Why does it feel like women are being condemned for wearing makeup?

Question

I'm not drag queen baked for the Gods, but yeah, I'm a woman that loves spending time on getting ready. I'm not gonna get into the "I only do it for myself" speech, but why do guys (with the exception of some girls) look down upon makeup? I had to bring this up after a coworker basically said something the other day.

If you're a woman that gets the heat for also wearing makeup, feel free to share your feelings.

BlueCoyote · Accepted Answer

I can only speak for myself. Personally, I'm glad that my wife doesn't wear makeup in everyday life but I would never make any comments about this towards other women (not even close friends, let alone coworkers). It's a personal decision and none of my business.
Having said this, I am generally very much into naturalness. This is where my dislike for makeup comes from. You could say I'm a bit radical about it but that's fine, I won't be offended. I don't like fake books or fake lips. I also don't like stupid paintings on people's skin or women piercing metal rings through their body. All of these things seem a little goofy to me. I just want you to look the way you naturally look and be confident about this. That second part is really important to me. Confidence is very attractive. Most people who do plastic surgery or put on makeup for that matter don't seem confident to me. It seems like they're desperately trying to play a role, desperately trying to fit in - and that just comes across as sad. I like people who simply accept who they are and what they look like and don't make a big fuss about it. For example some people hate on fat folks. But I don't. I've seen some obese people who act all insecure and shy but I've also seen obese people who go to the public pool or the beach and they have this attitude of: "Fuck other people's dumb prejudices. I am who I am and if you can't handle it, kiss my ass" I deeply respect this kind of folks because it takes a lot of guts. In the same way, I respect girls who question the pressure on women to wear makeup (since guys don't have to do it) and simply leave the house the way they naturally look.
What I always say is this: if there was a good reason for you to walk around with makeup on your face, Mother Nature probably would have made you that way.

EpicDweeb · Accepted Answer

I don't have any issue with makeup to a point...

The problem for me comes when a girl is caked in makeup. If it looks like a girl spent like 2+hours trying to get the perfect makeup that's unattractive as it communicates something about her character. There are several possibilities as to what this could communicate.

1. Insecurity. This isn't usually the case but there are times when wearing so much make up communicates that a girl is afraid of not being accepted if she fails to meet some standard.

2. Vanity. It can communicate that all a girl cares about is her looks. I find this unattractive because I simply think it's a very shallow thing to find important. A person wI only puts their trust in looks will be disappointed and in the long run may become bitter because life didn't work out as they wanted l. Putting trust in beauty only to have it fail you hurts. I wouldn't want to dare someone who decided they wanted to put their faith in beauty. I dunno does that make sense?

That's just what too much makeup communicates to me. I'm not gonna say these are the reasons most girls have for wearing makeup. I may well be totally wrong in all of this, that's simply what it communicates to me.

amarahorrorstory · Accepted Answer

Men don't like makeup for various reasons
-It is not as socially acceptable for men to wear it, so it isn't fair
-They consider it misleading because women tend to look different without it, surprise, my eyelids aren't actually royal violet
-they like a "natural girl" because for some reason people think that woman who doesn't take certain steps in her appearance makes me low maintenance and more down to earth and couldn't possibly ever be a bad person.

Women don't like it for various reasons
-They tried it, felt it was difficult/didn't like the feeling/didn't like the price/didn't like the effort/etc, so they shame girls (if you don't shame girls for it then I'm not talking to you, don't even comment that BS) who DO like it because God forbid a girl be good and happy doing something they like
-They think guys will like them better if they don't wear it
-They think it will mess up their skin (it can, but it usually won't if you find what works for you)

I'm a makeup artist and it took time to have the skill I do today, and I still have a lot to learn. But some women just aren't good at it or don't want to learn, so I think in some cases it's jealously too, some women genuinely just don't like it, but girls who have a "makeup doesn't make you pretty" attitude I can't help but their are bitter, because why else do you care what I do too my face? Just wear your chapstick and leave me alone.

