# Cosmetics and You **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 18, 2012, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmetics-and-you/609847 "2012-01-18T00:43:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![slm2955](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c6cbf5/32.png) [@slm2955](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slm2955)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2012, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmetics-and-you/609847/61 "2012-01-18T19:05:08Z")
I only wear makeup when I’m heading out. But if it’s casual then I’ll put some foundation and eyeliner on, if formal then I put foundation, eyeshadow, false lashes, blush, eyeliner, lipstick and the whole works. ---
**Author:** ![Tapiotar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@Tapiotar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapiotar)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2012, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmetics-and-you/609847/62 "2012-01-18T19:20:24Z")
I rarely wore makeup when I was younger – the natural look was in, and I had nice skin. Sometimes I’d wear eye shadow and mascara to make my eyes more visible (glasses, short, blonde eyelashes), but that was it. Once I turned 45, however, I developed rosacea. I began using cosmetics to control it (Clinique Redness Relief is the best stuff I’ve discovered so far) and conceal it (mineral foundations are non-irritating and not too heavy). But only when I’ll be out in public in a social way, never when I’m at home or am just out for exercise. So I was over 50 before I actually learned the art of using makeup. I think my relatively nice and unwrinkled skin is due to not using stuff on it for most of my life. So stick to your guns on not using products that are bad for your skin. ---
**Author:** ![Wednesday\_Evening](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b2d939/32.png) [@Wednesday\_Evening](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wednesday_Evening)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2012, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmetics-and-you/609847/63 "2012-01-18T20:57:46Z")
I voted “don’t wear it at all.” The last time I wore makeup was to a friend’s wedding almost 3 years ago, so I think that’s close enough! It’s just way too much hassle. Put it on in the morning. Take it off in the evening. Buy more when you run out. Plus I don’t like supporting the cosmetics industry, which I feel tries to brainwash women into feeling they’re not beautiful unless they’re wearing makeup. \ We don’t need makeup to be beautiful, dammit! \ ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2012, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmetics-and-you/609847/64 "2012-01-18T21:10:15Z")
> [@Wednesday\_Evening](#): > > We don’t need makeup to be beautiful, dammit! Maybe \*you \*don’t, honey, but \*I \*need it just to be barely _presentable_. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2012, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmetics-and-you/609847/65 "2012-01-18T21:21:27Z")
I wear it probably 80% of the time I leave the house. It’s a self-care ritual, something that helps my depression and when I don’t wear it, it’s generally a good sign that my mood is going south (either that or I’m just going to the post office or to do laundry or something.) I’m thinking about doing away with foundation, though. It’s causing me to break out, which sort of defeats the purpose. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2012, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmetics-and-you/609847/66 "2012-01-18T21:25:02Z")
As I have said many times, there is no use gilding the turd. ---
**Author:** ![RoeCocoa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7feea3/32.png) [@RoeCocoa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RoeCocoa)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2012, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmetics-and-you/609847/67 "2012-01-18T21:30:23Z")
I have oily skin and moderate adult acne. I’ll go without makeup if I’m in a hurry or I’m going to be at home all day; otherwise, I always wear concealer, foundation powder, blush, finishing powder, eyeliner and lipgloss. Add mascara, lip color and sometimes eye shadow for special occasions. I was staunchly anti-makeup as a teenager, but my mother and her friends kept picking on me and giving me cosmetics until I started wearing them. Now I don’t feel confident in public unless I’m wearing makeup. I think this is a problem. ---
**Author:** ![miss\_elizabeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@miss\_elizabeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miss_elizabeth)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2012, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmetics-and-you/609847/68 "2012-01-18T22:09:27Z")
I wear it if I’m “going out” (usually), or if it’s a special occasion or something. I try to wear it if I’m meeting new people, since I do look better with it. I don’t wear it every day. I’d say it’s about 5 times a month, but sometimes more or less, depending. I also like playing with makeup, and often times I will play around with it, if I’m bored. When I do that I like to do really extreme stuff; costume style, or drag queen eyes. I don’t really count that, though, since I almost always wash it right off. It’s a lot of fun though! ETA: I wear a ton of stuff when I wear it, although I don’t think it looks over done. I have like… 6 different things I use to balance my complexion (SPF, primer, concealer, foundation, highlighter, powder). I just like buying it! ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2012, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmetics-and-you/609847/69 "2012-01-18T22:16:33Z")
I should wear it more often, sometimes I’ll mix in a little foundation with my moisturizer for coverage of my uneven skin tone. Slap on a little face powder, a little mascara, and chapstick. Then I notice my nails, so out comes the cuticle cream and emery board, am I done yet can we go now? the big drawback for me is the clutter of little tubes and compacts, if it doesn’t fit in my cosmetic bag I don’t need it. I hate hate the clutter of a bunch of cosmetics, and no I don’t want any acrylic storage condos for my face goop products. ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2012, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmetics-and-you/609847/70 "2012-01-18T22:30:23Z")
