Of the 100+ answers I've gifted upon the Guyspeak nation, no answer has gotten as much community quarreling, friction and emotional response as last week's makeup question. The simple question "do men actually notice if a woman has makeup on or not?" started a firestorm in the blogosphere, unparalleled since The Great Justin Beiber New Hair Cut Divide of... the same week.
Some women felt attacked, feeling that their use of makeup meant they were hiding their true selves, manipulating the dating playing field and/or being a straight out hoochie mama. Some guys chimed in to say they love their lady in makeup; they love their lady without makeup; they can't always tell the difference. Some women said they themselves love the natural look, but don't feel any disdain, judgment or threat by those who rock the cosmetic.
The one thing universally agreed upon was that the women with a face of caked on makeup bring themselves down and give a bad name to the entire cover up family.
I think what we also discovered is that while putting on makeup is a personal choice it is often applied for others - for work, for men, for societal norms, and the insecurity of being discovered as "flawed."
Who is more flawed, the person with a huge zit on their nose or a person who won't leave the house because of a huge zit on their nose?
That might be the bigger crux of the matter and what some people in the comment chain feel irritated by; the notion that women need to mask and doll up for the world. In this sense it's not makeup we are talking about, but war paint. Defending oneself against the slings and arrows of judgment.
My bottom line remains, if putting on eye shadow or lipstick makes YOU feel prettier, more appealing and gives you a pop in your mirror, then go for it. If it becomes a weapon of mass concealer then the issue is skin deeper and probably won't be solved in the aisles of Sephora or MAC.
In a Funny (Guy) turn of events, I singled out Kim Kardashian for being a 24/7-makeup hound in my initial post, only a few days later she made headlines for stepping out of her compound sans makeup.
In a week of revolutions in the Middle East and devastating earthquakes it's nice to know some journalists remain committed to bringing the public more important stories.
Well said! I had a roommate who was a slave to her makeup because she thought she looked like a monster without it. Which is not true at all.
And Kim doesn't look bad without makeup! Sheesh!
Thank you for this follow up. I think women need to do what they are comfortable with.
I personally have extremely dark hereditary eye circles. If I go sans make-up people are convinced I'm exhausted or have been punched in both eyes. Make-up allows me to go about my daily business without comments on my appearance. I keep the make-up light and try not to hide my natural beauty. Honestly, if it weren't for the circles I would wear little to no make-up at all. Make-up simply allows me to hide flaws that take away people's focus on my personality.
WELL SAID FUNNY GUY. I THOUGHT U WERE PRETTY CLEAR THE FIRST TIME AROUND AND DIDNT FEEL OFFENED AT ALL. I LOVE TO WEAR MAKE-UP BECAUSE I FEEL IT ENHANCES MY NATURAL BEAUTY. HOWEVER, I OFTEN (LIKE EVERY OTHER DAY) LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT MAKE-UP AND FEEL TOTALY FINE WITH OUT IT. HONESTLY, I DONT LIKE TO WEAR MAKE-UP ALL THE TIME BECAUSE ITS EASY FOR ME TO BECOME A SLAVE TO IT SINCE ITS A PRETTIER VERSION OF MYSELF. I HAVE SO MUCH MORE TO SAY BUT IM GONNA LEAVE IT AT THAT. OK 1 MORE THING... I HAVE A FRIEND WHO IS SO INSECURE ABOUT HERSELF THAT SHE WONT EVEN PEEK OUT THE WINDOW WITHOUT MAKE-UP...SAD HUH?
Bravissimo!
i want to look good au naturelle but be able to use it judiciously anyway. My option if I can find right Beautician Pernament make up!!
I normally tend to wear cover up for zits (red inflammed!), uneven redness, dark under eye circles, and pores that are too big. I just use mascara and eyeliner as my other stuff and some really cool new nivea lip balm.
I rarely use make-up to look pretty except for friends that need it or a very special event. i have tons, many different colors, but I prefer to use it or special occasions that I know applies my eyes usually. I'm an eye make up hoarder lol