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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:
HootOnTheBeach · 21/03/2015 20:29

Me sporadically. One day I will just forget or not bother and that will go on for several mondays/weeks until I start again. Wearing glasses 'helps' as I think I'm hiding. I've been banned from wearing contact lenses for work, which is where I spend most of my days. It's done wonders for my skin!

EBearhug · 21/03/2015 20:30

Ooh, I've got a cure for dry mouth right here. Special price, just £50 to you.

Yes, I know it looks just like a glass of water. There's a reason for that... The active ingredients are molecules containing hydrogen and oxygen.

HootOnTheBeach · 21/03/2015 20:35

err, that should be months, not Mondays.

YonicScrewdriver · 21/03/2015 20:40

Ooh, did it come from a tap in the Kitt Chenn, Ebear?

Or perhaps the Barre Throom?

perrita · 21/03/2015 20:45

I go with out make up most days. I actually really love wearing it, and if I'm going on a night out or doing something fun with DH I enjoy putting it on and wearing it. It's hard to say why I stopped wearing it, but have noticed a significant difference with how I am treated by people when I do wear it (at work for example, or by strangers I meet on days I have it on). More smiles, more helpful, more small talk, more people "see" me. I actually really hate just how much nicer people are to me and I find myself wearing it less and less because of it. I would never have thought there would be such a big difference in how people treated me, just because I look a bit prettier.

EBearhug · 21/03/2015 20:47

It might have, Yonic. You needn't think I'm cutting you in on my profits, though.

RudyMentary · 21/03/2015 20:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

thatstoast · 21/03/2015 20:55

I saw an advert for this earlier, made me think of this thread:

www.clinique.co.uk/sonicbrush

It's like another language to me.

If we're wondering why this is in the Feminism section maybe it'd be interesting if OP reposted in AIBU, Chat or S&B and see what the responses are there. Not that I want the OP to spam everyone but I think they'd be very different.

I have a friend who can't go outside without putting make up on. I persuaded her to do it once, she wanted to pop to the shop across the road so I told her she should just go as she was. She was gone for 5 minutes and when she came back she admitted that she'd apologised about her appearance to the shop worker. I think when women feel under that much pressure to conform to a certain type of appearance, we can't really say it's not a feminist issue.

StillLostAtTheStation · 21/03/2015 20:58

Unless you are young and exceptionally beautiful everyone looks better with make up.

I used to wear lots of heavy , dark eye make up a là Dusty Springfield or Chrissie Hynd but now in the day just foundation and light lipstick.

I always wear eye-shadow and a darker lipstick if I'm going out and light false eyelashes (not dead insects have crawled on to my face Adele style) as I have lost most of eyelashes.

I get my hair cut and roots done every 5 weeks. It's worth it as it's so well cut I don't need to blow dry it, just wash it and brush it into what it's meant to be.

If this means I fail as a feminist, then I don't care. If it is the "patriarchy" telling me to wear make up the "sisterhood" telling me not to is no better.

FatCunt · 21/03/2015 21:00

Unless you are young and exceptionally beautiful everyone looks better with make up.

You haven't seen how I apply make-up.

RudyMentary · 21/03/2015 21:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

almondcakes · 21/03/2015 21:03

I don't think anybody particularly cares what I look like.

Jackieharris · 21/03/2015 21:04

There are some feminists who don't think you are a real feminist if you wear make up so I'd say it is a feminist issue!

I don't wear mu day to day but enjoy the process of putting it on for special occasions. I find the ritual quite soothing. For certain occasions it makes me feel more 'groomed', just like hair washing or showering do for other women I suppose.

I wouldn't want to give it up completely. I think I'd actually wear it more often if it wasn't so expensive (my foundation cost £30+). DP doesn't like me wearing it, he says he prefers me 'au natural'. So I don't really feel like it's patriarchal pressure that makes me want to wear it. I suppose it's like dressing up? I can look quite different if I go the whole hog.

