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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

Going 'no makeup'

330 replies

LadyBlaBlah · 21/03/2015 13:43

I know it's trivial and as feminists must think only of FGM however I'm getting fed up with the time, cost, effort and most of all the reasons why I wear make up.

I've been wearing it blindly since about aged 14 so it will weirdly be a big change, and my small act of rebellion against the p.

Anyone else a no makeup person?

OP posts:
bodingading · 21/03/2015 18:04

I guess that some people use it because they have dry skin and others because of THE PATRIARCHY. Grin I won't make a guess as to percentages. No idea tbh.

Anyway, just think of all the money. Every few years, you could go on holiday instead!

Or just get really really drunk with your mates. Or go out for a fabulous meal. Or buy an iPad, or a dear little bicycle with a basket, or a huge collection of sex toys...

JeanneDeMontbaston · 21/03/2015 18:06

I do like a man in eyeliner, SGB.

SwedishEdith · 21/03/2015 18:10

everyone looks better and younger without it, anyway. - well, that's clearly just a matter of opinion.

OP - loads of women never wear make-up - I'd say 50% of the females I work with don't. And the more senior they are, the more likely it is that they don't wear any (which might be interesting?). No-one makes any comments at all about it so I wouldn't worry about that.

avocadotoast · 21/03/2015 18:12

I do use moisturiser, just because I think my skin feels nicer with it. I don't use expensive stuff though - I take my makeup off with coconut oil so that moisturises on a night, and then I use a cheapy one on a morning. I've never understood spending too much money on moisturiser!

whodrankmycoffee · 21/03/2015 18:16

I wear makeup and I moisturise every day. Not full face makeup up but eyeliner and mascara. I think I look more together and I like how I look with it. I don't think it has anything to do with feminism at such. I shower, I moisturise and I put on my makeup then I put on my clothes.

I moisturise because I have dry skin and even where my skin is not dry I still put it on because I like feeling soft. I wear makeup because I look better with it on. As a teenager I had awful acne and couldn't wear makeup ... Think awful allergies. Now I can so I do. It takes me five minutes.

I put make up in the same bucket as dying your hair, curling it or straightening it or choosing to wear certain colours it's just a manifestation of personality. Do as much or as little as you like no one cares.

SenecaFalls · 21/03/2015 18:17

Grin at Lean-in mascara (from the video)

I don't wear it on a daily basis, but I do sometimes wear light make-up for a presentation or meeting at work. I also always wear a moisturizer with sunscreen because I live in melanoma central.

I never wear high heels (truly the torture of the patriarchy) but admit to liking a bit of color on my toes and fingers.

Notrevealingmyidentity · 21/03/2015 18:18

Often since I started working in a male dominated industry I find I cannot be arsed. Mainly I think due to getting up earlier than I did before.

I noticed though recently on a girls holiday I didn't bother on a few occasions when the women I was with did. I think I would have in the past which I find interesting.

I do still often wear it. When I do wear it I find I wear quite a lot as well.

KittensOnAPlane · 21/03/2015 18:21

I don't wear a lot and once was looking for some foundation at a make up counter and the lady asked what coverage I wanted, "I don't want to look like you...!"

I like a bit of eyeliner, and a long stay lippy

Joyfulldeathsquad · 21/03/2015 18:22

I don't if I'm pottering around in the house but I need to if I go out as I would scare children. Grin

I have really blotchy skin and quite self conscious about it but I've just bought a new moisturiser thing and it's not to bad at the moment.

I have blond eye lashes so they look weird it I don't put a bit of mascara on.

INickedAName · 21/03/2015 18:23

I have a massive make up collection, eye shadows, blushers and lipsticks galore. I hardly ever wear it though. Mostly interviews or nights out. Every now and then I think I'll intend to make an effort but the extra time in bed is more important to me than looking groomed. The times I do wear it is because I feel like I should,like nights out and stuff.
I feel uncomfortable being done up so to speak, and prefer the no make up make up look, last time I made a big effort was my brothers wedding a few years ago and almost everyone commented on my appearance, with a few saying I'd be married by now if I put that effort in regularly, I felt awkward and didn't like the compliments (I don't mean that to be as vain as it sounds) but couldn't pin point why, I actually felt guilty for being mad inside about it.

