act like they’re so much better or smarter than women who do wear it though. Exhausting.

BIossomtoes · 05/06/2025 16:26

ginasevern · 05/06/2025 16:06

Maybe it's just me but I don't see too many women wearing make-up these days, or at least not much, and certainly not young women. Admittedly I haven't been anywhere glamorous or to something like a wedding for years, so I guess women would still wear it then.

Maybe they’re like me and intentionally make it invisible? Apart from lipstick - and I love a red lip - you’d probably think I wasn’t wearing any.

spoonbillstretford · 05/06/2025 16:32

I can't say as I generally notice whether someone is wearing makeup, OP.

I only notice when someone is really wearing a lot and has weird enhancements and clothes in the manner of Katie Price.

IfYouPutASausageInItItsNotAViennetta · 05/06/2025 16:33

My job means we are expected to look professional, and the majority do wear subtle make up , but I certainly don’t judge the lady who doesn’t, it’s just not her thing .

I will never understand how it's considered somehow 'unprofessional' to be seen at work with your own (clean, washed) face - but only for half of the employees.

It makes me think of that horrible up-themselves clothes shop - is it A&F? - that only employs sales staff whom they consider to be 'attractive', regardless of how friendly, efficient, skilled and experienced they are in customer service.

There's nothing more unprofessional than bigotry against people whom you arrogantly consider inferior to you, because of their natural physical appearance, in my book.

AnonKat · 05/06/2025 16:35

I only wear it for events like weddings or parties. Never everyday. I've always been lucky with clear skin. But mostly I'm just not good at make up! I think i look better without it with my skills 🤣

Youagain2025 · 05/06/2025 16:38

lm mid 40s and have not worn make you since I was 20. And to be honest I look really old. Its been so ong I just wouldn't now.

Wimpeyspread · 05/06/2025 16:40

CoffeeAddick · 20/02/2024 08:03

If I saw a woman over 40 without make up my thoughts on her will be coloured by the occasion (gym, hospital, wedding), the context in which I see her (recently bereaved, just woke up, recovering from surgery, walking the dog), how the rest of her appearance looks in terms of style and grooming. Her accent and voice as well, does she sound like a posh woman,a rough accent, an essex accent?

If she looks good I would wonder if she has no make up make up on, of if she works in skin and beauty so has access to all the best tech or if she is a rich woman having a day off (sports, tired, feeling down, letting skin 'breathe').

If she has skin issues that would look better with make up like pigmentation, dark circles, sallow skin (basically how I look without make up) then I would wonder if she is ill, depressed or doesn't know how to apply make up (because that's my situation) because I know she would look better with some and it doesn't even take much time or products. The only times I haven't bothered were when I was too sad or ill or both to bother with make up.

If she looks average, depending on her mannerisms, voice tone and clothes I would wonder if she is a butch lesbian or religious or super feminist.

You spend an awful lot of time theorising about other people’s looks! I couldn’t tell you which of my friends wears makeup and which doesn’t, and I certainly don’t care! I don’t, never have, can’t see the point

Tessiebear2023 · 05/06/2025 16:41

Hiddenvoice · 20/02/2024 07:58

I feel jealous if I’m honest and I know it sounds stupid. I’m so insecure in my own skin that I put make up on as my mask. I see women who go about naturally and I wish I had their confidence and their lovely skin.

I don’t wear heavy make up, I try my hardest to make it look natural and not cakey. I’ve gone to work a few times without and had comments from colleagues that I look tired, that I must be unwell or I’m having a bad day.
I’ve also had a ‘friend’ comment to my dh and her dh that I’m not one of those women who can go without and need make up to look more appealing.

Same here. I wear a bit of makeup everyday, but on the days I've just had to go out without it usually gets a concerned look, or commented on "are you OK?" type thing.

I have blonde hair, so my eyebrows and lashes are almost invisible if I don't want makeup, and I also have very bad acne scarring, so my complexion is quite uneven.

I'd love to be able to not wear makeup and go unnoticed.

PinkiOcelot · 05/06/2025 16:46

I honestly don’t feel anything at all. Whether someone is wearing it or not isn’t on my radar.
I wear it but don’t care if others do or don’t.

menopausalfart · 05/06/2025 16:55

The only time I notice make-up, is if someone has plastered their face in it.

BucketofTeaMassiveCake · 05/06/2025 16:56

I feel that women who don't wear make-up either have enough self-confidence to go without or conversely perhaps don't have the confidence to apply it as they feel that they don't know how to do so or know what suits them.

At 70 I only wear eyebrow pencil (largely lost them to chemotherapy) and lipstick for a day out. I make an effort to dress smartly and have nice hair. If people have an opinion about me that's their business. I would rather be judged on my personality, how I treat people, rather than how I look.

When I was younger I wore the whole kaboodle - foundation, blusher, eye-shadow, powder. It was probably because I had no self-confidence whatsoever and used all this stuff as armour in order to be able to face the world.

Now I don't really care what others think of me, see above.

wand3rer · 05/06/2025 16:57

CoffeeAddick · 20/02/2024 08:03

If I saw a woman over 40 without make up my thoughts on her will be coloured by the occasion (gym, hospital, wedding), the context in which I see her (recently bereaved, just woke up, recovering from surgery, walking the dog), how the rest of her appearance looks in terms of style and grooming. Her accent and voice as well, does she sound like a posh woman,a rough accent, an essex accent?

If she looks good I would wonder if she has no make up make up on, of if she works in skin and beauty so has access to all the best tech or if she is a rich woman having a day off (sports, tired, feeling down, letting skin 'breathe').