Leafpool2 · Accepted Answer

It's an unwinnable scenario. Women are required to wear at least foundation, blush, some light lipstick, and mascara to be taken seriously (no seriously there have been studies women who wear makeup get jobs at a higher percentage than the ones who don't so it's a hiring bias) but that shit's expensive and runs out and getting paid less means we have less for those base requisites to be taken seriously. And then we still get called "fake" and shit

And then if we don't wear the shit we're "lazy"

You're damned if you do and damned if you don't basically.

Also men have no idea what a woman actually looks like with no makeup I'm so tired of men saying "this photo of [celebrity] with no makeup is so hot" and she's clearly got mascara and smoky eyes and a ton of shit on. "Natural" makeup isn't no makeup dumbfucks.

Pinay_ako · Accepted Answer

Make up is suppose to enhance your beauty not alter it.

Allie_Oops · Answer

They're not. Some people don't like it and don't want their partner wearing it. It's a preference.

Besides, people don't use make up the way it was initially meant to be used. Make up is supposed to be an enhancer but some women completely change the way they look. I like looking natural. Men like women who look natural.

To me, I would like to know why make up wearers condemn those who just like them as the way they were born. That sounds more twisted than what you asked.

ThisDudeHere · Answer

Because it presents a false image of the person.

LaikaFreefall · Answer

I mean, probably. Women are attacked for everything. "Be a sex object, but dont act like a slut!" Women can't win when it comes to how they look. Either they're "unattractive," "ugly," etc. and they aren't worth a guy's time. Or they're actually pretty good looking and they "owe" guys their attention.

Now, keep in mind, when I say "guys" treat women like they owe them something, what I MEAN is *SOME* guys. You know, giant assholes. lol. But I get that it can feel like "all guys" to women who have to live this shit every day.

But to some limited extent, it is true in a more general sense that most guys (heterosexual) treat women differently based on looks. It's not done maliciously or necessarily even consciously. But it is a factor.

Then there are the rare exceptions. The guys who dont care about looks as much and just want a girl with a good personality above all other considerations... Those are the best guys to get, if you can find one lol. But thats just my opinion.

But yeah, in short, maybe girls are being attacked for wearing make up... I will note however, playing devil's advocate on myself, that merely expressing to a woman a "preference for the natural look" isn't really an attack...
But then again, guys who aren't close to you REALLY dont get a say on how you look so they can stfu lol. :P

CharlieUnicorn · Answer

One word: Hipsters (and similar groups)
Look at some of their girlfriends. According to their made up standards, you are the new unattractive.

For a while now, there's been a lot of groups, some male nerds too, where they decide to like a woman a whole lot less the more she fits with conventional feminine beauty standards, including makeup.

There's also the regressive left I guess who look down on anyone who looks conventional, which is hilariously ironic, them supposedly being the egalitarian ones who can look past the surface. XD

It's fine that people want to think out of the box, and it's certainly a great thing that more guys have a wider scope for dating which doesn't boil down to just conventional femme beauty, but these people are taking it too far by dubbing new "undesirables".

Similarly, I've heard girls fawn over skinny guys and men with dadbods while in the same breath say "Ew, disgusting" about a muscular dude.
Same shit. I don't agree with that either. Don't know how widespread it is though.

Blonde401 · Answer

I’m prepared for the downvotes. And tbh if you downvote me, you’re just confirming the truth anyway.

Women are condemned for everything! Wearing makeup (fake), not wearing makeup (looking tired and unkempt) being too fat, being too thin, being too ambitious (pushy), saying what they don’t want (being a bitch), saying no sex (frigid), saying yes to sex (slut), not having kids to focus on their career (selfish), having kids and not going back to work to take care of them (lazy), being friends with a man rather than fucking him (friend zone). Either way, women get condemned by someone. Stop giving a fuck and just do what you want!

Bliss-taylor · Answer

Because too much make up can make some women look like clowns or 10× better than they actually are.
Obviously guys can tell a woman has make up on but they still can't tell what you look like naturally. Even myself I met a woman, she does her make up perfectly by todays standards. I saw her once without make up and she went from looking like she could be hollywood material to in all honesty very unattractive. You can also see those changes online as well. The before and after.
I dont think make up is bad but its only supposed to enhance what you already have not make you look like a completely different person.

