A Query about Make-up
 

So, I've never been one who wears much make-up. My mother doesn't wear it, most of my friends don't wear it. It's just never been a daily habit for me.

But I've been wondering lately if maybe part of my not feeling good about how I present myself to the world is because I put so little prep into my daily appearance.

So I have a couple of questions:

-Do you wear make-up? Everyday, just on special occasions, only to work?
-What do you wear for work? everyday?
-Do you just put it on the morning & don't think about it again or carry it with you & reapply throughout the day? How often do you need to touch it up?

It's strange 'cause a part of me feels like I'm "putting on a face" that is not really me when I wear make-up. Is this just me? Does anyone else feel fake when they wear make-up?

Thanks!

I wear a little for special occasions. We're talking maybe twice a year.

I just don't get it. I don't like having crap on me. I want to be able to rub my eyes without worrying, drink something without having to deal with reapplying lipstick and generally don't like feeling like a kewpie doll.

I don't think it means I don't care about my appearance or how I present myself. I'm just a natural gal and can't be bothered.

Hello!
I do wear make up every day, but if it's not a special occasion it's just usually a base foundation to make my face look more even colour... if that makes sense.
If i'm going out for the evening i wear eye shadow, mascarra, eyeliner, blusher, lipgloss etc. If it's a special occasion though, i don't put make up on until an hour before i go out so it looks more 'fresh'.

To be honest, i don't really feel myself when i don't put makeup on because i wear it a lot, so it's strange when i don't. I guess that's the same for you because you don't wear makeup!

Do you have any shops over there where they put makeup on for free? Cause in some shops here if you browse a makeup stand they'll give you a free make over! Why don't you have it done professionally, as a treat, and see if you like the outcome?

I wear it every day. I feel so much better with it...even if it isn't a ton. Usually, I wear a lightweight base (waterbased so it doesn't feel gloppy), blush, eyeshadow, liner, mascara, a touch of eyebrow color because mine are VERY light, and some lip gloss. I think it's amazing how much younger and fresher I look when I put it on.

I put on makeup before I go to work in the morning... when it's gone then it's gone and I don't re-apply. I use foundation, powder (I need this to prevent shine), blush, mascara, and lipgloss - never lipliner, eyeliner or eye shadow, well unless it's Halloween. :dracula: I also remove all of it every night and have relatively clear/blemishfree skin. I rarely wear makeup on the weekend, however, I know people that won't leave the house without the full compliment of cosmetics. I really think it is personal preference and depends on how you are most comfortable. I rarely notice makeup on women, unless they are wearing too much... so less is more is my policy.

Good luck with your decision.

I wear makeup... but I see it more as a way to express myself because I collect high end brands and play with color on a daily basis. The trend right now is to look as natural as possible and fresh... (if you see What Not to Wear on TLC... the makeup artist there sticks with this approach) Its one way to avoid 'mask face'. I wear tinted moisturizer to work every day.. after using an oil free moisturizer and I always have a product with sunscreen on.

It can take several tries to get the right color match in a drug store... or you can have a professional do it and head for a department store makeup counter. Another issue with the mask face is that our skin lightens in winter and tans in summer... so the shade you use in the winter will look like a mask in the summer.

Final words... I wear it to look polished but the most important thing I think is moisturizer and sunscreen every day.

Simple things like adding a bit of blush.. or under eye brightener can make one appear younger, healthier and more awake. But it's all about personal preference :) For simple fixes I use Benefit cosmetics... or Almay.

I wear make-up everyday. Not much, but quite frankly, I think I look better with it, then without it. If I feel I look better for some silly reason, it makes me FEEL better. It gives me more confidence. I'm not sure why. But it does.

I wear a light moisturizer and then a very, very light base. A little blush, a little eye liner, a little light colored eyeshadow and some lip gloss. Not enough to make me look "fake", just enough to give me a little color and a little boost. When it's a special occasion, I put on mascara as well. I don't like wearing that everyday. Too hard to take off at night, IMO.

