# People of male persuasion: What does "no make up" mean? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 13, 2015, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-of-male-persuasion-what-does-no-make-up-mean/717555 "2015-04-13T11:35:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-of-male-persuasion-what-does-no-make-up-mean/717555/21 "2015-04-13T16:04:35Z")
I picked the “minimal amount of makeup” option because while I understand the literal definition of “no make up” is literally none. But if someone comes up to me and says “I love how naturally pretty Tiffany is! She never wears makeup and is gorgeous” I am making the assumption that Tiffany is, in fact, wearing SOME makeup. So I basically went with the spirit of the law and not the letter of the law on that one ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-of-male-persuasion-what-does-no-make-up-mean/717555/22 "2015-04-13T16:06:49Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > These women are probably the ones who say broken cookies have no calories. And sorta believe it. the package gives calories per cookie. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-of-male-persuasion-what-does-no-make-up-mean/717555/23 "2015-04-13T16:08:45Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > My default face is light makeup. I wear concealer around the eyes, a little eyeliner, and lipstick. Despite this, more than a couple of guys have praised me for not wearing any makeup, and I’m like WTF? Context matters here. The OP is phrased very specifically and is going to elicit literal interpretations from guys. If we’re going to mention a woman’s makeup to her we’re not going to say “I like the way you look with just a little bit of makeup that isn’t distracting, clownish, or garish”. We’ll just go with something simpler and look for your reaction. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-of-male-persuasion-what-does-no-make-up-mean/717555/24 "2015-04-13T16:11:26Z")
I don’t define the term. I leave it up to wearers of make up to decide what it means. That includes men who wear make up. I expect that, like a lot of jargon, it isn’t meant literally. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-of-male-persuasion-what-does-no-make-up-mean/717555/25 "2015-04-13T16:16:15Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Context matters here. The OP is phrased very specifically and is going to elicit literal interpretations from guys. If we’re going to mention a woman’s makeup to her we’re not going to say “I like the way you look with just a little bit of makeup that isn’t distracting, clownish, or garish”. We’ll just go with something simpler and look for your reaction. You make a good point. If a guy told me he liked how I looked with makeup on, this would not feel like an endorsement of my natural beauty and I’d feel embarrassed. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-of-male-persuasion-what-does-no-make-up-mean/717555/26 "2015-04-13T16:16:19Z")
> [@Dervorin](#): > > Literal definition. No make up. There is no make up here. It has ceased to be. This make up has gone to meet its maker (up). and may I take this opportunity of emphasizing that there is no cannibalism in the British Navy. Absolutely none, and when I say none, I mean there is a certain amount ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-of-male-persuasion-what-does-no-make-up-mean/717555/27 "2015-04-13T16:20:58Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > I’ve known women who consider “just a little lip gloss” or “just a tad of eyeliner” to mean that they’re not wearing makeup. Those women are mistaken. To me, there are different connotations between “She’s wearing no makeup” and “She’s not wearing makeup” and “She’s not made up.” It’s kind of similar to the distinction between “She’s not wearing clothes” (meaning she’s naked) and “She’s not dressed” (meaning she’s in her pajamas or something like that) and “She’s not dressed up” (meaning she’s wearing something casual). ---
**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, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-of-male-persuasion-what-does-no-make-up-mean/717555/28 "2015-04-13T16:24:33Z")
I’ve never heard the word “base” in my life to refer to anything except primer. (Which you can’t see.) I guess it’s an old fashioned word for foundation? Google seems to return results for basic makeup looks when I search it so I am not sure. ---
**Author:** ![dba\_Fred](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c37758/32.png) [@dba\_Fred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dba_Fred)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-of-male-persuasion-what-does-no-make-up-mean/717555/29 "2015-04-13T16:40:57Z")
So women are using _no_ in “I’m using no make up” the way we guys use _no_ in “No those jeans don’t make you look fat”? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-of-male-persuasion-what-does-no-make-up-mean/717555/30 "2015-04-13T17:45:28Z")
No means no! ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-of-male-persuasion-what-does-no-make-up-mean/717555/31 "2015-04-13T17:46:56Z")
None means none. If she’s wearing some makeup, then…she’s wearing some makeup. ---