If she has skin issues that would look better with make up like pigmentation, dark circles, sallow skin (basically how I look without make up) then I would wonder if she is ill, depressed or doesn't know how to apply make up (because that's my situation) because I know she would look better with some and it doesn't even take much time or products. The only times I haven't bothered were when I was too sad or ill or both to bother with make up.

If she looks average, depending on her mannerisms, voice tone and clothes I would wonder if she is a butch lesbian or religious or super feminist.

I never wore makeup, except on my wedding day.

I never wondered what people thought of it, but now I'd love to know! Would you have put me in the butch lesbian, religious, or super feminist category? 😁

Shelllendyouhertoothbrushtoo · 05/06/2025 17:17

I've been thinking about this recently because I don't wear make up often because I can't be arsed.

I think we need to re-claim the term, "she's let herself go!".

Yes. I've let myself go from ridiculous, misogynistic beauty standards and expectations.
I've let myself go from having to be smooth as a baby's bum all over.
I've let myself go from worrying what men I don't know think about my face and body (because I'm certain most women don't give a flying fck)
I've let myself go from routines that mean I have to get up earlier than my husband despite sleeping worse because he keeps me awake all night snoring.
I've let myself go from putting their needs of how I should be and look above my own peace.

AKA menopause.

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 05/06/2025 17:24

I literally don't care. It's entirely their independent choice to make and has absolutely no effect on me or anyone else...

Babla · 05/06/2025 19:03

I don’t wear it because I don’t need it

Tessiebear2023 · 05/06/2025 20:34

Howmanycatsistoomany · 20/02/2024 09:14

IME it's mostly the women who slap it on with a trowel who judge those of us who don't.

I'm not 'team trowel', but how would you know if women who wear makeup are judging you? They probably don't pay much notice to you tbh.

I think that women who wear lots of makeup are more likely to compare themselves to other women who do, if they see a woman who's wearing it well they're going to pay more attention to her to hopefully pick up some tips. Just like, if you're a shoe person, you pay attention to other's shoes, or jewellery, or hair colour, etc (depending on your 'thing').

Since I've been in my late 40s I've noticed I've been paying a lot more attention to other women in their 50s and 60s (makeup or not), mostly because I'm suddenly aware of this 'aging thing' and the next stage of life, and I'm trying to see what's ahead for me. I've noticed that women can look great with or without makeup, it just depends on personality and style, we all have different ways of expressing ourselves.

StMarie4me · 05/06/2025 20:35

I don’t ‘feel’ anything about them. What an odd thing to ask.

Feminism is about choice. That’s it.

StMarie4me · 05/06/2025 20:37

Tessiebear2023 · 05/06/2025 20:34

I'm not 'team trowel', but how would you know if women who wear makeup are judging you? They probably don't pay much notice to you tbh.

I think that women who wear lots of makeup are more likely to compare themselves to other women who do, if they see a woman who's wearing it well they're going to pay more attention to her to hopefully pick up some tips. Just like, if you're a shoe person, you pay attention to other's shoes, or jewellery, or hair colour, etc (depending on your 'thing').

Since I've been in my late 40s I've noticed I've been paying a lot more attention to other women in their 50s and 60s (makeup or not), mostly because I'm suddenly aware of this 'aging thing' and the next stage of life, and I'm trying to see what's ahead for me. I've noticed that women can look great with or without makeup, it just depends on personality and style, we all have different ways of expressing ourselves.

Show quote history

I’m 62 and some days I am bare faced and some days I am full make up. Depends how I feel on the day. Choices! Love it!

Tessiebear2023 · 05/06/2025 20:53

StMarie4me · 05/06/2025 20:37

I’m 62 and some days I am bare faced and some days I am full make up. Depends how I feel on the day. Choices! Love it!

Show quote history

That's fantastic. I have noticed that many women in their 50s and 60s become more experimental, and try different things out. There's a feeling of less peer pressure and freedom at this stage of life, you can please yourselves. I've noticed braver colour choices, bold jewellery or glasses frames, and comfortable styles. And, yes, lots of makeup or none at all - it's all good! I'm lucky to work somewhere that I meet many women in this age group, so I'm making the most of watching and learning!

britinnyc · 05/06/2025 21:25

I don’t really notice what other people do. I wear makeup because I like it and enjoy the morning routine. I keep it neutral and minimal but love trying new products and having a bit of fun with it, same as with clothes. The only thing I hate is women who look down on women who do wear makeup and dismiss them as stupid, shallow, insecure etc. Seen a lot of this on this thread.

financialcareerstuff · 07/06/2025 09:43

I am 48 and don’t wear make up day to day. To go out on a nice evening, I have a fresh shower and hair wash, then literally take 5 mins to stick in my contact lenses, put a tiny smear of eyeliner on and mascara. Nothing on skin or lips still. I doubt people know I’m wearing it but it slightly elevates my eyes. I’ve only worn foundation- very lightly applied- on my wedding day. I could see the make up artist did a lovely job (I warned her I wanted super natural). I suddenly seemed to have a bit more bone structure and looked lovely, but not enough to make me want to bother day to day. It’s not that I have no interest in appearance. I enjoy nice clothes and often dress quite nicely even at home for my pleasure.

I just feel like the real me is fine to take to the world.

I would never notice if someone had no make up, I only notice if there is so much on I can’t tell what they would look like without it. Then I tend to feel a bit sorry for them because I think they must not be super comfortable with themselves…. But their choices are theirs.

Createausername1970 · 07/06/2025 09:49

I am in my 60s, apart from occasionally wearing it if friends "made me up" before a night out I never wore it and have never bought any.

You can judge me how you want, I don't give a toss 😎