Men And Women Share Their Honest Thoughts On Makeup, And It’s Making Me Blush
Makeup is kind of like pencil crayons and paint, but for women. A variety of different supplies and techniques, in every color imaginable, ready to create something beautiful. Whether it’s a canvas or your face, the possibilities are endless.
Natural versus glam, drugstore versus designer brands, and how much makeup is too much makeup—it's one of those topics that whether you’re male or female, everyone has an opinion about. So what do people really think about women who wear makeup? We took to Reddit to find out.
Gentlemen First
Some men prefer women who wear no makeup, while others prefer women who look like they’re about to step out onto the Hollywood red carpet. While everyone has their own personal preference for what they find attractive in a partner, makeup is no exception.
Redditor ninkasi97 recently posed a question to the Ask Men subreddit, “Do you find makeup on girls attractive?” and boy, did these guys have some thoughts.
The Wizarding World Of Makeup
A common sentiment felt by guys was that if a woman is wearing too much makeup, then it simply just looks bad. They even had a catalog of colorful terms for it too. Some men referred to excessive woman’s makeup as “war paint,” one called it “auditioning to be a clown,” and another said it was “sorcery.”
“Makeup is like salt in food,” writes one user. “It’s not necessary but a [little] can make things so much better. Too much is just disgusting.”
Au Natural
Many guys said the natural look is the way to go. But as a few users pointed out, many of them failed to realize that there is a distinct difference between a woman with a truly barefaced look and a woman who’s applied makeup that gives the appearance of looking natural.
“I’ve met a lot of men that think they like the no-makeup look. They didn’t realize how much natural-styled makeup they were actually looking at,” one user writes.
Changing Faces
Another big point for men is that they like makeup in small amounts, meaning that it should enhance a woman’s natural beauty and not look like a Snapchat filter.
“Makeup that enhances how you look is different than makeup that covers how you look. The first means I'm still looking at you, just with your best features highlighted,” writes one user. “The second means I could be looking at anyone, so I'm not really looking at you. It doesn't do either of us any good for me to be attracted to a face that could be anyone.”
Jarring Distinctions
These same guys also said that how stark the difference is between how a woman looks with or without makeup can be a huge turn-off. If makeup drastically alters the way a woman looks, then it’s not attractive.
“It's kind of jarring how you see some women with and without makeup. Most women actually,” writes one user. “Men tell lies and women want honest men, yet women cover their lies up via makeup almost every day.”
A Red-Hot Take
The same Reddit user also added that while he’s a fan of a sultry smoky eye with winged eyeliner, he’s definitely not a fan when it comes to red lipstick.
“Oh, and bright red lipstick is absolutely, categorically, 100% of the time not attractive.”
Perfect Imperfections
But it's not all bad news, ladies. It turns out that those little imperfections we’re insecure about are actually considered attractive by some guys.
“More often than not, I can't tell when women wear makeup,” wrote one user. “But when I can tell, that's usually borderline too much makeup. Lemme see those beauty marks, and freckles, and dimples. I want you to look like a real human being, not a barbie doll.
Magic With Makeup
Not all guys felt the same pessimism toward makeup, however. Some were impressed with the skill that goes into professionally applying makeup, and one user shared that his girlfriend is actually a makeup artist, and she knows how to work magic.
“Currently dating a makeup artist and she is phenomenal. She's beautiful naturally, but just so creative and artistic with makeup. I absolutely adore it,” they wrote.
Best Of Both Worlds
Other users pointed out that while it can depend on skillset and application, whether a woman is wearing full-on glam makeup or she’s barefaced, both are beautiful options.
From a woman’s perspective, it’s fun to mix things up. Sometimes we feel like dressing to kill for a night on the town, and other times we’re just too lazy to put on makeup and want to stay curled up in bed.
“Do What Makes You Happy”
Other guys had a more neutral stance on the whole makeup debate. Regardless of what guys might think, women should simply do what makes them happy.