SenecaFalls · 21/03/2015 18:26

I color my hair. I have a lot of gray. I don't do it for vanity; sadly I have to admit that I do it to blunt the effects of ageism.

RudyMentary · 21/03/2015 18:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JeanneDeMontbaston · 21/03/2015 18:34

Why shouldn't it be in feminism? Confused

Isn't the point that she's thinking about it from a feminist point of view?

tribpot · 21/03/2015 18:34

a few saying I'd be married by now if I put that effort in regularly

Jesus. That is the worst backhanded-compliment I have ever heard. So perhaps if you'd worn even more make up you could aspire to something actually worthwhile? Like running your own company or saving lives? Or do you need to wear less make up for that? Or is, in fact, make up completely irrelevant to success in professional and personal spheres and marriage not something to aspire to in any case?

I wouldn't have felt guilty about being mad inside, I would have laughed in their ignorant faces.

tribpot · 21/03/2015 18:36

Why is this in Feminism?

Because the OP is no longer comfortable with the amount of make up she wears but still feels compelled to wear it. She wonders if the pressure is societal (answer: yes) and how others have found it when they have made other choices.

SenecaFalls · 21/03/2015 18:37

a few saying I'd be married by now if I put that effort in regularly

This is a good reason for it to be in feminism.

RudyMentary · 21/03/2015 18:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Micah · 21/03/2015 18:41

I don't wear make up, ever. As far as I know I don't frighten small children...

i don't see the point? As I age I actually think I look worse with make up.

When I was younger I used to wear it, but not in the conventional sense. I used to like playing around with it-dark purple lipstick, or glittery eyeshadow, more for fun than any attempt to make myself pretty.

PacificDogwood · 21/03/2015 19:36

I don't think that the amount of make-up a woman wear makes her or doesn't make her a feminist Hmm

I do think that the fact that in general the society we live in expects women to alter their appearance and men less so IS a feminist ishoo Grin

JeanneDeMontbaston · 21/03/2015 19:37

Why not ask the OP what she is, rudy? It feels odd talking about her in the third person on her own thread.

SenecaFalls · 21/03/2015 19:47

Further to Pacific's point, check out the length of directions to boys in this dress code versus the length of instructions to girls.

www.reviewjournal.com/trending/feed/iowa-high-school-students-think-assembly-dress-code-sexist

bodingading · 21/03/2015 19:55

Oh nothing changes does it. My gran used to say (for Catholic church dress code for women)

(cover your) head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes
(cover your) head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes,
your eyes are down, your mouth is closed
and don't for god's sake pick your nose (pick your nose).

ChunkyPickle · 21/03/2015 19:59

A couple of years ago an advert on US TV for a mouthwash to prevent dry mouth (pitched at everyone, not a medical product) tipped me over the edge and I stopped buying all the skin and hair stuff - and my skin hasn't changed a jot. If anything, it's more consistent now that I'm not cleansing toning and moisturising. I just give my face a rub with a wet flannel in the shower.

When I lived in soft water I went the whole hog and was shampoo free too(used bicarb instead) but that doesn't work well in my really hard water area so I just wash it once a week (down from every day - twice if going out!) and again, after an adjustment period my hair is definitely better for it.

YonicScrewdriver · 21/03/2015 20:18

There was an FWR thread about the mKeupfree selfie thing, Rudy. Make up and appearance are feminist issues, yup.

catnipkitty · 21/03/2015 20:23

I don't wear make up, have tried it every so often and hate the feel of it on my skin and I always feel faintly ridiculous wearing it. The few bits of make up I own are about 20 years old!