How do you feel about yourself with and without makeup?

[Destinysdaughter]

I've worn makeup since I was 13 and I don't feel like 'me' without it . I sometimes feel like 2 different pp tbh as I'd never go out ( except to pop to the local shops, go swimming etc) without it .I am quite pale with blotchy skin, prone to redness and think I look ill without it. However, with well applied make up I can look pretty good!

Wearing make up hasn't harmed my skin as I've always taken it off at night, moisturised etc but my idea of hell would be to be put in a situation where I couldn't wear it as I'd feel ugly and unconfident.

Wondered how other pp feel about their looks with/without make up ?

I feel artificial with make up on. It makes my eyes feel odd and I blink too often. I started using a tinted moisturiser recently, and it makes my face feel heavy and unnatural. Am having to just accept the ravages of time in the same way that men do. If people are judging my professionalism on the basis of my make up, it is they that have got it wrong.

I've worn it every day since I was about 13 but now, at 44, I'm beginning to think that my skin at least looks better without it. I'm pretty much wrinkle-free (being overweight has its advantages ) and I've used sunscreen, cleansed thoroughly and moisturised twice a day every day since I started wearing makeup. In the last few years I've used a serum too and I think it's paid off. So these days I often don't bother with foundation - just a little concealer if I need it. Foundation sort of bleaches me out and makes my skin look very one dimensional, possibly because I'm so pale. Without, my skin is glowy and healthy looking.

I often go to the local shop with no make up but my eyelashes are so fair I look a bit beige and invisible, but I can't say it bothers me. 20 years ago it might've. Being a bit older is so freeing

I have a friend who won't even answer the door to the postman without a full face on - of she's not 'done' she'll go to the depot to collect a parcel instead. My postman probably wishes I was so committed

I definitely feel better about myself if I wear makeup.
With sallow skin and black circles a bit of foundation, concealer and eyeliner makes me feel presentable. Without people ask me if I'm tired.

I'd never go work or out socially without a bit on but oddly enough on holiday, even in the evenings, I don't bother.

I can do without makeup, but I'm blondy-red haired, so I dye my eyebrows and eyelashes.

When the dye wears off, I can still go out happily, but I'm conscious I do look a bit washed out and piggy-eyed - less Sissy Spacek and more Boris Becker .

Normal makeup for me is mascara, spot cover on a particular red blemish, and maybe eye liner.

I feel happier with, but functional without. I'm always wary of using too much makeup, just because I feel I'd start to hate my actual face, which would be sad. That makes me sound bonkers!

There comes a time when Rock Chic, heavy make up and long hair is a look that needs to be binned entirely

And when might that be?

Some of the most stunning 50/60/70somethings I know have hair to their waists and wouldn't be seen dead without lashings of eyeliner. The long hair past 40 'rule' is the only thing that needs binning entirely, imo.

Makeup for me is for special occasions. I grew up with a mom who was always made up - for some reason, it had an opposite reaction on me.

I only learned to apply basic makeup in my early 30s. On a regular day, I only have sunblock and I groom my brows.

I was very similar to you for years, OP. The main reason I used make-up was because my acne-prone skin made me feel ugly. It took over 30 years for it to clear up, and I still get more than the odd spot.

Now I couldn't give a damn. Being in my 40s is strangely liberating.

I feel fine without make up but I am very fraudulent in that I wear no make up make up
Very light highlighter concealer and cream blush and natural mascara

i only wear make up to go out for a night out, and don't do that anymore. It doesn't effect how I feel about myself either way.

Also all foundation/BB cream make me orange.

I've been wearing makeup since around 13, even to school. I never go anywhere without it. It wouldn't be "me".

It takes 5 mins. I use foundation, powder, concealer, eye shadow and lippy. I sometimes use kohl.

I'm ancient, and I'm (pleasantly) surprised at the improvements in makeup, and foundation in particular over recent years. Much, much better now and longer-lasting.

I look awful without make up. With it I look passable.