I have never worn foundation, blush ect.. Once a week, or month depending on me, I through some eyeshadow and eyeliner on and that is it, sometimes lipstick, but that is it. I don't work right now, so I don't need to worry about competing with other women, and am happy with me.
I had a Anthropology professor who used to tell the guys in class that before they marry their girlfriends to get them in the shower, scrub their face and then really look at them, because the girls ( 20 yrs ago) wore so much makeup you really don't know what your getting.
lol .
I am pretty simple, I dont' think I will ever be one of those women who spend so much time getting ready, probably got that from my mother, she would get up at 4 in the morning, to get ready for work, she spent 2 hours :?: in the bathroom. I will never be that kind of women.
cheryl

I wear make up every day to work...weekends, it pretty much depends on what I am doing. I don't wear much (a super light foundation, eyeliner, some shadow, mascara, blush, lip gloss and a little dust of loose powder b/c I get shiny...I don't usually re-apply at work, but sometimes I will put on more gloss), but I feel much more pulled together when I wear it. I would suggest going to a make up counter and asking for a make over--let the person know what look you are going for and they will show you how. They are usually free and sometimes will give samples of the products they use. Of course, they may try to push their products, but that part is up to you. If you do this, I would suggest that you either make an appt or try to go when it is not a really busy time (weekends tend to be busy)....can you tell I have done this before?!

I have always struggled w/ how to make my eyes look nice...maybe I'll hit the mall and ask for some tips for myself!

Good Luck!

good post!!

I used to HATE makeup and actually didnt start wearing it until a few years ago. I use Bare Minerals and LOVE IT. i put it on for work, and only when i go to special places. it feels so soft and looks so natural, because i hate the overly made-up look. ive been using bare minerals since i bought it (3+ years).
if im not going anywhere special, i will wear a little lip gloss, curl my lashes and put on mascara. sometimes i might brush over my blemishes with the bare minerals powder.
thats it!

Do you wear make-up? Everyday, just on special occasions, only to work?

I wear it most days to work, and definitely on special occasions. I try to avoid it on the weekend if possible.
-What do you wear for work? everyday?

I wear concealer (I have raccoon eyes!), a light foundation (either a liquid or a pressed powder), a bit of eyeliner, mascara and lip gloss.

-Do you just put it on the morning & don't think about it again or carry it with you & reapply throughout the day? How often do you need to touch it up?

I never need to retouch my eye stuff, but I am a virtual oil slick on my face, so I am always powdering to take away the shine.

It's strange 'cause a part of me feels like I'm "putting on a face" that is not really me when I wear make-up. Is this just me? Does anyone else feel fake when they wear make-up?

In a way, you sort of ARE putting on a face. I find that when I wear my daily make-up for the office, I feel more polished and professional. When I add more color for special occasions or for a night on the town, I feel more flirty and feminine.

What you need to ask yourself is this: "When I wear make-up, how does it make me feel?" If you feel good when wearing it, then wear it. If you feel uncomfortable in it, or you don't feel good when you wear it, then don't wear it.

I only wear makeup for special occasions, and even then it is MINIMAL.

I heard something on the John Tesh radio program a couple weeks ago that you should replace your eye shadows every six months or so. Apparently, bacteria builds up in that time and can actually irritate your eyes.

Since I don't wear makeup often, the stuff I have now is like 2 years old or more. I'll have to throw it all out! :(

I wear make-up most days for work, and always when I go out. I don't like a lot on. I've been trying Philosophy's "the Present" products, which I love. It is clear make-up, so it just evens out your skin tone a bit and minimizes the appearance of pores and fine lines. For work, I usually wear that with a bit of pressed power, some mascara and lip balm rather than lipstick. For going out, I add more eye-makeup and an actual lipstick. Anyway, I am really liking this product line because (though it feels a bit sticky going on) once it sets, I don't feel like I'm wearing make-up at all and a little bit goes a long way. I will say, don't cheap out if you can avoid it. A really cheap make-up is going to feel icky on your skin.

As to how I feel, I don't think that I'm putting on a face so much as I am highlighting my best features and minimizing my flaws. Maybe you could start with just a bit of power and lip balm or something and see how you like it before you invest in a whole host of products that you'll hate.

I've got a tendency toward shiny--and I like good coverage. However, using a foundation, powder, eyeshadow and mascara daily has been too much for the summer. AND I've got sensitive skin.