Anonymous · Answer

Because of this... and this... Even the less extreme use of makeup can make a girl look like a totally different person.

ChronicThinker · Answer

The only time people condemn it is when they are on the internet and honestly think they're in danger of getting with a hot girl who looks hot with makeup, but isn't without it.

Even if she's ugly without it a lot of these guys don't have a chance, if we're honest.

But there's the whole concept of: oh, she's faking her attractiveness. But, to me, to fake something is to naturally look like someone or something else, or to intentionally mislead. Wearing purple eye-shadow is pretty obvious and hardly seems like lying, but whatever.

For me personally, I've had a few people tell me I don't "need" makeup because I'm pretty but I don't give a shit. I wear it because I like it. I have had no issues getting men while I've worn it. I've had no issues after they saw me take it off. Never lost a man nor friend over it, so who gives a shit?

lizziepooh03 · Answer

Weird, huh? I do not get it either.

What is the big deal, men? I mean, seriously?

If you are clueless enough to think that her wearing makeup when you preferred she did not was a big deal, then you are just really really naive, at best, and dumb, at worst.

Anything she does that makes her feel more attractive and/or more sexy, is always a good thing for you!!! Not sure why you guys fight this so much. It could be a really, really good thing for you much more than it will ever be a bad thing for you.

Just saying... lol! :)

HOAAH · Answer

if someone does something, like have pets, then they wonder why others don't have pets and they kind of come off as judgmental and non-accepting.

If a guy does something like don't wear make up, then they wonder why women have to wear make up and they kind of come off as judgmental and non accepting.

the truth is, make up is accepted in society as something a woman does, and it is not as accepted as something a man does. so man will never fully get the same treatment as woman to try it on... so they'll never know how fun it is to experiment making your face look "prettier".

Honestly I feel like make up is some kind of "jewelry" or "accessory" that I put on to feel even prettier, that's why I wear it. I wear it sparingly because I like to keep my skin "clean" most of the time. Plus most of my acne from teenage years and lower 20s are gone, so no need for make up.

Lavinnykins · Answer

Okay, there's two ways of wearing makeup (kind of like you said); There's having enough of it on your face to cover imperfections and feeling confident in yourself, and there's troweling it on to cover up blemishes in completely the wrong shade so it is even more obvious. If you've just put on a bit of foundation, a little powder, a touch of mascara, a flick of eyeliner and a slide of lipstick or gloss, that's fine. If you've spent over an hour (or the opposite way spending less than 10 minutes haphazardly!) going layer by layer to the point you smile and it cracks and wrinkles, then you're wearing too much. Guys also tend to not like that they think you're hiding something under all the makeup or they are worried (if you're dating) that your makeup will come off on clothing/bedding and messy compared to those who wear less or none. I only know that because my other half is one of those...

grimtigress · Answer

i've never personally got it or done it, but i don't know i kind of give props to the shit they do sometimes it's like their face is a canvas. if it's intense to the point of being a clown i'm gonna have the urge to honk a horn. i don't feel like it's the proper way to gain self confidence since it's only temporary, but if the shit is for fun it's whatever. my boyfriend likes to see me with it somethings, though only light- but still prefer natural and i'm the same. i can't really feel better about myself on a bad day, or even a normal once with it on, because i know it's not real. but then again, it can just make other shit pop out or be emphasized and i think that's pretty gnarly in the positive sense

TadCurious · Answer

For me, it's not a matter of condemning women who wear make up. It's just that some women wear it really badly. A lot of Insta models are that way. They put on way too much and they do it in a way that just looks bad. I'm not against women wearing make up if they want to. I would just hope that they learned that too much applied badly isn't a good look. It's just almost painful to look at and they're trying too hard. On the other hand a small amount, tastefully applied, can look good. But to each their own.

steveguitar · Answer

Well it's fake, false advertising, it's unhealthy for you, usually tested on animals such as rabbits and other animals to test if it's safe for humans... These animals die and get sick often. Then men kiss girls with makeup on and get it on their lips and stuff and swallow it, many taste it when they kiss girls.

