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Original poster

Do you wear make up every day and if not, why not?

358 replies

purplepeony · 08/02/2010 09:50

Can't get my head around why so many bright, lovely women don't use a bit of slap and would rather face the world with grey, pale, or sun-spotted complexions when 5 minutes with a bit of slap would transform them.

Don't we want to look as good as we can all of the time for as long as we can?

(And don't say you haven't time- I can do full war paint in just over 5 minutes.!)

OP posts:
MarineIguana · 09/02/2010 11:57

Agreed orm, I like to wear a bit but it's a different matter pronouncing that all women should. Women should do what they like with their appearance. I sometimes see a woman with no make-up at all and she looks great - other times I see a woman and think "wow that eyeshadow colour suits her" - whatever.

cheesesarnie · 09/02/2010 12:01

i usually wear a bit of mascara and eye liner most days but this is a recent thang-in last 6 months.i realised that when putting on bit of slap for parties etc i felt good and that a bit in the day doesnt make me a tart.

some days i wear a bit more-foundation,eyeshadow(browns usually though so subtle),lipgloss but some days though i just cant be arsed!

i think people should do what makes them happy,if that includes make up so be it,if not -thats good too.

mangoandlime · 09/02/2010 12:03

When I wear my make up, I'm me, only better!

If I don't wear it, it's no biggie, I'm still me.

'Pro-groomer' and proud of it. Couldn't care less if anyone else wears make up or not. You either love it or you don't really.

I do agree with the yukky feet though, sorry!

OrmRenewed · 09/02/2010 12:13

Oh I don't disagree about the feet TBH but I really don't get disgusted or offended by them in the way I would if someone smelt bad or had foul breath. It doesn't seem that big a deal.

displayuntilbestbefore · 09/02/2010 12:38

2old4thislark - your suggestion that men might turn towards a woman who wears more make up than their make-up free wives is ridiculous. I can't be the only woman whose DH prefers her not to wear make up and if you wear makeup to attract comments from men you vaguely know then I feel a bit sorry for you really.
You're also not doing the pro-make up argument much good if you believe it's worn by women to attract men rather than just for them to feel more radiant and confident.
I certainly don't put mascara on to try and bag a dad in the playground....

cheesesarnie · 09/02/2010 12:43

i dont do it for men.i do it for me.dh wouldnt notice if i had my face painted as a clown.

mangoandlime · 09/02/2010 13:00

I actually enjoy the application too, I find it a very relaxing part of my morning routine.

2old4thislark · 09/02/2010 13:02

display I wasn't saying I wear make up to attract comments. I just couldn't help feeling good about a compliment. I'm 45 FFS!
I said I realise I must be shallow and vain but thanks for feeling sorry for me!

I think a lot of men don't like to see tons of make-up. But I do think if we make an effort we feel better about ourselves. I appreciate not everyone seems to agree.

Ok. So Hubbie goes to work, spends his day with flirty, well groomed women and then comes home to 'can't be arsed'? It's not just about the make up in the end, it more than that. I go to work, meet chatty charming men and then come home to Jim Royle! Can't help but compare - sorry! I'm not going anywhere but can't help notice the difference.

NomDePlume · 09/02/2010 13:07

i don't

i look fine without it

if i wear it every day i get spots.

sorry if i don't live up to OP's bizarre idea of what is acceptable and what is not.

carmenelectra · 09/02/2010 13:25

2old, I completely agree with the bit about coming home to Jim Royle!Thats a great comparison.

I do think though that its bullshit when men say that they prefer women without make up. That translated means that they prefer their women without make up but like to look at women who wear it. Most men probably dont the full on trowel look but i do think they think some make up looks better than none.

MollyRoger · 09/02/2010 13:27

I've already confessed to having self esteem issues and said i wear make up most days. i like to look nice.
but I also wear make-up becasue i am scared of being judged by women, I was VERY plain as a child but got on with boys because i am quite masculine in my thinking, i think. (i'm a simple soul,)
Well, some girls were vile to me, it was them who berated me for my looks, flat chest, glasses etc. Not the boys.
I find women comment more on appearance then men. It's women who do the ''oh you look tired/ill'' etc.
I know not all women are like this but if I analyse it, i think it is other women i feel judged by mostly and other women I am aware of when I get ready.

2old4thislark · 09/02/2010 13:34

So Carmen, you have a Jim Royle of your very own too! I was looking back at photo's of when we were first together and was a bit shocked by how much he's changed. God, I'm sounding even more shallow now.....

I do believe my opinions are slghtly skewed by the fact that I need to look groomed and fairly youthful for my job. Sorry but in my line of work, image is considered important.