Recently I started using Physicians Formula powder in "Light Translucent"--it comes with a brush and it covers and de-shines my face beautifully. Lately, it's just been that powder with some mascara. And lipgloss, of course. I don't ever go anywhere without my lipgloss. Co Bigelow (from Bath and Body Works) tinted lip glosses are GREAT and they have peppermint oil in them, so they smell and taste great, too :D

No make up here. I wear it maybe a couple of times a year (special dress up occasions) I do however put moisturizer on my face and neck every night and morning. I never liked the way makeup makes my face feel, but think it is fine for those who want to wear it. I also have never "plucked" my eyebrows or colored my hair - I guess I am a very simple woman.

Oh boy, I'm probably on the extreme end when it comes to make-up. I'm a makeup junkie and I'm one of those people who not be caught dead in public without my "face" on. And that standard also goes for my hair and my clothes. I don't wear alot of makeup but I do wear enough to accent my eyes and I do color coordinate with my outfits and I will refresh if needed. I guess its just the way I was brought up. My mother always dressed herself up and was very attentive to her looks, her home, her body and just about everything had to be as perfect as it could be. In turn, I have passed on the same standards to my daughter and granddaughter and if you can believe it both have higher standards for the way they look than I do. There is a plus to all of the fussyness and its since I have been using skincare products since I was about 10 years old and have been moisturizing, moisturizing, I've been told I look 10 years younger than I really am and I'll take that compliment anyday.

I love wearing make-up. It makes me feel "girly.":D I also think it makes me look younger. Since I work from home, I don't wear it unless I'm going somewhere. I've been thinking of put a little on each morning, just as a way to take some "me" time...maybe just a touch of mascara and some lipgloss. I use foundation, blush, a little eye pencil, a light sweep of eye shadow and mascara and some sheer lipgloss. I've been told that I don't look made-up which is what I strive for.....natural looking, but better.

Wow - thanks for all the responses. I definitely have the make-up & know how to apply it - I just always feel so unsure of how much is too much for day to day since it always feels like so much to me - lol.

I think I may try a simple powder, mascara, lipgloss for day to day for a couple of weeks & see how it goes.

Thank you so much!

I wore makeup to my son's wedding in 2000, and makeup to my daughter's wedding in 2004. Both times I went to a professional because 1) I don't have any makeup, and 2) if I did, I wouldn't know how to put it on. While I liked how my eyes looked, I didn't like the foundation stuff. Why do aestheticians feel the need to cover up freckles? Anyway, my stance on makeup is that I've tried it, and it's really not for me.

Like Mrs. Quadcrew, I moisturize a lot and really try to take care of my skin. I don't color my hair either, although I have random thoughts about doing that, but I don't want to deal with the mess or the expense. I do have my eyebrows waxed every two weeks, however. Now that is a must for me, and I feel so much better with well-shaped eyebrows.

I think people need to find out what beauty regimen works for them, if any, and do what makes you feel good. We're all worth it! :)

Hhmm, deedee10, interesting about your daughter and granddaughter. When my daughter started using makeup, I took her to a professional because I didn't have a clue. She's always used it to enhance her beauty, unlike many of her friends who slathered it on. It was money well spent, IMHO. Still, I can't figure out why she got into it so much since I certainly wasn't a role model for makeup.

I wear make-up everyday, unless I'm not leaving the house. I wear Revlon Flex foundation, Coty translucent powder, cover girl blush, and an assortment of eye shadows, liners, lipsticks, and mascaras. I'm a girlie gurl and love to shop and try new stuff. I don't go for those super duper department store make-ups because I'm cheap and I've heard too many times that they aren't any better.

The most important thing is to moisturize and take care of your skin.

Sheila53, it is interesting and I guess my daughter watched me doing my "beauty ritual" when she was growing up and now my granddaughter whose only 7 watches both of us. Of course my granddaughter doesn't wear makeup yet but she is very particular about how her hair looks and what outfits she will wears. I guess it's better than the alternative.

