Why the everyday make-up?

newcook

Tina20 wrote: »

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.

I dont think they have low self esteem at all!! women wear make-up because they like many things about it - it could be the colours, it could be the feel it gives them, it could even be that they like the way it covers up a certain blemish.

as person_one pointed out, make-up has been around for a very long time - even before actual writing and people used to draw pictures! media cannot be held responsible for this so-called 'pressure' to wear make up - its worn from choice.

Person_one

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

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?

Who's judging? You're getting defensive when you aren't being attacked.

There's a phrase we feminists are rather fond of, 'The patriarchy hurts men too'. Yes, men come under a whole different set of pressure in our society and they are very damaging, men are more likely to commit suicide, they aren't expected to show weakness, if they happen to be gay there's a whole world of problems for them to face.

However, this is a thread about makeup, which men don't come under pressure to wear.

There's no denying that appearance is much less important if you're a man. Being unattractive isn't a barrier to success and acceptance the way it is for women, particularly in jobs that put you in the public eye.

thatgirlsam

I choose to wear make up, I like it!

I put some on even when I know I'm not going out and no-one is going to see me! I do think it's for me.. as I might catch sight of myself in the mirror and I like pretty things! Not saying I'm super pretty or anything, that sounded really big headed!

I like wearing nice clothes aswell, I suppose any old thing would do the job but I like to wear stuff that I find attractive. Doesn't have to be smart or anything, but a nice colour for example
Just like I enjoy having beautiful or pretty things in my house and garden really, isn't it?

I just like frippery anyway

Tina20

I'm not going to bother quoting, so I will say to everyone who replied to my comment:

Did you read my disclaimer? I think not

There is absolutely no need to get angry and defensive about it. I'm not angry or defensive, why are you? Is it because you are so so so happy with yourself that you get really enraged at the thought of anyone slagging off a beauty product? (makes total sense...not)
You are all just proving my point

Religiously-makeup wearing people: angry and defensive
Person not enslaved by their looks: calm and rational.


Disclaimer: once again, the above is my opinion. If you don't like it, you can easily ignore it. No need to raise your own blood pressure ladies

claire16c

Tina20 wrote: »

Brushing your teeth is necessary to your health, but makeup is simply cosmetic... I'm interested as to why you would consider your makeup as important as your health? Genuinely interested, it's an alien concept to me.

I wouldnt go out the house without make up on. But Ive left the house before on the very odd occasion where Ive forgotten to brush my teeth, so Ill chew some gum or something if I dont have time to go back.

For me make up is not just a cosmetic thing I like to do for fun. I do not want anyone to see my skin without it. I look much better with it on. I could leave the house without say eyemake up, because for me, thats just to enhance and I can live without it. But not foundation etc.

Just as Im sure you wouldnt go outside without your top/trousers on. Or unbrushed birds nest hair, or whatever makes you personally look bad that you wouldnt want other people to see.

euronorris wrote: »

It's not an argument. It's a reason. I'd rather spend that time in bed, than applying make up. It does make a difference to me. If it doesn't to you, and you'd prefer to spend that time applying make up, then great. That's your choice.

I don't know how you ladies manage to apply make up in 5 minutes anyway. It takes me about 20 minutes to apply mine, and I don't use lots. I'm just not that good at (for example) applying eyeliner in one smooth motion. Never have been, even when I used to wear make up more often in my late teens/early 20's.

But that time wouldnt be spent in bed though. So its not a reason. I dont think 'Oh I need to get up at x time to put make up on.'

I just do it at some point between getting up and leaving the house. Same as brushing my hair, eating breakfast, getting dressed etc. Which I can do in 30 mins to one hour depending how lazy I am feeling/how late I got up!

Id take about 2 mins for foundation, another 2 for concealer/powder/blusher. And then 1-2 for eyeshadow and mascara. I cant see what you'd really be doing in 20mins?

I dont use eyeliner, I use eyeshadow to make a liner as Im blonde so big thick eyeliner just looks weird on me.

rachbc

Tina20 wrote: »

Religiously-makeup wearing people: angry and defensive
Person not enslaved by their looks: calm and rational.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Possibly one of the funniest things i have ever read.

Not to mention the fact that your highly emotive language such as 'religiously' enslaved' makes you look anything but calm and rational. :cool:

thatgirlsam

rachbc wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Possibly one of the funniest things i have ever read.

Not to mention the fact that your highly emotive language such as 'religiously' enslaved' makes you look anything but calm and rational. :cool:

I have to agree!

If anyone is coming across as aggressive and bothered about the whole thing it is Tina20

claire16c

euronorris wrote: »

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.

The best way I can describe make up for me would be a form of 5 min cosmetic surgery every day then.

So lets say instead of you having an operation, there was some kind of 'make up' that would pin your ears back every day and only took a couple of mins. Then perhaps you would be doing that rather than having had to have gone through an operation because you didnt like that particular part of yourself.

And that could apply to anyone who has had something like that done.

Well there isnt something that is a quick fix for my skin. So I put on make up. There isnt another option to fix it.

Life is too short to spend it hating how you look, if you can do something about it and want to change it.

thatgirlsam

I'd rather wear make up than have invasive surgery anyday!

Tiddlywinks

Tina20 wrote: »

There is absolutely no need to get angry and defensive about it. I'm not angry or defensive, why are you? Is it because you are so so so happy with yourself that you get really enraged at the thought of anyone slagging off a beauty product? (makes total sense...not)
You are all just proving my point

Eh, no - it annoys (not enrages) me that you have lumped all users of makeup together into a group and absolutely insist that the group is deluded and weak-willed.

As a member of that group, I am not defending beauty products, more challenging your perceptions of those of us that use them.

Your smug approach to those challenges just demonstrates your mis-understanding of our responses.

Tina20 wrote: »

Religiously-makeup wearing people: angry and defensive
Person not enslaved by their looks: calm and rational.

Make-up wearing individuals - want you to accept that they have free-will and are not idiots slavishly following the instructions of the advertisers.

You are the one who keeps having a dig - I would still like to know why it pains you so much that others exercise their right to use a perfectly legal substance.