Also was left by first husband with a 3 and 5 year old for another women.....If that doesn't give you insecurity issues, nothing will!

Asana · 09/02/2010 13:44

I wear makeup whenever I am planning on leaving the house. I have/had very severe cystic acne and my face is covered with scars which, contrary to popular opinion, don't really fade away over time. When my DS was born, I went to my doctor's sans slap and the man didn't recognise me - he actually asked me if I was ill! The appointment was for my DS, BTW

TigerFeet · 09/02/2010 13:48

sometimes i do, sometimes i don't

mostly cba

will put some on if i am going out (rare)

sometimes mascara & lip gloss if i feel like looking a little more groomed, but there is no rhyme or reason to when i choose to and when i choose not to

i do look better with, but looking my best at all times isn't that high on my priority list

i don't care whether people do or don't, i know people who are immaculately groomed at all times, and others who prefer tracky bottoms and fleeces, either is fine. each to their own. i fall somewhere between the two i suppose

btw mollyroger, from pics i've seen of you, you are gorgeous

carmenelectra · 09/02/2010 14:05

2old, I wouldnt say ive actually got a Jim Royle, in fact he generally looks pretty good. However, he will nothing of sitting round like a scruffy tramp, not shaved etc whereas i very rarely do this. I wouldnt say that I am glammed up or anything but i make an effort every day. Hair done or tied up neatly, make up, proper clothes like jeans(lol). What im trying to say is men generally like women to look nice but forget to look in the mirror themselves. They might complain that their wife has let herself go, but not notice they have gone the same way. Btw my dp isnt like this at all.

2old4thislark · 09/02/2010 14:14

I agree carmenelectra..........My dh isn't too bad either - just can be a bit slobby, if he hasn't got to go anywhere. Forgets I've got to look at him tho!

Walkingwiththighosaurs · 09/02/2010 14:30

I wear make-up every day, unless I know I am not going out. You don't necessarily look like a slapper if you wear make-up, mine takes me 5 or 6 minutes and looks very natural. But without it I look dreadful and very pale. I have to add here though that foundation does protect your skin from the elements and having worn foundation every day since my early 20's I think now in my mid forties my skin is lovely and even though I say so myself I don't look my age. Perhaps I may be vain, I just like to make the best of what I have.

2old4thislark · 09/02/2010 14:44

Here, here, Walkingwiththighosaurs!

frakkinaround · 09/02/2010 14:54

I do because I know how to apply it, can also do it quickly (right tools are the secret) and don?t SLAM it on. I have made some hideous mistakes though...

If make up is done well you can?t tell people are wearing it. Do you go round swiping people?s skin to check?! I answered the door to my neighbour this morning who did a double take. I asked her why and she said I looked different but she couldn?t put her finger on it, but she eventually decided I was less defined. I hadn?t put my make up on yet, told her so and she said she wouldn?t have believed I usually wear foundation and that my skin wasn?t naturally perfect. She thought I only ever wore a bit of mascara and lippy, mascara because it?s black but I?m fair haired and lippy cos it?s usually fairly noticeable!

I adore makeup because it?s fun and it rescued me when I DID have self-esteem issues. I certainly wouldn't presume to tell anyone else they had to wear it or that they were letting themselves down without it!

Is now the time to admit that DH has also been known to wear make-up? On an ?everyday? basis and not on stage/for a photoshoot. Or are we both shallow with self-esteem issues?

WoTmania · 09/02/2010 15:10

I don't usually. If I feel a little washed out I might put on a little (brown) mascara. But on the whole I don't need it. I'm pale with freckles and since having children have a very nice, clear complexion (if I do say so myself). Foundation brings me out in a rash. lipstick makes my lips itch/go lumpy
I'm 28 BTW so past the 20 yo sell by date .

wubblybubbly · 09/02/2010 15:15

A woman at work once told me I 'looked like a bit of a dog' without my make-up on I think she thought she was being funny?

My best mate has also mentioned on a few occasions that 'neither of us are blessed with natural beauty'

An ex boyfried also commented that I was 'all pretty again' after I put my make-up on.

So I'm under no illusion that I do benefit from a bit of a touch up but I still do go barefaced when I want to. If other people don't like it that's just tough.

MollyRoger · 09/02/2010 15:23

thank you tiger. That's because I wear make up !!!!

sarah293 · 09/02/2010 15:25

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2old4thislark · 09/02/2010 15:38

In my line of work yes age is considered to be problem in the men too! Old and doddery - won't get booked - that simple!

At least with hair dye and makeup I can keep up pretenses for a while....only got another 21 years on the mortgage to pay........

MadamDeathstare · 09/02/2010 18:24

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