I apply it first thing in the morning, after showering and dressing, regardless of whether I'm going out or just slobbing around the house. I don't wear a thick layer though. A light foundation, concealer, mascara, blusher and well-blotted coral lipstick so that it all looks quite natural.

Once out of your 20s in reality most people are going to look better with make up, over the years make up has vastly improved, foundations are a much lighter texture and it's easy to apply to get a natural looking finish which is only going to enhance your skin!

I wear make-up everyday because I look awful without it. Even with it I don't look great, especially as I am not particularly proficient at putting it on but it definitely makes a difference.

I look shit loads better with it on. I wouldn't take the bins out unless I have the full works on or I just don't feel me.

Make-up is fantastic.

I wear very little of it, so I don't think it makes all that much difference. I always wear mascara and a bit of eyeshadow and for nights out I'd increase the eyemakeup and use a bit of eyeliner. I hate the look and feel of lipstick on me so I only wear gloss.

I think if I were ever to have 'professional makeup" done I'd feel like a transvestite. I don't really have a problem with how how i look, really, and I'd hate to think there's someone prettier in there if only I wore makeup all the time. That's a lot of pressure

OTOH the difference it makes on other people, on makeover shows. But there's just so much of it on them and I don't think I can be arsed

I'm 24 and I never wear makeup. I don't feel the need for it, and that's why I never wear it.
Even on my wedding day I didn't have any on at all.

I don't like wearing a lot, but will wear tinted moisturiser, blusher, mascara and tidy up my brows to smarten up.
I find the more makeup I wear, the worse I look, and don't like the look of myself in it

It takes less than 5 mins to put on my make up and I go every single day with it on. I feel very self conscious without it. I don't understand the 'I'm too lazy' statements as it's hardly a massive job.

reallyanotherone the menstrual cycle takes it out of women, we lose a great deal of iron each month, which can make us look less rosy / alert etc than men. Also breastfeeding can deplete the body of vitamins, so it is no wonder that women turn to make up at some point in their lives to enhance their looks.

I wear make up, I love mascara and eyeliner. But eye shadows and foundation wear off quickly and so I tend not to wear them too often. I have darker skin and makeup is not always as easily accessible as for fairer skins, and so it took me until my 30s to get myself to buy and wear foundations, Bb creams etc with confidence. When I wear them, I do feel like my skin is caked unfortunately, so now I am trying just to wear sunscreen in the daytimes.

I never wore it in my teens - first time was to my prom in 2006, age 16. I was bullied a lot and didn't see the point as I thought I was awful no matter what I did.

Now, at 27 and after a lot of reassurance from friends and positive experiences I've realised I am worth caring about, so I've started wearing it and love how it makes me look.

I look like a better me, I tend to accentuate my eyes as I love them, so will do eyeshadow/liner/mascara and concealer under my eyes. I'll sometimes use a BB cream if my skin is looking a bit rubbish, but am looking for a new one as mine caused a major break out last time I wore it. If I wear anything on my lips it's a nude shade.

Should've said in my last post, I can go out without it, and my friends don't care whether I wear it or not, although they do notice when I do :)

The two of us looked far, far better than the other 13 who were aged between 42 and 48 and trying far too hard to hold onto their lost youth

Well as much as I admire your self belief in just how great you look, the fact you need to bring other women down in comparison to you is not pleasant. The fact you feel the need to judge and compete in this manner reeks of jealousy and insecurity.

I will point out you're the only poster who answered the question in this way . By saying you look so much better than other women and putting those women down.

Oh and I think uou will find whether you do look better than them or not is hugely subjective. But you crack on with your mysogyny.

I've been wearing make up since the age of 13 and now at 37 won't go out without any on. At the very least I wear a BB cream, mascara and a bit of blusher but that's on a very good skin day. That said, if I'm on my hols and have a bit of a tan I do try to just wear mascara. Very rare though!

I have rosacea which, when it flares up, is a blotchy nightmare so there's no way I'm going out without my face on. Plus I sleep badly so have dark circles.

I feel more confident with my make up on. I'm Not bothered about being natural as my natural face is pale, blotchy and nackered looking. No thanks.