# Poll for women who wear makeup on a regular basis
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-women-who-wear-makeup-on-a-regular-basis/483595
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [January 29, 2009, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-women-who-wear-makeup-on-a-regular-basis/483595 "2009-01-29T19:16:32Z")
**Posts on this page:** 17
**Page:** 4
### Author:  [@LVgeogeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVgeogeek)
#### Post date: [January 30, 2009, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-women-who-wear-makeup-on-a-regular-basis/483595/61 "2009-01-30T21:10:40Z")
So for those of you who wear makeup on a regular or semi-regular basis:
A) How long does it take to apply your usual makeup?
Generally around five minutes or less. That’s for eyeshadow “primer”, 2 eyeshadow colors, eyeliner pencil and mascara.
B) Do you do your makeup differently for special occasions?
I add foundation with brush only in areas that need a little coverage and dust on some oil control powder and maybe put some lipliner/lipstick on
C) If so, how long does that take?
Maybe 5-10 extra minutes.
D) If either A or B takes longer than 15 minutes, what accounts for that time?
Not applicable.
I am amazed that it can take some women forever to apply makeup. What are they putting it on with a 1-haired brush??
Now, granted it takes me about an hour to get ready, but that includes my doing my hair (drying and styling), slathering moisturizer, eye cream and sunscreen on my face and letting that “set-up”, putting my makeup on, getting dressed and heading for the door.
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### Author:  [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)
#### Post date: [January 30, 2009, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-women-who-wear-makeup-on-a-regular-basis/483595/62 "2009-01-30T22:02:43Z")
I use Monistat anti-chafing gel for its intended purpose, so I don’t like the idea of using the same product for my face and, you know, my underboob area and inner thighs. I guess if you had separate tubes… ? It’s been so long since I’ve had oily skin problems I guess it struck me as very strange, maybe she uses it as an under-foundation primer as someone suggested.
To answer the OP, for a very special occasion, I may go to fifteen minutes on the makeup. That’s full face, including what my husband calls “big eyes” (primer, more than one shadow, eyeliner, mascara). Daily office makeup is less than five minutes - moisturizer, quick foundation, powder, quick eyeliner, quick shadow to set, quick eyeliner, quick brush of blush if I feel like it, and done. I’ll apply some lip gloss or whatever on the run. I played with makeup a lot as a teenager, so I can apply it pretty quickly.
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### Author:  [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)
#### Post date: [January 30, 2009, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-women-who-wear-makeup-on-a-regular-basis/483595/63 "2009-01-30T22:05:50Z")
> [@DianaG](#):
>
> It wouldn’t be my product of choice (but ask me about Prescriptives Line Preventor!), but it \*would \* serve to fill in any fine lines and provide a super-smooth surface for the makeup. Not that fine lines should be a problem for a girl that age.
But wouldn’t any moisturizer fit the bill for that? It’s not like they don’t already sell a huge array of things that are intended for the face. I’m just wondering why someone would look at their Monistat anti chafing cream and think, “Hmmm, that would go great on my face.”
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### Author:  [@Orual](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orual)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2009, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-women-who-wear-makeup-on-a-regular-basis/483595/64 "2009-01-31T01:49:07Z")
_A) How long does it take to apply your usual makeup?_
5-10 minutes for: tinted moisturizer, powder, blush, mascara and lip gloss. Sometimes concealer.
_B) Do you do your makeup differently for special occasions?_
Yes, I will add eyeliner and eyeshadow.
_C) If so, how long does that take?_
Probably closer to 15 minutes. I prefer to go slowly with an eyeliner pencil, as it can be quite pointy.
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### Author:  [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)
#### Post date: [February 2, 2009, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-women-who-wear-makeup-on-a-regular-basis/483595/65 "2009-02-02T14:31:43Z")
In the interest of accuracy, I want to revise my answer. I timed myself this morning when I applied:
sunscreen
eye cream
foundation
concealer
eyeliner
curled eyelashes
mascara
chapstick
It took 11 minutes, and I did it without any dawdling. I had significantly underestimated how long this takes, and I actually should have waited a little longer after applying sunscreen before applying foundation, to let the sunscreen absorb better.
