# Women sexier with/without makeup **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 15, 2002, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-sexier-with-without-makeup/109156 "2002-05-15T05:06:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![lolagranola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ea5d25/32.png) [@lolagranola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lolagranola)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2002, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-sexier-with-without-makeup/109156/21 "2002-05-15T17:03:11Z")
I like wearing make-up. It’s part of the whole dressing up thing that I enjoy. I like feeling pretty, and it adds confidence. OTOH, I now have enough confidence to walk out of the house without make-up. I feel far more comfortable in my own skin then I did ten years ago. A decade ago, I would have never left the house without make-up on. Now? If I don’t look as good without make-up, that’s fine. I don’t feel a need to look great every second of the day. I am who I am. If I have time to put on make-up, I do. If I don’t, no big deal. ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2002, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-sexier-with-without-makeup/109156/22 "2002-05-15T17:27:21Z")
If I could apply makeup that would look natural and make me look prettier, I would. I can’t, so I don’t. I have a great deal of respect for women who can pull it off. I’ve never been able to–and believe me, in high school, I _tried_, and I just ended up looking like a freak. I think sometimes that maybe my problem was that all I had in high school was _cheap_ makeup, and maybe if I invested in some good stuff, I could make myself look fabulous, but I wouldn’t know what the good stuff is . . . so I’d probably require the aid of an unbiased professional or something. Plus, then I’d have to learn to do it right, and, considering the sheer volume of periodical space dedicated to the topic, I think I’d have a _lot_ of homework to do. Altogether too much trouble. ---
**Author:** ![Chekmate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/46a35a/32.png) [@Chekmate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chekmate)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2002, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-sexier-with-without-makeup/109156/23 "2002-05-15T17:42:12Z")
Makeup: Sure, it looks good on occasion, if used lightly and well placed, but on the whole, I would rather have no makeup then makeup. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2002, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-sexier-with-without-makeup/109156/24 "2002-05-15T18:29:08Z")
“I’m not too concerned about what I look like most of the time . . .” —You see, I see THIS as an unhealthy attitude. I consider making a good appearance an act of politeness toward others. “Always look your best.” I try to dress well, make sure I am well-groomed, and have a pleasant expression on my pan. I think “not caring what you look like” exhibits a lack of self-esteem and a lack of consideration for others. And, no, I don’t mean going out with a ton of makeup on. I said looking “good,” not looking “like Tammy Faye Bakker.” ---
**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2002, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-sexier-with-without-makeup/109156/25 "2002-05-15T18:33:36Z")
Well, they certainly taste better without makeup. Tris ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2002, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-sexier-with-without-makeup/109156/26 "2002-05-15T18:47:12Z")
It all depends, really, on the individual. A girl at my school cakes her makeup on, has foundation that’s a few shades too dark, etc, and she’d probably look much better without as much gunk (in my opinion, of course). But there are others I know who look more polished when they have their face on. Myself: I do _not_ wear foundation. All foundation I’ve tried has been too dark anyway, and it makes my skin flake horribly, even if I’ve moisturised properly. I wear sunblock daily (I have to). Most of the time I wear eyeshadow, liner, and mascara. It takes a total of 5 - 10 minutes to do and I’m done. I also have various lip balms and glosses, but for some reason, I cannot feel comfortable wearing lipstick. ---
**Author:** ![DeadlyAccurate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@DeadlyAccurate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadlyAccurate)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2002, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-sexier-with-without-makeup/109156/27 "2002-05-15T19:20:33Z")
Sorry, **Eve** , but I respectfully disagree. I’m just like **dragongirl** except that I wear makeup even less often than she does. I’m very comfortable in my appearance, even though going without makeup makes me look much plainer than when I slap the stuff on. I’m always saddened to see a very attractive woman hiding her natural beauty behind tons of gunk because she doesn’t have the confidence to be seen the way she was born. > [@](#): > > I think it’s a self esteem issue. For some reason, maybe they don’t feel good enough about themselves to go around with out it. Maybe they are afraid of being judged because they might not look their best. Exactly my thought on the matter. I once saw two girls fully made up, mascara and all, at the paintball field on a hot day. These girls were playing, mind you, which meant covering their faces with a mask half the time. A mask that doesn’t breathe well. They looked like racoons in no time. I love not wearing makeup. My skin isn’t so hot and I can wipe my face and my eyes without worrying that I just smeared something. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2002, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-sexier-with-without-makeup/109156/28 "2002-05-15T19:22:36Z")