“I feel that if a woman wants to wear makeup and feels comfortable doing so, it shouldn't matter what we men think,” writes one user.
Now It’s The Ladies' Turn
But this wouldn’t be a true debate unless we got the women’s side of the story too (which, let’s be real, is the only one that actually matters, but thanks for playing, men).
Our reasons for choosing to wear or not wear makeup vary greatly, and all reasons are valid. Reddit threads have popped up time and again asking this age-old question, so now it’s time to ask women, “What do you love about using makeup?” Remember guys, equality.
Changing Attitudes
When it comes to makeup, it’s not one-size-fits-all, and everyone has to find their own stride.
“I was a super tomboy, ‘not like the other girls’ girl in high school and then I figured I should try a bit to look professional for my first job interviews,” one user wrote. “Liking how I looked sort of made me take another look at femininity/gender roles and I realized that the reason I was so anti-femininity was because I was told being pretty and smart/funny/competent were mutually exclusive. Now, I love being pretty.”
Women Supporting Women
“Now I realize that the boys who say you’re ‘not like other girls’ don’t know what they’re talking about. Other girls are great. I love being like them, the confident, beautiful women that I meet every day make me love being a woman more,” writes one user.
“Makeup isn’t for men, it’s for women and the compliments and love we send toward each other.”
Your Confidence Is Showing
A lot of women say that they choose to wear makeup because it’s a confidence booster. Whether looking more professional with matching styled hair and killer wardrobe or being able to express themselves through makeup, it’s a way to proudly showcase their identity and who they are.
“I like using the ritual of makeup to start my day,” writes one user. “It definitely pushes me to get more done. It’s like makeup = get s*** done.”
Doing It For Themselves
Many women say that they choose to wear makeup—not because they want to impress men—but because they want to impress themselves and feel beautiful.
“I like makeup because the time I spend putting it on, it’s a small part of the day where I don’t have to think about anything else but myself,” one user writes.
A Work Of Art
For other users, it gives them a chance to experiment with different products, colors, and techniques, and essentially transform themselves into beautiful and living works of art.
“I love the transformation. It could be as complicated as creating new shapes or as simple as using different colors to enhance my eyes or skin tone. Humans have always been attracted to art and makeup is an extension of that for me. I'm not going to kid myself that it's great art but it's my art.”
A Woman’s Choice
Other women shared on Reddit that when it comes to makeup, it’s simply a matter of individual choice, and for them, it doesn’t take a faceful of makeup to feel confident and beautiful.
“I've never worn makeup. As in, none at all, not even a 'natural-looking' makeup. I don't have the time, energy, or money to put it on and take it off every day,” wrote one user. "If you stopped wearing makeup tomorrow, no one would bat an eye. If they do, your answer is 'I don't want to,' and no one will bat an eye.”
Beauty Rest
With different skincare routines, lip shades, foundations, and varieties of eye makeup, a woman’s morning beauty routine can be tedious, and not every woman is a fan of it.
“I never wear makeup. I don’t care about how I look to others. I’d rather get an extra few minutes of sleep,” writes one user.
Smash The Patriarchy
Other women choose to wear little or no makeup simply because they don’t want to adhere to traditional beauty standards that are coveted by society. But as one user pointed out, unfortunately, that plan can sometimes backfire.
“Some workplaces (mine for example) have certain expectations of how women should look and wearing makeup is one of them,” they wrote. “I work in a company of over 700 people and the CEO told me I looked 'very tired' the other day when I didn't have much makeup on and gently advised me to wear more.”
To Makeup, Or Not To Makeup? That Is The Question
The topic of makeup is definitely one that everyone has a strong opinion about. As a young adult, I used to wear a lot of makeup, namely foundation, and eyeliner that had wings so large I could take flight. But as I entered my mid-twenties, I toned it down and wore little makeup, and sometimes even none at all. So it’s easy to understand all sides.
What are your thoughts when it comes to women and makeup? Let us know in the comments!
