Women and makeup (split from "Ban on skinny models" thread)

[cyclypse]

All we need now is for models to stop wearing so much god damn make-up.

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

All we need now is for models to stop wearing so much god damn make-up.

Amen. I prefer the all-natural look, myself, where little make-up only highlights natural beauty and features or accentuates them, rather than covers up flaws and such. Any more make-up and the professional models will start looking like clowns (some already do).

 

[Violetta]

Well, considering the effects I go for with makeup, I dunno if I'm one to talk. But I also know a lot of the makeup models use isn't really to cover flaws or anything, but to work with the lighting of the photography more. But it does get so excessive sometimes. I agree that I wish they'd look more realistic.

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

An analogy I've heard of states that make-up, for a woman, is like a mask to conceal her true self. Perhaps there is some truth to that for alot of women.

 

[Violetta]

I wouldn't go that far. That analogy might be true for some, but I think most of us just use it to make ourselves closer to what we want to be, not to cover up what we actually are.

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

I wouldn't go that far. That analogy might be true for some, but I think most of us just use it to make ourselves closer to what we want to be, not to cover up what we actually are.

One could say its the same thing, just reversed.

If you're wearing the make-up to beautify yourself, then it imples several things. It could mean that for some women, they believe they have to wear make-up to look beautiful, as this is what telivision and magazines have told them (perhaps in only so many words or with imagery). The subtle cruelty of vanity is that it implies that you are not good enough as you are and that work needs to be done to make you acceptable.

If a woman honestly believes that, then she's fallen for the age-old male chauvinistic trap which is still alive and well today under different themes and guises. Make-up is just one of the vanities that man has slowly mentally conditioned into women (and now that women condition into women), as well as attire and fashion trends.

If a woman, for example, feels that in order to attract a man she'd have to dress a certain way and wear make-up a certain way, then she's not being herself unaided, and the make-up and attire is metaphoric of her having compromised her identity or ability for something else. Whether she gets the attention of the man at this point is irrelevant. Its having done this that cheapens, I would imagine, the sensation and the experience.

This is where a difference is made, however.

Some women, at this point, would merely take advantage of make-up because its to their benefit as they're already naturally beautiful, and they know what gets attention (assuming in this example they want a man's attention or they've already scouted a man they're interested in).

On the other end of the spectrum however, you've got the (for our example) insecure woman who has idealized notions of what beauty is and as she's got these ideals in her head, she trys to strive for them because she realizes she cannot do it under her own power of feminine persuasion.

For the first girl, she's merely using the make-up as a tool.

For the second girl, she's wearing the make-up because she feels she has to to make a difference.

The second girl is the one wearing the "mask", in my opinion. The first girl too, but not in so many ways as the second.

The difference being the first has confidence and the second does not.

Whats your take on this?

 

[Violetta]

I'd say you've hit pretty close to the mark, kiddo. The second girl in your example is using makeup as a crutch, afraid to show any sign of what she's like normally. The first woman could very well have all the confidence in the world, but simply uses makeup for a particular effect or simply to highlight what she feels are her best features. And being able to say that she has good features to highlight means she has confidence at all in her own natural beauty.

I don't know if mask though is really the best metaphor, since it implies a desire to hide in my mind. I think it's more of a crutch, since in the case of the second girl, she wants to be out and be seen, but is dependant on the stuff to make herself feel attractive.

 

[cyclypse]

For some strange reason I find even the smallest amount of make-up.....i guess "repulsing" is the right word. Probably way to strong for what i'm trying to get across but it's 5 AM and i can't think.

But of all the make up in the world.... I CAN'T STAND lipstick. I think i'm just psychologically scared by the dozens of lip marks i recieved as a child from aunts,grandmothers,and older cousins covering my face like huge, multi colored spots of acne. Fuck that.


..........I say all that..yet i was raised in theatre and had to learn to put on my own make-up INCLUDING lipstick......and I rather enjoyed it. @.@

But it was make-up used for the sake of people actually being able to make out my facial features on stage because the spot lights would make me look as blank as a piece of paper without them. Hurray for make-up!

 

[Violetta]

Aww, Anime! I'm gonna put on my darkest shade of purple lipstick and save up a kiss just for you. 😛

 

[cyclypse]

Purple looks good on me ^^ I'll go for tha.........wait a minute. 😵

 

[MistressValerie1]

If I may offer my perspective, I like to wear a moderate amount of makeup because I feel it helps me look neat and well-groomed. I don't use it to hide any perceived flaws except for the occasional minor facial blemish. Similarly, I always wear perfume and a small amount of jewelry because I consider it attractive.

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

I don't know if mask though is really the best metaphor, since it implies a desire to hide in my mind.

Isn't that what the second girl is doing? The make-up seems like much more than just a crutch. Its a matter of self-acceptance, and she doesn't have it.

The mask hides her inward frailty and projects an image which is won not through competition or vanity, but through deceit (however well-intentioned it may be)

"I just wanted him to like me" is the thought that I imagine girl number 2 may be playing over and over again.

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

Purple looks good on me ^^ I'll go for tha.........wait a minute. 😵

I was considering buying a purple dress shirt for work. Though I am man enough to wear purple, I'm still not sure yet if theres any dress code on this. I doubt there is.

