# Guys do you like make up on girls? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 13, 2015, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-like-make-up-on-girls/717542 "2015-04-13T02:31:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rossiekerr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6de8d8/32.png) [@Rossiekerr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rossiekerr)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-like-make-up-on-girls/717542/1 "2015-04-13T02:31:55Z")
I know some guys do and some guys don’t.However I like wearing make up sometimes when I go to work.Also when I go out on date or a special occasion. I feel more attractive with make up on. I usually wear some powder foundation, eye liner, mascara and eye showdour.Is that too much? My crush from work noticed when i decided to wear make up for b the first time and said I looked great. So its safe to assume he likes make up on a woman? ---
**Author:** ![Neem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5fc32e/32.png) [@Neem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neem)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-like-make-up-on-girls/717542/2 "2015-04-13T03:06:58Z")
Typically when men say they don’t like makeup, they mean they don’t like makeup they notice. Which means bright lipstick, shimmery eyeshadow, obvious blush, etc. When I wear obvious makeup, I get no comments except the occasional woman appreciating my eyebrows or whatever. When I wear minimal makeup, I get comments of, “Wow, you look great without makeup!” When I wear no makeup, I get comments of, “Are you sick? Do you need to go home??” Many of my friends have a similar experience. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-like-make-up-on-girls/717542/3 "2015-04-13T04:17:58Z")
> [@Neem](#): > > Typically when men say they don’t like makeup, they mean they don’t like makeup they notice. Which means bright lipstick, shimmery eyeshadow, obvious blush, etc. Guy here and agreeing. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-like-make-up-on-girls/717542/4 "2015-04-13T04:37:46Z")
Less is more, but none is bad. I think that’s the way to sum up my take on it. Neem also described it pretty well. If I’m attracted to a woman, I want to be seeing her and not just what she’s painted onto herself. A little makeup can help to bring out the best, but it shouldn’t be changing or covering up anything. ---
**Author:** ![CaptainAmerica\_1987](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@CaptainAmerica\_1987](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptainAmerica_1987)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-like-make-up-on-girls/717542/5 "2015-04-13T04:58:23Z")
No make up is good ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-like-make-up-on-girls/717542/6 "2015-04-13T05:15:22Z")
I vote for none at all, and my experiences do not accord with those of **Neem** or **kopek**. I don’t see any point in fingernail polish, either. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-like-make-up-on-girls/717542/7 "2015-04-13T05:26:53Z")
I never wear make-up, and I’ve never had any trouble finding me to go out with me (and I didn’t have a reputation for being “easy” either-- quite the opposite, in fact). The one I married was about the fourth one who asked. For better or for worse, when you don’t wear make-up, you attract men you don’t like it. That means the occasional odd bird, or overgrown hippie with conspiracy theories, but it usually mean men who are looking for more than arm candy. Also, if you don’t wear make-up, you tend to look pretty much the same in the morning, just a little tousled, and that’s a big turn-on for some men. ETA: I’ve met at least three men who say that the smell of make-up is a real turn off, by which I assume they mean foundation; I can’t think I little mascara and lipstick would smell that much, but what do I know? ---
**Author:** ![stui\_magpie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stui_magpie/32/11010_2.png) [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-like-make-up-on-girls/717542/8 "2015-04-13T05:28:56Z")
I’d say light makeup is good, to hilight the facial features. If you trowel stuff on to try to cover blemishes, not good. When my daughter was young and first starting to experiment with makeup I used to point to Mimi on the Drew Carey show as an example of how NOT to do it. She learned well. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-like-make-up-on-girls/717542/9 "2015-04-13T05:47:05Z")
Make up please. I’m not a fan of the super freakishly long fake eyelashes though. The look like they weigh about five pounds a piece. ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-like-make-up-on-girls/717542/10 "2015-04-13T07:03:23Z")
Sometimes it’s just too much. Why are we late, again? Because you’re still in the mirror? ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-like-make-up-on-girls/717542/11 "2015-04-13T07:08:25Z")
Unless they’re specifically applying make up to attract guys, or there are other personal/professional considerations involved, I don’t see why women should care. Even then, as this thread clearly demonstrates, it’s still a crap shoot, so they should just do whatever they want. ---