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### Author:  [@Monstera\_deliciosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monstera_deliciosa)
#### Post date: [February 2, 2009, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-women-who-wear-makeup-on-a-regular-basis/483595/66 "2009-02-02T15:12:47Z")
Thanks again to everyone who replied. I suppose I knew that the “hour to put on makeup” in the thread that inspired me to start this one was an exaggeration meant to include all the elements of getting ready, but I still didn’t care for the somewhat scornful tone. And I was genuinely curious about how long it does take different women to apply their makeup. I did time myself before I started the thread. I didn’t hurry; I just did what I normally do, and I finished in 5 minutes.
Incidentally, I’ve tried Bare Minerals, and I while I like the concept, I didn’t think the execution was all that. Too fussy, too glittery, and too much bother to mix two colors to match my skin tone. I’ve found that the Physician’s Formula Mineral Makeup (powder) works better for me, much cheaper and with less mess.
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### Author:  [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)
#### Post date: [February 2, 2009, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-women-who-wear-makeup-on-a-regular-basis/483595/67 "2009-02-02T15:42:16Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#):
>
> But wouldn’t any moisturizer fit the bill for that?
No, moisturizer sinks into the skin (as it should!). The Monistat (or any of the products actually \*designed \*for use as makeup primer) sits on the surface of the face and fills in lines, smooths out small scars, etc.
I actually timed myself putting on my makeup yesterday, and it was four minutes. But again, everything I use (except liner and mascara, of course) is super sheer, chosen carefully for my coloring, and doesn’t require a whole lot of blending.
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### Author:  [@Jennyrosity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennyrosity)
#### Post date: [February 2, 2009, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-women-who-wear-makeup-on-a-regular-basis/483595/68 "2009-02-02T21:06:11Z")
A) How long does it take to apply your usual makeup?
Five minutes, usually - foundation (or tinted moisturiser in the summer), liquid blusher, eyebrow pencil and mascara (my brows and lashes are really pale and spindly compared to the hair on my head). If I’m really in a hurry the last two get done on the tube!
B) Do you do your makeup differently for special occasions?
Yes, I take more time and add eye shadows, eye liner, some kind of highlighter, lipstick or gloss - it depends on what sort of look I’m going for.
C) If so, how long does that take?
15 - 20 minutes, maybe
D) If either A or B takes longer than 15 minutes, what accounts for that time?
Getting it right - I can be a bit cack-handed - and experimenting. I quite enjoy putting on make-up for special occasions, I like to have a play around and try new looks.
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### Author:  [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)
#### Post date: [February 2, 2009, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-women-who-wear-makeup-on-a-regular-basis/483595/69 "2009-02-02T23:58:22Z")
> [@DianaG](#):
>
> No, moisturizer sinks into the skin (as it should!). The Monistat (or any of the products actually \*designed \*for use as makeup primer) sits on the surface of the face and fills in lines, smooths out small scars, etc.
Oh, cool. Consider my ignorance fought.
As you pointed out earlier, though, the girl in the link is pretty young. I’m around that age…is using primer going to make a huge difference for someone that age with few, if any, fine lines/wrinkles? Or does primer just make the whole face just generally look smoother?
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### Author:  [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)
#### Post date: [February 3, 2009, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-women-who-wear-makeup-on-a-regular-basis/483595/70 "2009-02-03T01:21:20Z")
Given what she looked like before makeup, the Monistat won’t make much, if any, difference in her appearance. The only reasons I can think of for her to use it are that she feels that it prevents the makeup from sinking into her pores and clogging them (which is possible, I suppose), or that she just feels “the more products the better” which certainly seems to be the case.
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### Author:  [@PastAllReason](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastAllReason)
#### Post date: [February 3, 2009, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-women-who-wear-makeup-on-a-regular-basis/483595/71 "2009-02-03T01:28:22Z")
My ordinary routine takes somewhere between 5-10 minutes:
Moisturizer, concealer where appropriate, mineral foundation, blush, mascara, couple shades of eyeshadow, and lipgloss. Though I’m usually putting the lipgloss on while I’m sitting at a red light somewhere, so that isn’t really counted into the getting ready time.
Special event makeup:
Powder over top, maybe eyeliner.