I wouldn't want to be thrown in a crazy house in a cell with a guy who thinks he's Michael Jackson just because I wore a pink shirt to work, like Homer Simspon. 😛 LOL! 😀

"Put him in with the big white guy who thinks he's the little black guy!"- one of the guards as they put Homer away

 

[cyclypse]

w00t, now we're adding jewelry to the mix. XD To be honest, and I in no way mean anything rude by this, I never really notice jewelry on women. I'm an eye and hair guy. First thing I notice is the hair (preferably either long and luxurious or short to just past the ears) and if i'm lucky enough to get close enough to make conversation i'm always staring directly into their eyes. My favorite is green.

I guess that's another reason I frown upon make-up. Depending on how it's used, it can either really accent the eyes or make them almost unbearable to look at.

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

If I may offer my perspective, I like to wear a moderate amount of makeup because I feel it helps me look neat and well-groomed. I don't use it to hide any perceived flaws except for the occasional minor facial blemish. Similarly, I always wear perfume and a small amount of jewelry because I consider it attractive.

"Sloppy dress means sloppy work!"

LOL 😉

 

[cyclypse]

I was considering buying a purple dress shirt for work. Though I am man enough to wear purple, I'm still not sure yet if theres any dress code on this. I doubt there is.

I wouldn't want to be thrown in a crazy house in a cell with a guy who thinks he's Michael Jackson just because I wore a pink shirt to work, like Homer Simspon. 😛 LOL! 😀

"Put him in with the big white guy who thinks he's the little black guy!"- one of the guards as they put Homer away

I have yet to try pink on me. I fear once I put it on i'll laugh so hard at how rediculous I look that i'll start wearing it on a regular basis just for self entertainment.

Edit: Ok i just hit my head on the keyboard.....off to bed. Night all XD

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

I have yet to try pink on me. I fear once I put it on i'll laugh so hard at how rediculous I look that i'll start wearing it on a regular basis just for self entertainment.

Edit: Ok i just hit my head on the keyboard.....off to bed. Night all XD

MEEEEEEEEEEEE YOWWWWWWWWWWWW! WOOF! 😉

ROFL! 😀

 

[quesecotil1]

I have always thought that makeup was there to do three things, firstly it's there to cover up anything that the person in question does not want people to see. I was on the train yesterday and a woman sat in front of me looked into her hand-mirror, saw that there was a slight red mark where a spot was coming through and immediately broke out the foundation to cover it up. Two stops later, her boyfriend (I figure) got on the train and they went to stand together.

Secondly, it's to accent features that you want to make bolder and more apparent. While Anime316 may not like makeup's effect on the eyes, various women I've spoken to about this subject have told me that they use mascara and eyeliner to make their eyes more apparent. It adds a certain air of mysticism, especially within the confines of certain subcultures.

I wear make-up for ME, mainly. B/c I like how I look with it on...it makes me feel better about myself when I can have juicy lips and (semi) perfect skin.

My third point is derived from that quote. The girl from another forum states that she uses it to make herself look better. Obvously, that's a matter of opinion, but she thinks that it makes her look more attractive and it makes her feel better about herself. Now, with that in mind, would you now say it was a bad thing for women to wear makeup? Surely it's somewhat unhealthy for some people to derive comfort from something so superficial. On the flip side, would it be fair to chastise someone for wearing makeup when they do use it for this reason?

 

[TheChameleon]

What about my incredibly cute girlfriend who only wears makeup to work?

Wait... I don't have one of those.

 

[Xin]

Personally i love to wear make up. I view it as a type of art, i love to decorate my eyes with eyeliner and colourful eyeshows. But i would never dream of wearing it out simply because it is artistic and for my pleasure. On a day to day basis i don't wear alot of make up, maybe something to cover the odd spot and some mascara/eyeliner, as MistressValerie said, just something to make me look more presentable.

When it comes to jewellry though, i love the stuff, the brighter and more playful the better!

 

[blackmagicjack1]

Make-up is a lot like everything else. Use too much or for the wrong reasons, and there are going to be some negative effects. Use it as a source of personal expression and you're going to get some positive effects out of it.

PS.

I like dangling earrings for some reason. They draw my attention directly to a woman's face.

 

[Cbarton]

To me, it all depends on whether it's being applied in a simple manner to accentuate or highlight, or if it looks like it was piled on with a scoop shovel. MDJ wears very little, if at all, and that's mostly when we go out, again, to highlight her best features, etc.

 

[nessonite1]

The only time I've ever worn makeup was with a cosplay that I wore. I had a black wig with floofybangs and my eyes got totaslly lost behind it, so I wore some mascara and a bit of black eyeliner.
Both of these I had to buy and learn how to use and they remain the only items in my make-up collection.
I just look silly in make-up. it works for some people, but for me I feel like Im plaing dress-up or somehting. it isn't me. My mother is the same way...she looks downright clownish and completely unatural in make-up.
so yeah...some people can make it work for them. Im sure not one though.

 

[P[a]pi]

I like it when my girlfriend wears mascara and eyeliner. She only wears black, but thats my favorite. She doesn't do it all the time though and looks great without it too. Thats the only make-up she wears and I'm fine with that. I'm not really a fan of blush, foundation or lipstick though.

 

[TheChameleon]

I hate lipstick.

I mean, it looks good on paper, but actual application makes it really hard to kiss without ruining MY face.