I have a friend (lesbian if that's relevant) who absolutely won't leave the house without a full face on and hair washed and blow dried. It takes hours out of her day every day. I'd hate to be like that.

GwenaelleLaGourmande · 21/03/2015 21:07

I wear make up about once a year at most. Tbh it wasn't for feminist reasons that I decided not to wear it. I am just not a morning person, and the thought of getting up 20 minutes earlier and losing out on that lovely sleep is terrifying. My other reason was just not wanting more chemicals on my face.

I live in France, and worked in Paris where people did occasionally comment, but that is OK. No-one comments now.

I don't like the feel of it on my face, and when I do wear it I wear a bit of lipstick and some mascara. But even that makes me feel uncomfortable.

bodingading · 21/03/2015 21:08

Well, I'm glad you're happy! Personally I am happier looking like Granny Weatherwax and having a really brilliant Macbook Pro (dual graphics cards for CUDA acceleration, whoo!).

Hurray for choices. But I don't think everyone is making free choices. And I think this because they tell me they aren't free to choose. Listening to other women and discussing this stuff isn't an attack. And I do think it is better than the patriarchy, actually! Loads better. I think it's brilliant. (This opinion is also not an attack on you. It's a celebration of you, a bit even.)

bodingading · 21/03/2015 21:09

Er, to Still, sorry, that was. xpost

StillLostAtTheStation · 21/03/2015 21:10

I said "everyone" because of the intrusive photographs of actors who are held up as beauties but without makeup look very, very ordinary.

The orange ladies on the department store counters won't cut it but I'm sure the Hollywood beauticians can work wonders.

Micah · 21/03/2015 21:12

Everyone looks better with makeup

No, everyone looks more like the current societal norm as to what looks "better". It's subjective. I happen to think most women look better without make up, and definitely without fake tan.

Back in another century anyone with a tan would have been seen as common and unpolished. Pale was refined and beautiful.

I also happen to like a bloke in eyeliner, would your sweeping statement include both/all genders?

ghostspirit · 21/03/2015 21:13

i dont own any make up at all. not worn it for about 18 years. my daughter wanted to put her make up on me the other day. felt like my face was weight lifting. anyway i dont like it i feel suficated.

popalot · 21/03/2015 21:13

Isn't it women encouraging women to wear makeup, not the patriarchy? Some women are quite artistic and enjoy putting it on. I don't, but that's because I'm not so bothered about it. But I wouldn't say a woman who wore makeup was subjugated in any way. They're just expressing their creativity, aren't they?

tribpot · 21/03/2015 21:13

Yes, I don't think anyone on the thread has said "you should not wear make up", only "you should not feel you have to wear make up". It's your face, put whatever you want on it. The OP stated "I'm getting fed up with the time, cost, effort and most of all the reasons why I wear make up."

StillLostAtTheStation · 21/03/2015 21:15

She wonders if the pressure is societal (answer: yes)

And there was me just looking in the mirror and thinking, yes with false eyelashes my eyes do look prettier.

I'm 55 . You know apart from me I doubt if anyone else even notices or cares. It makes me feel good.

thatstoast · 21/03/2015 21:15

The same as apologising for going to the shop with food spilt down your top or in your slippers.

I wouldn't apologise for that so maybe I'm not best positioned to comment. I'm practically shameless. Grin

My point is, I don't really care if people want to wear make up. However, if someone, and I'm sure my friend isn't the only one, can't leave the house for 5 minutes without spending 20 minutes putting make up on then that's a worry. I don't think that pressure is completely internal. And it's a pressure that effects women more than men which is why I view it as a feminist issue.

Micah · 21/03/2015 21:15

X-posted :)

Still, Hollywood beauties in photographs owe far more to the magic of photoshop than make up...

slightlyglitterstained · 21/03/2015 21:21

I'd imagine photoshopping contributes too, StillLost.