> [@RoeCocoa](#): > > I was staunchly anti-makeup as a teenager, but my mother and her friends kept picking on me and giving me cosmetics until I started wearing them. Now I don’t feel confident in public unless I’m wearing makeup. I think this is a problem. Other way around here - in my late teens and through much of my 20s, I wore makeup (at the very least eye stuff) every time I left the house. I felt weird and naked without it. Now in my 50s - I don’t bother much. Although I think I look somehow better with at least eyeliner. ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2012, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmetics-and-you/609847/71 "2012-01-18T22:37:00Z")
I don’t wear much make-up; however, I never leave the house without wearing lipstick. Also I swear, mascara does not work on me! I’ve tried everything from Wet n’ Wild to Chanel. It doesn’t make a difference. ---
**Author:** ![Scubaqueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@Scubaqueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scubaqueen)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2012, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmetics-and-you/609847/72 "2012-01-18T23:53:22Z")
For work, I put a bit of concealer under my eyes, then powder everything to take away the shine. No foundation. From there I apply eyeliner pencil, eyeshadow, mascara and finally a little blush, because without it I look like the walking dead with this pasty-white skin and blonde hair. I am blessed with good skin but very thin lips, so lipstick is rare. Sometimes a little lip gloss. The lighter the color, the less my mouth will look out of whack to the rest of me. If it’s not work, I’m a make-up free zone, unless I’m going out with friends or working at the theater. ---
**Author:** ![lynne-42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lynne-42/32/3138_2.png) [@lynne-42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lynne-42)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmetics-and-you/609847/73 "2012-01-19T00:28:52Z")
I wear it all the time. It’s just part of my morning routine and has been for decades. Five minutes at most. Lipstick and a little subtle eyeshadow and mascara. Plus 15+ moisturiser (Australian sun demands it). It gives me a ‘ready for the day’ feel and a much more professional approach to the day, for some reason. As an author who works mostly at home, it just makes me feel more confident which shows up in my writing. ---
**Author:** ![Lucretia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@Lucretia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucretia)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmetics-and-you/609847/74 "2012-01-19T00:42:05Z")
> [@gallows\_fodder](#): > > This post struck fear into my soul. My eyelashes are my best feature; whatever will I do if I should lose them?! Use Latisse! I use it cosmetically, and it rawks! These puppies postively wave! ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmetics-and-you/609847/75 "2012-01-19T00:59:54Z")
I’m 27 and I’ve never worn makeup on a regular basis. My mom didn’t wear it often and never taught me how. And now, I’m just not interested. I might put it on for a job interview, but it’s been over three years since I had my last one. Probably that stuff is all dried up by now. I don’t need makeup to sit in front of a computer and talk to customers on the phone all day. And even if I were in a job where someone thought I needed makeup, I wouldn’t wear it. Because I’m feministy and lazy and junk. The only cosmetic I carry and use on a daily basis is burt’s bees chapstick. Tingly! ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmetics-and-you/609847/76 "2012-01-19T01:09:23Z")
I typically will wear makeup if I’m leaving the house, but if I’m home all day, I don’t bother. ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmetics-and-you/609847/77 "2012-01-20T01:23:44Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > I am middle-aged and very plain, so I have to wear \*some \*makeup, but wearing too much would be disastrous. I am also middle-aged and very plain. Makeup doesn’t make me gorgeous by any means but it does improve me. I should make more effort. ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmetics-and-you/609847/78 "2012-01-20T01:30:40Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > I’m a big fan of makeup— I have a huge desk full of it, I watch makeup videos on Youtube in my spare time, I read beauty blogs all day, and my favorite thing is to go makeup shopping. Hell, I even started a thread here titled [Ask The Girl Who Knows A Lot About Makeup."](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=560357) > > … > > **MsRobyn** , have you tried putting a primer under your makeup? There are primers at all price points-- it basically creates a barrier between your skin and the makeup, so not only will the makeup stay in place longer, but it’ll also be less damaging on your skin. If there’s a Sephora near you, I can suggest some brands to try-- they’ll give you free samples. Ooh, I’d forgotten about your thread **DiosaBellissima**. I read it at the time and found it very helpful. Do you mind if I ask you a question about primers here? I used to have no trouble at all applying foundation, way back in the day when I wore it a lot and before primers had even been invented. Now I’m older (a _lot_ older) I find that any foundation at any pricepoint seems to sink into my pores and make them very noticeable. I don’t know whether I’m using too much moisturiser or not enough or if a primer would help. Or maybe I’m too old to bother and nothing would help. What do you reckon? ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmetics-and-you/609847/79 "2012-01-20T01:54:27Z")
Almost always to work and probably about 1/2 the time at other points. Almost always if I’m “going out” - not always if I’m “running out.” Seldom if I’m home doing laundry. I used to wear it very seldom. Even to work. Then I got a little older and stopped being able to carry off “fresh faced” as easily. Now I enjoy wearing it. ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmetics-and-you/609847/80 "2012-01-20T07:04:17Z")
I either wear no makeup at all (most of the time), or very dramatic, theatrical makeup. Usually for a performance or performance related things like headshots (and for headshots I hire a makeup artist). On the rare occasion I’ll dress up for an event, which is about as much role-play as actually being in a show and is therefore also a dramatic look. Makeup to me is fun, fantasy, and play – I don’t aim for a “natural” look because I can get natural by not wearing makeup, and it never looks natural anyway. So, professionally, no. Every day, hell no. Makeup feels heavy and greasy and I couldn’t stand having it on my face, all day every day. Playing dress up happens on the order of maybe 10 times per year, more than half of which are due to being in shows that have multi-performance runs. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmetics-and-you/609847.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosmetics-and-you/609847.md?page=5)