Girls, why do we hide behind makeup?

Question

Ozanne · Accepted Answer

It is all about biology and we don't even know it. Do you know that in most species, the male is always the most naturally attractive? Take peacocks for example, among other birds. The males are usually the brightest, biggest, and most beautiful birds. Lions, same thing with their impressive manes. Gorillas, same thing with their silverbacks. The females of so many species are often just plain. That's where we as humans come in if we think of ourselves as animals.

If you look at male and female humans in their natural state, usually it's men who are naturally more attractive. (And please, I'm just saying generally, as I know this isn't always the case.) Men may disagree letting their sexual preference of women get in the way of noting their own gender's attractiveness, but it is true. To compensate for any lack-lustre brilliance we women may have, part of our mating dance is to be bright and appealing. In order to stand out from other women (our competition for mates) we fluff our hair, push up our boobs, put on some makeup and try to catch the male's attention.

So to answer your question "why" do we do this? -- I disagree that we are "hiding behind makeup" -- I think that we wear makeup to stand out and emphasize the feminine parts of us to make ourselves appealing for a mate. We wear lipstick to make our lips luscious (a sexual attraction). We wear mascara to make our lashes seem full (a sign of youthfulness, hence an indication of being within child-bearing age). We wear blush/rouge to give colour to the cheeks (an implication of vitality, as a healthy mate is appealing). Foundation and powder is worn to even out or conceal the problem areas such as acne or wrinkles to try and fool our mate to think our skin is youthful and healthy. We do all these things to enhance our beauty or make it brilliant. We may not even know we're doing it, but it is all about biology and our underlying need to attract.

TSWIFT243 · Accepted Answer

I feel like makeup is okay as long as you're only enhancing your facial features.
However, if it's being used in a way that completely changes your facial features then it just seems like lying to everyone. I only use a little bit of makeup to hide some blemishes, and I sort of apply it in a way that still makes me look like me without makeup. I just don't understand people who overdo it, you know?

sammy_31 · Answer

We use it because we aren't pretty, gorgeous, beautiful enough without it, according to society. See, the thing is that makeup should enhance your features not make you look like some other woman. I mean for the better, you should still look great without it but some girls legit are scared to take it off and walk around without it. They let the make up wear them instead of the other way around. I for one have no problem wearing no makeup, I don't look as pretty without it but oh well I still the same face :)

CocoRachelle · Answer

I prefer the natural look for day-to-day so I will use some brown/gold/copper tones to accent my eyes, and add mascara and a nude or light pink lip gloss. I don't wear foundation or face make up, but I do wash my face and moisturize.
People who put you down and say "you aren't pretty without make up" seem to be projecting their own insecurities and trying to bully you, plus it's sadly how our society is these days. Screw 'em! You do whatever you want and makes you feel good. I actually like blending the eye shadow neutrals, almost like painting. If it's a special occasion I like to do a bit more. It's fun to me.

whatsername · Answer

I think makeup is dumb and a waste of time. It's also bad for your skin and I refuse to wear it. No I don't look perfect without it, but I see no reason to hide behind dumb face paint. Everyone knows my lips are pink, my eyes don't have black lines around them, my eyelids aren't stupid colors that dont match my face, my eyelashes are long enough, and my face has a tiny bit of acne. Makeup is also really expensive and there are more important things that I could spend money on. The only time I ever wear makeup is if I have to perform and that is because it makes your face easier to see on stage.

Belleza2 · Answer

I honestly can say I love make up but here is the thing make up was designed to make women or girls to feel insecure about themselves! If someone calls you ugly without it then they should really look at themselves with makeup on because slamming pounds of it on is ugly in itself! Hey, I have blemishes here and there and I'm 27 (they got my age wrong) and I just don't care because when I was in high school girls who put makeup on have lines around their eyes or whatever you call it and I dont, the only time I put makeup on is when I go somewhere special and not pounds of if and yea I've been bullied also for not having makeup on

Anonymous · Answer

I feel beautiful without makeup. If its down time and someone has to see me without makeup, I don't have a problem. But on a daily basis, I love to enhance my look with makeup. It feels more polished and exaggerates some of my features.

I have a good skin care routine going as well now, and that helps. But I just got into makeup over the past two years or so. And I don't wear really heavy makeup usually.

But sexist standards and focus on women's faces and bodies historically plays a role in all of this, of course.

macncheese · Answer

Honestly, we only use it because everyone else does.
Think of it this way, if all these perfect looking girls didn't wear make-up, there would be no need to wear make up because we'd all look pretty much the same.
But these days, if you don't wear a little make-up, you feel plain.

Anonymous · Answer

I don't wear make-up ever but to be honest this idea that women are lying is so high school. Girls wear make-up because it's fun. If a girl is wearing black eye shadow and bright red lipstick she's not trying to fool you into thinking she naturally has black eyelids and cherry lips, she's trying to decorate herself, painting herself almost. If men have such an issue with women wearing make-up then they should only date women they've seen with no make-up but it's unfair to judge girls who like wearing it and because you're too stupid to realize she's wearing a lot.

Babaorom1 · Answer

Personally, I use it because I find it extremely fun to experiment with. And I feel more confident with it.
But I also feel pretty confident without, and that is the most important thing about this question to me.
Make-up is awesome, as long as we don't lose ourselves. I think you can apply as much make-up as you want (and even look like a freakin barbie) ONLY if you can also spend the day without any make-up on at all, and still feel awesome as you are.

kyrie_my_dearie · Answer

For those saying "make-up doesn't hide you", www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=contouring

There is nothing wrong with light eyeliner, mascara, foundation, and blush to enhance your skin and eyes but contouring changes the appearance of the shape of your face and your nose. I also shouldn't be able to wipe off your eyebrows. Don't even get me started on the stupid circle lenses...