It doesn't have anything to do with having "higher standards". A decision not to wear make-up doesn't mean we're slovenly or dress like pigs. It doesn't mean we don't have clean houses. It doesn't mean we don't care how we look. It means that we have a different idea of what "perfect" means.

I have dry skin with some redness, so I wear make-up to cover it up. Also wear it around the eyes. Not much for blush or lipstick though.

As far as your questions...

Do you wear make-up? Everyday, just on special occasions, only to work?
--I wear it every day that I leave the house.

What do you wear for work? everyday?
--N/A - currently just going to school.

Do you just put it on the morning & don't think about it again or carry it with you & reapply throughout the day? How often do you need to touch it up?
--Most of the time I only apply it once, sometimes twice in the summer because of sweat. I don't carry make-up with me, except for eye liner in my purse, but I rarely use it when I'm out and about.

I wear it everyday I go somewhere. Most days I just wear a bronzing foundation and some powder, and a quick coat of mascara with some lip gloss...I like to look more natural. But if I am going out with friends I use all of the above, plus eyeshadow, eyeliner, lip liner, and a colored lip gloss.

It makes me feel pretty :)

Robin, you sound like you were offended by deedee's statements. I really believe she was talking about standards within her family rather than setting herself up as having "high standards" and others don't. At least that's the way I took it. I'm betting she doesn't care if anyone, even her family members, wear makeup or not, but it was the way she was raised.

While I dont wear it everyday I do mosts when I'm working or going to class etc... like many women have said natural and simple is the way I go. Just having that 5 minutes in the morning for moisturizer, light foundation, bronzer and a little eye shawdow and mascara give me a little me time and in a way makes me feel ready (even if my body doesn't feel awake enough) to start my day fresh. Someone else also mentioned it but I've found the Physicians Formula line is pretty neutral with more subtle tones that have worked best for me as I also hate that 'too make-upy' look. Also that line has a lot of products that are hypo-allergenic and for sensitive skin... might be a place to start! Good luck!

I did think it was kind of offensive. Whether you're talking about just within your family or not, basically saying that your family has higher standards about their appearance, clothing, house, etc. is by definition saying that those who do not live the same way are somehow inferior.

I also do not for a minute think that she meant it to be offensive or patronizing.

Well i do wear makeup when i work....or for special occasions....and honestly it doesnt bother me any....but the way i see it.....is everyone is beautiful.....if ya dont want to wear it.....dont....its really not a big deal no adays!! Alot of people go without it!!! You are your own person....and every person is beautiful in there own way!!! Just member that!!! :^:

The only thing I wear everyday is mascara.....I curl my lashes and slap on a coat of mascara....what a world of difference that one thing makes.

Even though I don't wear makeup, I too have been told by many people I do not look anywhere near the age I am. I don't think that has anything to do with weather you wear makeup or not.:D

I wear make up rarely, when I do it's usually just a bit of mascara, lipstick and a tiny bit of blush. I find that wearing make up makes my skin bad so I prefer to refrain from using it for the most part.

I do highly recommend the mineral powder foundations though if you plan on using a foundation. They look very natural and tend not to make your skin break out.

Well, instead of the words "high standards", I probably should have used the word "tradition". It is a family thing and I don't consider myself superior than anyone who doesn't wear makeup or keep a clean house, etc. It's a matter of personal choice and I apologize if I offended anyone. I accept everyone as they are and would never judge a woman if she did or did not wear makeup because some of the most beautiful women in my family and some of my friends don't wear a stitch. Personally, sometimes I wish I could go to the market without any makeup on but the behavior is so ingrained in me that I just can't do it.

i feel fake , i put on make up almost everyday. . . but i wear very light make up not purple eye shawdow to match my purple top, make up is just to enhance what you already have, a light foundation ( p.s i know a lot of women do this , your foundation should be the exact color of your skin , not darker to look like you have tan, just putting that out there, and dont cake it on lol) anyway i dont use blush i just pinch my cheeks a little lol, mascara, eyeliner and vaaaalaaaa curl your eye lashes its the simplest thing with the biggest result. even if you dont wear any makeup just the eyelashes curled make a huge difference. try it! it does make you feel pretty, it makes you feel like you made time for yourself because your that important . :)