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### Author:  [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)
#### Post date: [February 3, 2009, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-women-who-wear-makeup-on-a-regular-basis/483595/72 "2009-02-03T02:10:52Z")
If we have plans to go out, I start to get ready an hour before we have to leave. That means:
Take a shower
Shave legs and pits
Moisterize all over
Blow dry my hair
Curl or straighten as necessary
Put on as much makeup as I ever wear…
Moisterizer
Concealer
Foundation
Powder
Eyeliner
Shadow in 3 colors
Curl lashes
Primer
Mascara
Blush
Lip Liner
Lipstick
Get dressed - including hose, proper foundation garments and finding the right shoes
Change jewelery
Switch purses
I’m still ready half an hour before we have to leave.
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### Author:  [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)
#### Post date: [February 3, 2009, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-women-who-wear-makeup-on-a-regular-basis/483595/73 "2009-02-03T19:34:17Z")
A) How long does it take to apply your usual makeup? 5-7 minutes. Liquid foundation, underneath-eyes black pencil eyeliner, curling eyelashes
B) Do you do your makeup differently for special occasions? Yes
C) If so, how long does that take? Usually take a bit longer, always under 10 minutes. It would include blush, a light eyeshadow (maybe), and mascara.
I assume “makeup” does not include grooming, such as hair, nails, or plucking eyebrows/stray hairs.
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### Author:  [@badbadrubberpiggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badbadrubberpiggy)
#### Post date: [February 3, 2009, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-women-who-wear-makeup-on-a-regular-basis/483595/74 "2009-02-03T20:05:37Z")
> [@Monstera\_deliciosa](#):
>
> Incidentally, I’ve tried Bare Minerals, and I while I like the concept, I didn’t think the execution was all that. Too fussy, too glittery, and too much bother to mix two colors to match my skin tone. I’ve found that the Physician’s Formula Mineral Makeup (powder) works better for me, much cheaper and with less mess.
I like the Physician’s Formula, but they don’t have any foundations that are a good color for me (the only one that’s light enough is too yellow), so I’ve stuck with the Bare Minerals. I don’t use any of their glittery/shiny stuff, like the bronzer, though. I agree, glitter is not good (maybe sometimes on the eye area, not the rest of my face).
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### Author:  [@Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Plastic_Ninja)
#### Post date: [February 3, 2009, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-women-who-wear-makeup-on-a-regular-basis/483595/75 "2009-02-03T21:47:10Z")
Goodness, that girl was gorgeous before she started assaulting her face. ☹
I don’t wear makeup regularly but I am considering it. I just currently work at a place where makeup is incredibly uncommon outside the HR department. When I do, it’s:
foundation (not always)
powder
eyeshadow
mascara
lipstick
I use very small amounts of everything to smooth out the colors of my face. The foundation is subtle, the eyes and lips less so – I have nice dark eyes but they’re hidden by glasses, so any kind of eye treatment needs to be fairly dramatic. I used to wear dark wine-red lipstick in high school, but now I generally go for something slightly more natural. Can’t stand those nude lipsticks, though.
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### Author:  [@Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Plastic_Ninja)
#### Post date: [February 3, 2009, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-women-who-wear-makeup-on-a-regular-basis/483595/76 "2009-02-03T22:11:26Z")
Oh, duh. It took about 10 minutes, start to finish. Maybe a few minutes less for everyday, a few minutes more for special occasions.
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### Author:  [@Atomicflea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomicflea)
#### Post date: [February 3, 2009, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-women-who-wear-makeup-on-a-regular-basis/483595/77 "2009-02-03T22:38:08Z")
Well, I guess it’s \*\*alice\_in\_wonderland \*\*and I alone in the sea of high maintenance.
Most mornings, I do a full face of makeup at stop lights on my way to work. Maybe 10-15 minutes if I chuck the actual driving time.
On weekends, I usually don’t wear anything but mascara and gloss.
When I go out with the hubby or with the gals, I start by exfoliating and cleansing my face, moisturizer, primer, foundation, powder, shadow, mascara, liner, eyebrows, blush and lipstick/gloss. I use brushes and sponges and curlers and false individual lashes and about three different colors of shadow and blush on my cheeks and eyes. I routinely get told that my makeup looks natural, and I am obsessed with neutral colors. A night-out makeup session could run 45 min-an hour no problem. It’s like a spa day for me, I’m such a gurl.
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