**Author:** ![Toxylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-like-make-up-on-girls/717542/12 "2015-04-13T07:10:23Z")
I’ve been in a relationship with a woman who wears heavy (well-made) makeup every day. Now I’m with a woman who almost never wears any makeup, or even use any skin care products. As noticed, a really good thing about the present situation is that she looks the same in the morning, not like almost a different person. Beauty is all in the bone structure, anyway 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![polar\_bear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ec9cab/32.png) [@polar\_bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/polar_bear)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-like-make-up-on-girls/717542/13 "2015-04-13T07:10:44Z")
Too much definitely bad… but as Neem and others have said, a little can go a long way. Depending on the girl, none can really work as well… often you’ll find that the more make up someone uses (or the more often), the more they need it. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-like-make-up-on-girls/717542/14 "2015-04-13T07:24:35Z")
My opinion counts for almost nothing in these matters, but I prefer no make-up on women, even though sometimes, when professionally applied, it truly does make some look fantastic. Having said that, in special circumstances it’s appropriate and, as long as it’s not caked on, I don’t mind. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-like-make-up-on-girls/717542/15 "2015-04-13T07:52:23Z")
I agree with **Neem** that men who say they prefer no makeup really mean they like light makeup. For my taste, both light makeup and a more dolled-up look (provided that it’s done skillfully) have their merits. ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-like-make-up-on-girls/717542/16 "2015-04-13T07:57:18Z")
Light, conservative makeup can look really nice. There’s always that fine line, light eyeliner = sexy, heavy eyeliner = horror movie. ---
**Author:** ![Saturn\_Dreams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Saturn\_Dreams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saturn_Dreams)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-like-make-up-on-girls/717542/17 "2015-04-13T08:07:29Z")
A former gf worked as a cosmetologist for Shiseido and travelled around west Japan teaching department store cosmeticians how to apply their makeup. Normally, I prefer a light, natural style, but her professionally applied makeup was one the first things I noticed that made her visually attractive. At first, I didn’t mind the heavy makeup because it was so well done but as time went on, it bothered me that the only time I saw her “real” face was after a bath at night, and first thing in the morning when we woke up. It was like she had two different faces. Even if we had nothing planned for the day, the first thing she would do even before breakfast was to put on her makeup. I asked her why she was always in “work mode” with a fully made-up face and her answer was she felt prettier, thus better, this way. That’s not the reason we broke up, but after her, I made it a point not to date women who wore heavy makeup. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-like-make-up-on-girls/717542/18 "2015-04-13T08:31:29Z")
> [@Neem](#): > > Typically when men say they don’t like makeup, they mean they don’t like makeup they notice. Which means bright lipstick, shimmery eyeshadow, obvious blush, etc. > > When I wear obvious makeup, I get no comments except the occasional woman appreciating my eyebrows or whatever. > > When I wear minimal makeup, I get comments of, “Wow, you look great without makeup!” > > When I wear no makeup, I get comments of, “Are you sick? Do you need to go home??” > > Many of my friends have a similar experience. Ding!! Ding!! Ding!! We have a winner. 🆒 We don’t tend to be the most perceptive bunch. Don’t _tend_ to like makeup on a woman. It makes her looked like a painted up whore. Ya know? ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-like-make-up-on-girls/717542/19 "2015-04-13T10:22:16Z")
The purpose of makeup is to make people think you are a natural beauty. If people can tell that you are wearing it, then you are not doing it right. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-like-make-up-on-girls/717542/20 "2015-04-13T10:25:06Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > I vote for none at all, and my experiences do not accord with those of **Neem** or **kopek**. To be a little blunt though–isn’t this a case where you would be unlikely to know whether your experiences accord with those of **Neem**? (I don’t take **Kopek** to be relating experience, but rather opinion.) If it’s true (as most women report) that guys tend to mistake a certain style of makeup for “no makeup,” then shouldn’t you be skeptical of your belief that you prefer women without makeup? Isn’t it more likely that, unbeknownst to you, what you prefer is a certain style of makeup which you _thought_ consisted in no makeup? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-do-you-like-make-up-on-girls/717542.md?page=2)