ASchubz · Answer

I love make up because somehow it boost my confidence but as i get older (not that old, im 19. Lol) i am slowly getting used of no make up like no make up at all. I started puting make up at tge age of 15 and now im 19, i stopped I don't know why. I read an article on the internet saying as you grew older, you get to slowly unattached with makeup.

tinygirl02 · Answer

I wear make up because I enjoy applying it and changing the style around, but also because it makes me feel feminine and I suppose it gives me a little confidence because I can style myself, I wouldn't mind going out without make up tbh I don't wear it to make me feel prettier.

throwit · Answer

Being really pale, and having pale lids that kind of blend into the whites of my eyes and pale lashes, I think make up makes me look way better, plus coverup is a godsend.
When I'm out all pimpley and pale I feel like I stick out and people will stare at me and I'm very self conscious, so anything that makes me blend in, or makes me feel like I look good, helps my anxiety and my confidence.
Make up doesn't hide me, it makes me more confident to actually be seen in public

niahc · Answer

I'm sure part of the reason is that it makes us feel clean and prepared for the day, I find it is actually relaxing to put on makeup. I don't feel ugly without it, I just feel like I missed out on a routine that I am used to doing. I'm sure some people feel similar about things like ironing or showering every day. Its not like you wouldn't be fine if you don't do it every day but it just feels like you are in control of your life when you take the time for a daily routine

theAwkwardOne · Answer

We're scared of what people will think of who we truly are without the makeup. When we look in the mirror, all we see are our flaws, and we don't want other people to see those blemishes and see us only for them.
It's an awful way to be, I should know! But we just have to embrace ourselves the way we are, or at least the way we are with just a little bit of makeup!

Gk_11 · Answer

I wear it cause I want to look good for myself, not society.. I don't go out much anyway, so Im sick of people telling me, "Oh... Well, no one's looking at you, you don't have to put it on..." You know I couldn't care less about how people see me physically... So I guess I do it cause I like looking at a pretty girl in the mirror..

VoluptuousBrunette · Answer

I don't view it as hiding.
I view it as an extension of my beauty.
I don't think makeup makes you beautiful. It emphasizes our features.
I love makeup, I love trying new makeup. Only because it is simply art on your face. You can wear a little or a lot, either way it's not there to hide behind.

FinnishBeautyGirl · Answer

I'm pretty insecure about how I look. I have glasses and a MASSIVE NOSE (look my profile and give me your oppinion, plz?). I've never thinked I'm pretty or anything like that. I can't wear make-up cause my mom doesn't allow it. She thinks I'm too young. So, there's no way I could hide behind make up :/. I think we girls wear make-up to impress boys and cause we want to feel /be beautiful. But if you use tons of make-up it doesn't look beautiful anymore. So keep it simple ;)

Anonymous · Answer

I personally don't wear it to hide myself, if anything, Im hiding myself if I try to be all "bare face", "no filter", its fun! Why is everyone so serious about makeup, its not your face, its someone else's face, what they do with it is their business. I dont think I am ugly without makeup, I just wear it when im going out with my friends and I want to play with colors!

Anonymous · Answer

It's not necessarily that we are "hiding" behind the makeup. Makeup makes our features stick out more and cover flaws. It has been an accepted part of society for many years. In fact if we start questioning wearing makeup we should start questioning wearing bras as well since they are there just to support and lift our breasts for men to see. Makeup is a nurture source in psychology based on our society

Anonymous · Answer

I think of myself as being very beautiful. The only reason I tend to wear foundation is to hide acne scars. & the rest of the makeup I wear is to enhance the features I already have. I don't necessarily think we are hiding ourselves. We are beautiful with or without makeup.

Anonymous · Answer

Because we can - it's acceptable to wear it. If a guy could cover his spots I'm sure he would do the same.
Make up allows us to cover the insecurities and enhance our features. Though some feel more confident it is sad that women now rely on it so heavily. But it's purely because it's socially acceptable now to do so.

ObviouslyBored · Answer

Full face make up is legit lying to me. I enhance what's already there. Gloss, brows, maybe mascara.. if he doesn't like my bare face why would I present him with a face full of lies?

Justsocrazy · Answer

Im very self concious. I have anorexia, social anxiety and depression. This is all lead to bullying through the way I look. Ever since I discovered make up, iv always worn it. just saying. 😪

Drooogie4 · Answer

A lot of the time I wear little to none. Some days I do a full face.  I'm not insecure with out it. It's just fun and a little confidence boost to wear it. Nobody should "hide".

LosofMB · Answer

Most girls hide insecurity. I think wearing makeup every once in a while is cool, for special occasions. But if you wear it everyday that's because you don't feel good enough with the natural you.

mutedaisy · Answer

Some girls want to wear makeup so that they look airbrush perfect, some just want to wear it because it looks pretty, some like the way it highlights their features... the list goes on ^^

insert_title · Answer

We is a strong word- I don't wear makeup. Anyway, I think girls wear makeup to cover up their imperfections. :)

Kaylove96 · Answer

Maybe because we can think we're not pretty enough. Or I've known a couple girls who wore makeup while they were single or crushing, flirting then once they got into a relationship they stopped

Cjewelsbee · Answer

I don't like makeup wanna see the real me I just occasionally put this stuff on to help pimples lol the war continues but the most natural you is the most beautiful you

soccerchick4eva · Answer

I don't know why really, im just that used to it now that i dont leave the house without it -.- but in saying that i dont pack the make up on hahah i just do light make up :)

Girls, why do we hide behind makeup?

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