**Author:** ![Marion\_Wormer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@Marion\_Wormer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marion_Wormer)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-of-male-persuasion-what-does-no-make-up-mean/717555/32 "2015-04-13T18:10:32Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > While I believe that many men think that the “no makeup look” literally means “none at all”, I also believe that many men seeing the “no makeup look” on women are actually seeing the results of much effort with makeup to achieve the “no makeup look”. May I make a comment regarding this? I’m a woman in her 60’s. 99% of the time ‘no makeup’ for work. The greetings are “Hi Marion.” On the days I make myself up with non-noticeable makeup the men are like “hellloooo there…” I don’t think men know what ‘no makeup’ is. **No Makeup is** blotchy skin and unseeable eyelashes unless you’re a really lucky woman (or 14) even 20 year olds have skin issues… ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-of-male-persuasion-what-does-no-make-up-mean/717555/33 "2015-04-13T18:32:22Z")
> [@Marion\_Wormer](#): > > I don’t think men know what ‘no makeup’ is. **No Makeup is** blotchy skin and unseeable eyelashes unless you’re a really lucky woman (or 14) even 20 year olds have skin issues… We know exactly what it is, because 99.9999% of the men we encounter are not wearing any. And we’re not repulsed by the blotchy skin and thin eyelashes of our male coworkers. Personally, I don’t mind facial imperfections at all. Bring on the blotchy skin and dark circles! If I see someone with unusually smooth skin for their age, I find that I naturally look a little closer to tell if it’s concealer or whatever they call it. And if I find it, I don’t particularly like it. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-of-male-persuasion-what-does-no-make-up-mean/717555/34 "2015-04-13T18:56:52Z")
I wear no makeup, meaning no makeup. Why should a woman be any different? ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-of-male-persuasion-what-does-no-make-up-mean/717555/35 "2015-04-13T19:02:05Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > We know exactly what it is, because 99.9999% of the men we encounter are not wearing any. And we’re not repulsed by the blotchy skin and thin eyelashes of our male coworkers. Presumably you’re not repulsed by bearded men, either. But I guarantee you my love life would be a lot tougher if I sported whiskers and 5 o’clock shadow. Men and women are held to very different standards, obviously. ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-of-male-persuasion-what-does-no-make-up-mean/717555/36 "2015-04-13T19:03:55Z")
No means zero, zip, zilch, nada… That doesn’t mean small amounts can’t be perceived as not wearing any. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-of-male-persuasion-what-does-no-make-up-mean/717555/37 "2015-04-13T19:55:35Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > It means she is wearing no make up. There are alternate meanings? I’m confused. This. I get up, wash my face and i am ready to go. I am wearing no make up. How could it mean anything else? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-of-male-persuasion-what-does-no-make-up-mean/717555/38 "2015-04-13T20:05:08Z")
To me, no makeup means she is wearing the same amount of makeup I am - ie none. I do however understand that some women have different definitions of the term, which can include the use of some makeup. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-of-male-persuasion-what-does-no-make-up-mean/717555/39 "2015-04-13T20:43:32Z")
> [@Marion\_Wormer](#): > > I don’t think men know what ‘no makeup’ is. **No Makeup is** blotchy skin and unseeable eyelashes unless you’re a really lucky woman (or 14) even 20 year olds have skin issues… Oh My God, SKIN??? Eyelashes that don’t look like beckoning oases in the desert?? Next you’re going to tell me some women have arm hair and cellulite! How grotesque! I don’t understand how women can function in a world where men who aren’t clowns or professional actors bare their face and eyes _every single day_. It has to be so disgusting seeing people of the opposite sex as they actually are. Obviously, no one prefers looking at unpainted humans! Anyone who thinks so really just likes minimal amounts face paint because some woman fooled them in the past. Certainly, no woman ever walks out the door with no make up on at all! So the guys who say “I prefer women who don’t wear makeup” are mistaken, because it’s not possible for them to have ever seen such a woman. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-of-male-persuasion-what-does-no-make-up-mean/717555/40 "2015-04-13T21:06:26Z")
> [@Marion\_Wormer](#): > > even 20 year olds have skin issues… So? You’re still beautiful. The number of fucks that men give about a lot of things seem to vastly overestimated by a lot of women. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-of-male-persuasion-what-does-no-make-up-mean/717555.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-of-male-persuasion-what-does-no-make-up-mean/717555.md?page=3)