All men who have answered this thus far fail. The correct answer is, “All women are beautiful, with or without makeup.” ---
**Author:** ![In\_Conceivable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/4bbf92/32.png) [@In\_Conceivable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/In_Conceivable)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2002, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-sexier-with-without-makeup/109156/29 "2002-05-15T19:40:47Z")
Every morning I wash my face and put on moisturizer and sun screen. I wear foundation, powder, blush, eye shadow, mascara and either lip balm or lip stick almost every day. It takes me less then 10 minutes to get made up in the morning. Another 10 to dry my hair and put on my clothes and I am out the door. I definitely look and feel better with the makeup then without. Most people think I don’t wear any makeup. I think that it is very important to have good foundation that matches your skin tone. You shouldn’t “feel” good foundation on your face and it shouldn’t wipe off easily. I took advantage of a lot of “free” makeovers until I found a foundation that was worth spending the money on. I can’t imagine why it would take anyone 2 hours to do their makeup. ---
**Author:** ![Hamadryad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6de8d8/32.png) [@Hamadryad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamadryad)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2002, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-sexier-with-without-makeup/109156/30 "2002-05-15T20:01:31Z")
When I rub my eyes or scratch my forehead, I want my hands to stay clean. When I lick my lips, I want them to taste like lips, not like wax and fish scales. My biggest facial flaw is huge bags under my eyes, and no amount of concealer has ever taken care of that, so why bother? I’ve been known to wear makeup on occasion, but most of the time I just don’t see the point. Then again, I also have a sort of “If you don’t like the face the way it is, you don’t have to dwell on it” attitude. I’m FAR more concerned about the sad and repulsive state of my bod than that of my face…and unfortunately “pot-belly concealer” isn’t on the market and I hate girdles. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![dragongirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b38774/32.png) [@dragongirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dragongirl)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2002, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-sexier-with-without-makeup/109156/31 "2002-05-15T20:14:58Z")
Originally posted by Eve > [@](#): > > —You see, I see THIS as an unhealthy attitude. I consider making a good appearance an act of politeness toward others. “Always look your best.” I try to dress well, make sure I am well-groomed, and have a pleasant expression on my pan. I think “not caring what you look like” exhibits a lack of self-esteem and a lack of consideration for others. I don’t feel that it’s rude or inconsiderate to anyone. I know a lot of women that are always made up, and I really don’t want to spend any time with them at all because they are just unpleasant people. Of course that’s not all women. I just think that if someone is going to decide to talk to me or not based on the amount of make-up I wear then that’s not a person I’m going to worry about. I really don’t understand how not wearing make-up exhibits a lack of self esteem. I think it just says that I’m satisfied with who I am and I’m not too worried about it if someone else isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![dragongirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b38774/32.png) [@dragongirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dragongirl)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2002, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-sexier-with-without-makeup/109156/32 "2002-05-15T20:16:53Z")
Oh, I forgot, just because I don’t wear make-up doesn’t mean I’m not well groomed. ---
**Author:** ![DeadlyAccurate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@DeadlyAccurate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadlyAccurate)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2002, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-sexier-with-without-makeup/109156/33 "2002-05-15T20:36:15Z")
My dad once told me I should wear makeup because it would make me pretty. I told him if he didn’t like the way I looked it was his fault anyway. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![El\_Elvis\_Rojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@El\_Elvis\_Rojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Elvis_Rojo)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2002, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-sexier-with-without-makeup/109156/34 "2002-05-15T20:53:22Z")
