Why the everyday make-up?

Tina20

My issue is not with the ladies that wear it, but the source of the feelings that lead them to wear it.

Some ladies may say they wear it cause they want to, or it's fun (much in the same way some smokers will be adamant they aren't addicted, they just 'like' smoking)
Some ladies are saying they genuinely feel worse without it, have low self esteem or just don't feel right in their own skin.

That's what worries me. If companies have the power to instill low self esteem to sell their product, where will they stop? Will there be as many adverts for facelifts in the future as there are makeup ads? Will the phrase be 'I just don't feel human without my facelift' 'I couldn't face the world without my nice new boobs'
People who stubbornly say they actually like having to wear makeup are just proof how deep the advertising goes, that is actually changes our way of thinking.

Disclaimer: the above is my opinion only, if it differs with your opinion that does not make it a personal attack. Tina20 does not endorse any products or services mentioned above. Do not try this at home. God save the queen.

euronorris

Marketing plays it's part, but so too, does society. As well as an individual's personality in general (some people will always be more suceptible to marketing, nasty comments, more prone to judging themselves harshly etc etc. It's just who they are). And the media.

Does marketing play it's part? Yes. Is it the only factor, or entirely to blame? No.

Tiddlywinks

Tina20 wrote: »

My issue is not with the ladies that wear it, but the source of the feelings that lead them to wear it.
........

People who stubbornly say they actually like having to wear makeup are just proof how deep the advertising goes, that is actually changes our way of thinking.

Here we go again..... what's with the anti-corporate crusade?

I wear makeup and NOT because an advertiser has told me to - just accept that I am NOT deluded, do not have deep-rooted issues and, frankly, I'm fed up with you continuing to insist that you absolutely know everything there is to know about the sad souls that feel forced to submit to the evil advertising industry.

We are all products of our upbringing, experiences and culture - that's a given.

Why do we wear jeans? Advertising or because they serve a purpose for casual wear?

Why do we eat apples instead of sweets? Advertising concerning healthy eating or because we prefer the taste?

Just accept that others have their reasons... and they may not fit with your Mickey Mouse grasp of psychology and marketing.

Person_one

I think Tina gives the marketers a bit too much credit. Yes they try to influence us to buy certain products or brands (BB creams anyody? Where were they two years ago and now its mentioned about three times every ad break!) but the idea that women have a duty to look attractive and should be going to great lengths to is older than advertising.

In WW2 the women drawing fake stocking seams down their legs, the Elizabethans painting their faces white, the Japanese Geishas with elaborate hair and bright red lips and the ancient Egyptians rubbing dead beetles on themselves weren't influenced by advertising.

Its just a shame that even though the products have got more sophisticated, our ideas about women's role in society hasn't changed as much as we might hope.

Bogof_Babe

onlyroz wrote: »

Even if all you're doing that day is nipping into the local shop for a pint of milk?

Definitely! This is the same poster who doesn't sign for a parcel without my eyebrows on!

As for advertising - I rarely watch TV, and even more rarely the commercial channels. I don't buy or read magazines except in the hairdresser's where I favour the "improve your home" ones. If there are cosmetic ads in newspapers I've never noticed them.

My mum always wore make-up (she was a beautiful lady with or without it, but definitely more "glamorous" with it), and like most little girls I grew up thinking it's what grown-up ladies do.

I inherited my dad's broken veins, which have become more pronounced as I have got older. Until I was about 30 I only put a dab of concealer on any obvious blemishes, and didn't have to worry about eyebrows, so you could say I didn't wear make-up then. It has gradually increased as I've turned from "young" to "middle aged" and am now in the "newly retired" age bracket, where frankly I think women who choose not to wear any make-up at all do look as if they can't be bothered with themselves. But that's just my opinion, others might think they look fresh-faced. I think they are deluding themselves that they don't need to wear it.

Person_one, you were very anti- the "make-up makes me feel better about myself" posts at the start of this thread, but later told us you have had surgery yourself, of a nature which could be taken as being purely for vanity reasons. Do you not see the contradiction there?

Tiddlywinks

Person_one wrote: »

Its just a shame that even though the products have got more sophisticated, our ideas about women's role in society hasn't changed as much as we might hope.

But men feel gender related pressures as well...

I have worked on and off in primarily male dominated areas for over 25 years and can tell you that they feel the weight of expectation on them as well.

As a whole, society still pressures them to be:

- the main breadwinners

- to be strong and protect their families

- to fit a certain view of masculinity - tall, broad shoulder, muscular build etc

The reality is that short men of slight build with receding hairlines and 'goofy' looks and acne may receive a raw deal when compared with guys that look traditionally more 'handsome' as our culture has certain attributes that it says we should 'value' more.

This 'values' are fluid, hairy chests are making a comeback as is facial hair for instance. The recession has made it more 'acceptable' for roles to be reversed and men to stay at home whilst the woman works.

Our external environment, family culture / values and life experiences all influence our lives and how we live... as does how our mental capacity / fragility drives how much we are impacted by negative influences.

Whatever the reasons for wearing (or not wearing) makeup, can't we just accept that one size doesn't fit all and just stop the judgements?

euronorris

I think how your Mum is with make up certainly plays it's part too. My Mum has never had much interest in make up either, and I think she only owns lipstick and eyeshadow and that's it. That only gets worn for weddings and such like.

Whereas, a close friend of mine's step mum (who was the only female figure in her life) is very much into her appearance, and wears make up every day. As does my friend. For a while, she wore far too much (IMO), but has since toned it down.

I've also had a form of cosmetic surgery - having my ears pinned back. Had that done at age 12/13. To be honest, they never bothered me at all until I reached secondary school. I didn't really think about them either way, but after a year of constant bullying for them (from both girls and boys), I'd had enough and hated them. That was definitely not about marketing - that was about peer pressure for sure.

duchy

KateLiana27 wrote: »

Doesn't bother me what other people do or do not have on their face. As long as they feel comfortable, live and let live.

Personally, I like a bit of natural make-up and do wear it every day, unless I'm working nights or travelling. I look a bit better with it on, so why not?

I do disagree with jobs that mandate women to wear make-up. Do air hostesses still have to? It should be personal choice.

It is a personal choice -If you don't want to wear make up you don't apply for jobs that require it. No different to not applying for jobs where you can't wear jeans if you can't bear not to wear your trusty 501s all the time

duchy

Tina20 wrote: »

That's what worries me. If companies have the power to instill low self esteem to sell their product, where will they stop? Will there be as many adverts for facelifts in the future as there are makeup ads? Will the phrase be 'I just don't feel human without my facelift' 'I couldn't face the world without my nice new boobs'
People who stubbornly say they actually like having to wear makeup are just proof how deep the advertising goes, that is actually changes our way of thinking.

.

Eh ?

What utter rubbish -Sorry Tina but your understanding of why people suffer from lack of self esteem is flawed to say the least ! Working from the starting point that all women wear make up for one reason -to please is flawed too.

MrsE_2

Tina20 wrote: »

People who stubbornly say they actually like having to wear makeup are just proof how deep the.

Modern make-up is actually good for your skin. Foundations contain ingrediants that benefit your skin, most concealers contain stuff to heal spots, many mascaras contain contain conditioners & my lips get dry & sore without lipstick because of all the moisturising balms it contains.I enjoy putting my make-up on. I get up 2 hours before I leave for work (5am), so I have plenty of time for shower, hair & make-up.