It's a fake tan, fake eyebrows, fake eye lashes, fake rosy cheeks when you can already get rosy cheeks/blush all by yourselves

Then it get I to comparing your looks with other women, getting jealous, thinking of lastic surgury, vomitting after your meals, going on crazy diets, trying to be like a model, trying to get whichever look is popular... It goes on and on

And it's not every girl I know, but you take so much time out of your life to live, love, relax.

The only thing I really like about girls keeping themselves pretty or whatever is shaving leges and armpits. If you did just that, it would be enough, same as guys shaving or not

vishna · Answer

I don't get hate in real life from men that I date about my make up. Rather, I get compliments "I like your eyes today, that's a pretty color" "Your eyes are really pretty" (lol I love when they try to describe liquid eyeliner) "Your lipstick is so pretty" etc.

lol not to offend, but I see the most hate on here where most dudes don't have a great (if any) track record with women...

In the real world, I just don't see the type of dislike for make up that I see online.

Astoriana · Answer

Because beauty is supposed to be effortless in our society. If you make it seem that you don’t naturally look like that (as in, you don’t naturally have shiny gold eyelids and blood red lips), then you’re fake and pathetic.

And yet, beauty matters most in a woman, so if you’re not naturally flawless, you are worthless.

It’s a damned if you do, and damned if you don’t situation.

hannahbanana11 · Answer

I don't know but people are dumb for it. We are expected to accept the whole LGBTQ whatever else community, not be racist, don't judge anyone for anything, don't hate on peoples bodies, self-acceptance, etc. YET there is so much hate geared towards girls who wear makeup. YOU DO YOU BOO. Everyone needs to worry bout them damn selves cuz quite frankly nobody gives a shit about your opinion on what they do or who they are. And if they do give a shit it's bc so many people have hated on them that they are starting to believe their opinions as facts or become self-conscious or insecure. Personally, I only wear mascara and I wear it everyday. Next to that, I like highlighter, it brightens ya facial features. Other than that I only wear fullface makeup for events or sometimes when I feel like it. But for those who cake it on everyday, IT's OK. Again I'll say, YOU DO YOU BOO. People need to back off each other.

xZoeyx · Answer

Because you're putting on a mask and hiding who you really are. It's like going around wearing clown makeup - it's not who you are. Only difference is regular makeup looks more like a human than clown makeup. But it's still not YOU.
I'm probably gonna get hate from a lot of girls but this is just my opinion.
Don't get me wrong, I think a little makeup is fine. But when it comes to heavy makeup and you can't leave the house without it, there's a problem.

MlleCake · Answer

Basically, because everything women do, especially related to our appearance is endlessly picked apart by everyone all the time.

Browneye57 · Answer

They're not. Just be 'pretty'. Guys just like pretty, they don't know anything about makeup. If you do it right they can't even tell.
Ignore the boys. :)

Attraction is vital. Love can't start 'till attraction does.

Account · Answer

People love complaining about every fucking thing. I think men (and women) should mind their fucking business. If a woman wants to wear make-up, so be it. If a man wants to wear it, so be it either. If it offends your fucking aesthetics, do not look at them/let them be. It is that easy.

Hyped_up_on_coffee · Answer

Only really insecure and hateful men complain about that kind of thing. They are upset that women can do things to appear more attractive than they really are in order to get themselves a mate. I don’t really think that they understand that it varies on the woman and the occasion. Like I only wear full make up like in my profile pick to go out and skip it all together for work at the moment. And I do a minimal look for weekends

cflr0227 · Answer

I personally don't wear makeup, or if I do I only do when going out somewhere nice and I have only had a handful of guys even notice that I don't wear any, I don't think they care as much as they say they do, I will go out with friends who have makeup caked on and we all get hit on pretty equally, I think men just like the idea of a makeupless woman

11110000bbbb · Answer

Because of this: I hate makeup and would wear it only at a special event. Like A wedding.

bang678 · Answer

Because guys think "natural makeup" is the only way to go. Everything else is lying because I guess we are actually trying to convince guys that we woke up with glitter eyelids and cherry red lips. I think the main thing is that guys have a hard time with this concept that women didn't ask their opinion on make up, nor do we care.

