A few minutes ago a really rude man in the coffee shop downstairs from my office commented behind my back (after I walked by), "Looks like she chose not to wear any make-up today, haw haw...."

Instead of allowing myself to get upset, I thought I'd throw this one out to you ladies and see where I stand on this. Am I the only one out there who never wears make up? As in never ever?

That jerk who tried to insult me failed. I only ended up posting about it. I consider that productive. Nuts to him

(FYI - Guys, please feel free to post your comments here. I would prefer you not answer my poll for fear it will skew it too much. Thanks )

I almost never wear make-up during the work week, because I don't like to get up early in order to put it on. Additionally, wearing make-up all of the time is just not good for your skin. I do wear make-up when I go out in the evenings, but I would NEVER criticize someone for not wearing make-up.

I wear makeup only as a concealer for the occasional blemish. But besides that, I would only wear makeup for a special occasion or (like cyan said) if I'm going out in the evenings; and even then I try an use as natural shades as I can. I never wear mascara or any type of eye makeup for that matter; it is too hard to put on and I think it makes me look cheap. I find the older the man the more they feel that a woman should wear makeup at all times if they are going in public. The guy I'm currently dating (who is 23) has actually said to me that he actually prefers woman that don't wear makeup. Where as I have heard, a few times, rude comments like the one that Jaime heard but all of these comments have been from 40+ year old men. I wonder how this change in opinion between generations of men has occurred; or if my observation is incorrect about men's preferences?

-Kisov

As a 40+ male, I must say that I've never been particularly keen on make-up. I remember young women in my high school class actually taking make-up instruction in Home Ec. By the time I got to college, though, most of my female friends were burning their bras - along with their make-up kits.

Women in make-up is something I've never quite understood. For a start, it's unnatural - in fact, way more unnatural than, say, homosexualtiy. In NATURE, it is the male which tends to be the more "colorful".

Discussions of make-up always remind me of "My Conviction" from the musical Hair, the lyrics of which I reproduce below for your viewing pleasure...

You know kids, I wish every mom
and dad would make a speech to their
teenagers and say kids, be free,
be whatever you are, do whatever you
want to do, just so long as you don't hurt anybody.
And remember kids,
I am your friend.

I would just like to say that it is my conviction
That longer hair and other flamboyant affectations
Of appearance are nothing more
Than the male's emergence from his drab camoflage
Into the gaudy plumage
Which is the birthright of his sex

There is a peculiar notion that elegant plumage
And fine feathers are not proper for the male
When aaaaactually
That is the way things are
In most species




I did not, btw, vote in the poll.

I like it when a woman wears makeup but you don't KNOW she's wearing makeup (until you see her without her makeup). The point is, you don't want a woman to go around looking like a whore. I've always thought it's kind of a scam that women have to do all the things they do--wear make up, wear bras, etc.--which is why I don't complain when my wife spends money on make up and lotions and such. By the same token, however, women have all sorts of options re: how good they can look. If my wife wants to look REALLY good (as opposed to her usual very good) she can, whereas I'm stuck with pretty much three looks--crappy, regular and good.

What was this about again?

I wear make-up to work and when I got out in the evening. If I am staying at home I don't. I used to wear a lot of make-up but that was the style back then. I have brown eyes so I wear a really light tan/brown eyeshadow. Mascara and lipstick. I don't wear foundation on my face it tends to look fake on me. I don't wear eyeliner either. It causes me to get styes. I am an older woman and I work with mostly young women in their early 20's. Most of them don't wear make-up and I think they are just beautiful with their natural look. As for that guy who made a comment about you Jaime, I think you were right in ignoring him. He is a jerk. I think I would have probably said something looks like someone forgot to bring his manners with him today. Ha Ha Ha!!

I tracked this guy down, and forced him to put on makeup.

Really though, if a woman wants to wear makup, it is entirely her choice. You could paint yourself up like a clown, or not wear any at all, and it's fine by me (although, too much makeup can be rather funny).

Along the same lines, I hate perfume. Sure, I guess in very small amounts it could be ok, but when I can smell you from across the store, there's a problem. How much do you have to stink to drench yourself with that much perfume? Of course this applies to men, too, as they often seem to replace showering with cologne.

Just imagine if men wore makeup all the time!

Mike

Mike I agree. There is nothing worse than someone wearing too much cologne or perfume. I do wear purfume but very little when I wear it. Those people who take a "bath" in it is horrible. It makes me sneeze makes my eyes water and makes me cough. I don't know how they can wear that much and not be bothered by it.

I don't wear makeup except for a dab of lipstick. I do that mostly to keep my lips from getting dry - I live in a dry part of the country.

However, when I was dancing (professional ballet dancer) of course I wore heavy makeup for the stage. I remember dancing one evening and then having to rush out of the theater with no time to remove my makeup. (I did remove my costume and fling on some sweats ).

On the way home I ran into the supermarket to pick up some stuff and was standing in line at the cash register. A woman and her teenage daughter were in front of me. The mother noticed my makeup and began to tell her daughter in a loud whisper I was meant to hear, that I was an example of a 'fallen woman' - LOL - that ANYONE with that kind of makeup would ipso facto be a street walker. LOL

(Luckily she didn't see the net stockings, red spike heels and leather short skirt that I had at home - JUST KIDDING!)

Anyway, it showed me that people can make some very fast and crude judgements about others, just based on makeup.

.....................

About men and makeup - I was on a double date and my girlfriend who was very beautiful wore a lot of makeup and other cosmetic accountrements (which she didn't need). We were sitting and eating pizza when she lifted her hand to fix a fake curl on her head and then her fake finger nail came off, and at the same moment her fake eyelash fell onto the table. Her date looked at her and said: "Is there anything else I should know about?"

I appreciate the natural look. When I lived in LA is was turned off by the over-application of make-up. But when you live in the town that is the high society setting for "fear and loathing in the garden of good and evil" (ok I forgot the title and went for humor) I could appreciate that you might get some comments.

I, like cyclone, probably lean toward the make up look that is meant to look natural. I get fooled by it and I like the faux natural look. But I wouldn't put the stuff on every day so it is not a requirement in my romantic life.

I don't use much makeup.

A little--- boo boo zap - The bold blemish blaster.

A little--- Definately Different Moisturizer Cream

Some--- Perk Me Up Powder

A bit of--- Pineapple Facial Polish

A small amount of...Baby Cakes Eye Liners

A drop of ---Line Minimizing Eye Shadow

A squirt of--- Wonder Lift Toning & Firming Lotion

A smear of--- Instant Fake-It For Lips ( Kiss thin lips good-bye)

And a dab of ---Lipsticks To Suit Your Every Moode

I too like the natural look.

Madtown

I prefer my wife to not wear makeup. SHe gets so fussy if I get frisky and smear the makeup or lipstick. I think women look the best first thing in the morning: Face all puffy, hair askew, eyes all tired. It's great. Myself, I will admit to using a quality moisturizer now and then. My wife has tons of creams and spreads and lotions in the bathroom. After a shower I'll grab a bottle of the nearest stuff and slather up. After shaving in the morning I love to splash on Aqua Velva, come on tell me it doesn't smell fantastic!!

I wear makeup to work everyday. I almost never wear it on the weekends or around the house. I might cover up some blotchy skin to run to the store..but that's about it.

When I get ready for work in the mornings I will use the works....mascara, blush, eyeliner, lipstick, etc.