Why do you wear make up?

[clarequilty]

Just that, really.

Because I have very deep set eyes and unless I use concealer I get asked if I am unwell.
Because I'm getting loads of hormone related zits, and having had lovely clear skin before, I cover them up as they make sad.

Most days I just wear tinted moisturiser, mascara and some rose lip balm but then I'm running around with children and not in a customer facing role anymore.
When I had to be suited and booted for work I was a lot more highly groomed.
I wear make-up (whatever amount) because I like how I look with it. But I also like how I look when I've not got any on, as long as I've had enough sleep and drunk enough water!

I like the way it makes me look.

It makes me look better.

To enhance my good features (eyes). No reason really. I am definitely not on the hunt for a man or anything.

Like other posters, it covers up the bad bits (bad skin, dark circles) and enhances the good bits (long eyelashes, but fair without mascara). That's about the sum of it!

I don't wear it but I'm starting to get interested in the whole idea. Is there a good thread on S&B where I can go to learn? Like the bra threads?

(I've never found a foundation that remotely matched the colour of my skin, which is a really strange pink. )

Primarily to make my skin look better. Mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow opens my eyes. Lipstick plumps my lips and blusher enhances my cheekbones.

I do not go out without wearing make up. Never. Even if my house was on fire I would stop to put it on!

On some days I wear make up and style my hair.

On other days I don't wear make up and my hair goes in a scrunchie.

It just depends how I feel.

So I don't look like I am surviving on very little sleep.

I have been told I resemble a heroin addict without eye makeup

When I was in my 20's I was fascinated by the power of transformation. My mum always told people my sister was the pretty one (she was, too) but I had "something about me". When I started wearing makeup regularly in my early 20's, just basic stuff, not like 14 yr olds do today, I suddenly "became" pretty and as a former Tom boy, I loved it! I loved playing with it.... I'm still drawn to the counters like a kid in a sweet shop. The packaging, the colours and textures. Like jewels.

In my 30's I wore it to hide my lack of sleep. (Kids)
In my 40's, to hide the massive stress of divorce
I'm 51 next month and now, I wear it because I feel tired without it and "together" with it on. I can honestly, honestly say, that I wear it for ME. Not my husband or society or to fit in.

Good make-up ( not necessarily expensive though) is so transformative and it gives me a massive confidence boost. I look washed out and so much older without it - am happy to go bare-faced at the weekend at home but I haven't left the house or answered the door without some level of make-up since I was about 15 - am 41 now. I really enjoy products and my mum started me on an excellent skincare routine at 12 so all this stuff is second nature. I don't wear a great deal and veer towards the youthifying glowy look. My colleague never wears it and believes it to be rather vain and a bit of a foolish frippery - can't help but think she is missing out on something rather fun.

I wear make up so people don't keep asking me if I'm alright, and do I need to sit down

I can look a bit haggard without it, but a touch of mascara and liner and I think I look better.
A swipe of bronzed around and about makes me look warmer, iykwim!

I wear makeup to justify the amount of money I spend on it.

Because I'm so amazingly pale without being an English rose that I have to. My face is just blank otherwise - but simply add some foundation, eyebrow pencil, eyeshadow, a tiny bit of eyeliner, mascara and lipstick and I look fine. I never look overmade up, but without makeup I look pale and wan. And 60. (I'm 42).

Because I love the way it looks.

Simple as that really.

Foundation to cover my skin tone which is not naice, mascara to make me look awake, and bright red lipstick to make me look glam :) but probably fails

Don't wear a lot more. I spend about 2 mins doing it. A bit longer if I'm going out to a party or something and I may even try to put a bit of eyeshadow on.

:)

It looks good. I like it. I want to.

Most days I don't wear it. This summer I have as I have a bit of a tan and a nice even tan looks so much nicer than a blodgy old fizz hog.

Btw:

BRILLIANT! Bit like me but not the eyeliner and only occasionally blusher.

Why do I wear make up OP? Cos I'm worth it!

Sorry that was in response to Running's link. Thanks for that. :)

I only wear eye make up, eyeliner and mascara, or nude eyeshadow shades and mascara. I just like how it enhances the way my eyes look...not totally different, just...more IYKWIM?

I used to wear a lot of purple eyeliner (green eyes) but now I prefer a more natural look.

Hate foundation, concealer, blusher and lipstick though. I'm happy to go about with blotchy skin but don't take my mascara away!

It makes me look less dead.

I don't wear much, especially if I have a tan, but I wouldn't throw away my makeup bag.

It protects my skin. Make up provides a barrier between you and pollutants.

Some make up is actively good for the skin like mineral make up.

I look 10 years younger than my actual age from having worn make up since my late teens.