It all depends, I think. Most of the women I’ve known are damn sexy without makeup, but a little bit of lipstick, a dash of eyeliner, and it can take “damn she’s pretty,” to “Ghhhuuuaaaa…” But then again, that also depends on my personal state as well 🙂 My old roomate’s girlfriend looked absolutely **HORRIFYING** when she wore makeup. Personally, unless we’re going out somewhere nice or dressing up, I don’t care one way or the other. On those few occassions, I look at it more as part of dressing up, and either way, I find her beautiful. So, unless it makes them look scary, I don’t care. ---
**Author:** ![Gundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Gundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gundy)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2002, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-sexier-with-without-makeup/109156/35 "2002-05-15T21:16:49Z")
I see makeup as a kinda fun and nifty thing to do and a way to improve your appearance, or at least change it to suit your mood. Why is caring about your appearance so horrible, anyway? How much is an acceptable amount of time by your standards to devote to personal appearance? 'Cause I’ll tell ya, I love makeup. All the pretty colors and sparklies! If I want to match my eyelids to my sweater then by Jeebus I’ll do it. It’s not because I’m worried the counter guy at the deli will think I’m a troll without eyeliner, it’s because I think it looks spiffy. I like the way I look with it AND without it. Why the presumption that people who routinely wear makeup care what people think of their looks, anyway? So kindly spare me your concern for my self-esteem. It’s quite healthy, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2002, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-sexier-with-without-makeup/109156/36 "2002-05-16T00:20:28Z")
I personally think I look good and natural without it. Plus I hate putting “stuff” on my face…just feels weird. I tend to look younger than I actually am, so wearing make up might make me look like I’m trying too hard. All in all, I really can’t see myself ever using it… ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2002, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-sexier-with-without-makeup/109156/37 "2002-05-16T03:04:56Z")
I think Gundy hit it. Sometimes I’ll put on nail polish for the hell of it. I think it looks fab, and Gods know I don’t wear it when I’m gonna be in a situation where my appearance will count for much. The odd thing is I wear more makeup than **dr\_mom\_mcl** ever has. She’s over fifty now, but she has a great complexion, which I think is partly associated with never having worn makeup. ---
**Author:** ![tallinu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6de8d8/32.png) [@tallinu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tallinu)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2002, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-sexier-with-without-makeup/109156/38 "2002-05-16T03:05:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by throatshot \* > \*\*My dad once told me I should wear makeup because it would make me pretty. I told him if he didn’t like the way I looked it was his fault anyway. 😃 \*\* Now THAT’s funny… With your permission, I’ll tell my sisters that one. Our dad is great, but a little antiquidated on some things… My whole take (and the only one IMO that males who do not wear makeup should have) is that if a woman wears makeup, great, if a woman doesn’t wear makeup, great. Not too hard… ---
**Author:** ![Magickly\_Delicious](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magickly\_Delicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magickly_Delicious)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2002, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-sexier-with-without-makeup/109156/39 "2002-05-16T03:25:03Z")
I like makeup. I have a feeling I’d look a lot better if I’d learn the subtle thing. I’ve been slowly getting better at it, but it’s been a long haul to get this far (no makeup skills, yes yes). I like to think my powder and foundation cover up my blemishes and help make my skin look less oily, hopefully. The rest is just for fun, whatever I feel like wearing that day. ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2002, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-sexier-with-without-makeup/109156/40 "2002-05-16T03:58:23Z")
I don’t like makeup. Just one of those things, I guess. I’ve never been attracted to a woman with noticeable makeup. It seems to be such a waste of time to me. One woman spent at least a half an hour putting on making to get ready to go on a camping trip. I’m sure the weeds and bugs were impressed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-sexier-with-without-makeup/109156.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-sexier-with-without-makeup/109156.md?page=3)