Why the everyday make-up?

spugzbunny

I am a professional in a male dominated environment (Oil and Gas Engineering), I am not young but not old yet (30), I don't think I'm Ugly but nor am I blessed with flawless skin.

I wear make up because I enjoy it and I look good with it on. I don't feel under any pressure to wear it but it is something I enjoy.

Some people spend their money on little pig figurines. I spend mine on lipstick and makeup.

Person_one

tea_lover wrote: »

Or maybe, some people just like different things to you.

I don't understand the point in denying that there are external influences that lead to people wanting to wear makeup.

We live in a world where a woman's worth is, a lot of the time, based on how she looks so its completely understandable that a lot of women use enhancements to look a bit better.

We're told from a very very young age that prettier is better, look at fairy tales and disney films, the heroine is almost always beautiful and the baddies ugly. Look at popular culture, how many unattractive or even average looking women ever become superstars?

Its ok to be affected by that, I've actually had plastic surgery in order to make my passage through this life a bit less unpleasant and to avoid the nastiness from other people that being unattractive brings. I wish we lived in a world where our appearance wasn't so important, but we do. Denying it and claiming that things like makeup are entirely 100% free choice and only done because we personally enjoy it doesn't really help.

balletshoes

Person_one wrote: »

I don't understand the point in denying that there are external influences that lead to people wanting to wear makeup.

We live in a world where a woman's worth is, a lot of the time, based on how she looks so its completely understandable that a lot of women use enhancements to look a bit better.

We're told from a very very young age that prettier is better, look at fairy tales and disney films, the heroine is almost always beautiful and the baddies ugly. Look at popular culture, how many unattractive or even average looking women ever become superstars?

Its ok to be affected by that, I've actually had plastic surgery in order to make my passage through this life a bit less unpleasant and to avoid the nastiness from other people that being unattractive brings. I wish we lived in a world where our appearance wasn't so important, but we do. Denying it and claiming that things like makeup are entirely 100% free choice and only done because we personally enjoy it doesn't really help.

I've already said, I don't, and never have, worn make-up to work. So when and if I do wear make-up, it is my free choice. Who else's choice is it if its not mine, and I please myself when and if I wear it?

I don't disagree, and its been borne out by posts on this thread, that there can be external influences/pressures on appearance and enhancing it. But I disagree that its always external pressure/influence which makes anyone choose to wear make-up.

tea_lover

Person_one wrote: »

Denying it and claiming that things like makeup are entirely 100% free choice and only done because we personally enjoy it doesn't really help.

Well that's where we'll have to respectfully agree to disagree. For me, what really doesn't help is the comments (not from yourself I realise) that people who do choose to wear make-up are "vulnerable women they have convinced look ugly without it".

FatVonD

thehappybutterfly wrote: »

No exaggeration. In year 8 or 9, a girl once said to me "you're pure ugly (insert name). You'll never get a boyfriend". All this did was confirm what I already knew. 30 years later, I'm still driven by this statement

Hence the daily make up.

The saddest thing about this is that she was probably threatened by you, if you were truly ugly she'd have had no need to say it Whenever you see young teenage girls that have committed suicide due to bullying they're always the most attractive ones.

Be kind to yourself and don't let it define you

Person_one

balletshoes wrote: »

I've already said, I don't, and never have, worn make-up to work. So when and if I do wear make-up, it is my free choice. Who else's choice is it if its not mine, and I please myself when and if I wear it?

I don't disagree, and its been borne out by posts on this thread, that there can be external influences/pressures on appearance and enhancing it. But I disagree that its always external pressure/influence which makes anyone choose to wear make-up.

If appearance wasn't important and attractiveness wasn't highly valued, makeup wouldn't exist at all, our own faces would suffice.

I'm not saying you cease to be your own person when you put a bit of concealer on, I wear makeup myself on special occasions and nights out, but I don't understand why women want to deny the fact that we come under pressure to look good, more so at certain times than at others. Nobody bats an eyelid if I don't wear makeup for work, but like Welshwoofs, if I went to a wedding without any on I'm absolutely positive people would be surprised and wonder why.

Tiddlywinks

Person_one wrote: »

We live in a world where a woman's worth is, a lot of the time, based on how she looks so its completely understandable that a lot of women use enhancements to look a bit better.

We're told from a very very young age that prettier is better, look at fairy tales and disney films, the heroine is almost always beautiful and the baddies ugly. Look at popular culture, how many unattractive or even average looking women ever become superstars?

Prejudice does not just apply to women - men are judged by their height, hairline, waistline, job, bank balance etc as well. Remember Prince Charming or the old phrase 'tall, dark and handsome'?

Most societies have developed characteristics that are seen as more 'valuable' - unfortunately, that is the way it is. Yes, we can try to swim against the tide but, realistically, change happens very slowly.

Compliance should not be seen as undesirable (nor should non compliance as long as that act is legal and not to the detriment of the 'masses').

What I have objected to on this thread is the inference that all those that wear makeup are impressionable souls who are not in full control of their lives - now that's insulting!

balletshoes

Person_one wrote: »

If appearance wasn't important and attractiveness wasn't highly valued, makeup wouldn't exist at all, our own faces would suffice.

I'm not saying you cease to be your own person when you put a bit of concealer on, I wear makeup myself on special occasions and nights out, but I don't understand why women want to deny the fact that we come under pressure to look good, more so at certain times than at others. Nobody bats an eyelid if I don't wear makeup for work, but like Welshwoofs, if I went to a wedding without any on I'm absolutely positive people would be surprised and wonder why.

Would that in any way bother you though? Because I think thats more important than what other people think to be honest. My Mum for example, has never worn any make-up, ever, including at her own wedding and any other events she's been to throughout her life.

Person_one

balletshoes wrote: »

Would that in any way bother you though? Because I think thats more important than what other people think to be honest. My Mum for example, has never worn any make-up, ever, including at her own wedding and any other events she's been to throughout her life.

I'm not immune, I do wear makeup at occasions where I would feel self conscious without it such as weddings and parties and so on.

I also shave my legs and underarms if they're going to be on display even though I really don't think I should have to and I don't bother approximately nine months out of the year, but I'm not confident enough to brave the stares and the laughs and the disgusted sounds from strangers if I don't.

balletshoes

Person_one wrote: »

I'm not immune, I do wear makeup at occasions where I would feel self conscious without it such as weddings and parties and so on.

I also shave my legs and underarms if they're going to be on display even though I really don't think I should have to and I don't bother approximately nine months out of the year, but I'm not confident enough to brave the stares and the laughs and the disgusted sounds from strangers if I don't.

this is starting to become a little like a 2-way conversation, but it really interests me . Where are you when you get stares, laughs and disgusted sounds from strangers for not de-fuzzing?