RedHigHeels · Answer

I like this question! Heavy handed makeup girls stand out to everyone and unfortunately because most females wear makeup it feels like you're being singled out when in fact you're not... theyve just ruined it for all the responsible makeup wearers 😁😂

CubsterShura · Answer

I love makeup and don't care if anyone judges me for wearing it in class. I am already an eyesore in class and have no friends so why even bother the judgment of people who do not like me to begin with? I do it cause I enjoy it. Makeup and fashion is a part of me. ✌

Goodwifie · Answer

I work in a pharmacy and I sell makeup so I have to wear it to work.
Makeup done right can completely change a woman's confidence.
Yes we do have to think about how much we need to put on in regards to the what and where we are going.
I don't understand why women wear makeup to the gym or the beach.

Darklydarkened · Answer

Men used to condemn them if they somewhat happened to be in a male dominated envoirenment and justified harassment or abuse for that.

Now most of it gone, and they're clinging to thigs like make-up.

I wonder how they'll react when they lose even that.

lampuiho · Answer

Because makeup doesn't even make you better looking. It only makes you look worse in the long run. Good looking girls are good looking with or without make up. And bad looking ones in my eyes won't look good no matter how they do their makeup. Facial structure, body fat % determine the proportion and features of the face, not the makeup.

Idontknow092 · Answer

I personally dont look down on women wearing make up as long as they haven't applied so much that they are unrecognizable without it.
It's like photoshop in real life, they are basically showing us an unnatural image of themself so why should i make the effort to be myself around her if she isn't willing to do the same.

Ripper_E · Answer

I like the artistry of makeup. I think women look better without it, but I don't look down on them for using them. I won't lie and say I like it, because I don't, and I dislike it even more when women use make up because of their own insecurities. That's unattractive.

magic30 · Answer

I'm ok with no make up some times, however I really think women prefer to always look good. I for one appreciate a refined touch up to highlight their natural beauty. To me it show that they care what they look like. Also to me make up in moderation shows self respect. Now, on the other side caked on make up tells me she has no clue on what the hell she's doing. The "whore" make up is what I call it, distracts from what otherwise might be a beautiful woman.

John_Doesnt · Answer

This is a microaggression towards men who wear makeup.

apple24 · Answer

Women wear make-up because it's fun. It's something fun. It's extremely difficult and you would have to go to extremes to look completely different. Because believe or not I look the same with make-up and without. Even though I hardly go out anywhere my make-up is amazing. Without it my skin looks nice as well. I will never ever understand men who don't like make-up? Men might be smart and do a lot for this world. But they won't ever understand what it's like to show your best you.

Anonymous · Answer

Because there is a trend lately where women are wearing way too much makeup and it looks bad. It looks fake. They look like plastic.

Anonymous · Answer

I feel like there's a fine line between wearing makeup and letting it totally change your appearance. People do too much sometimes and go overboard with makeup.
If you look like one person with the makeup on and total different person without it that's just scary to me. Lol.

Anonymous · Answer

I think it's those super skilled makeup helps change the look like plastic surgery -- eventually those makeups feel fake. I watched some transform makeup videos on YouTube, I was very shocked tbh.

That could be the reason some people are so against to it. Otherwise, it's a personal preference.

Anonymous · Answer

Nobody is "condemning" women. Honestly, now a days women wear too much makeup. Some look like a clown made out with their face. Some even look like drag queens. If it was more natural then whatever. Honestly, too much makeup is too fake and it's like they're lying to themselves as well as someone else.

Anonymous · Answer

FFS, we men can't win.

We say we love girls without make up, we get criticised and told it's a woman's right to wear make up.

We say we love when the girls wear make up, we get criticised for not "loving a woman how she really is".

Good_Behavior · Answer

Because women pushed so hard for natural beauty that make-up stopped being a choice. Much like women pushed so hard for the idea that SAHM aren't "real women" that now being a SAHM is not really looked highly upon for those who have high accreditations.

ChristianFriis · Answer

Because you're overly sensitive, which in turn is also why men are actually being condemned for: manspreading, mansplaining, manterrupting, male gazing, misogynistic online terrorising, hate-speeching and a whole host of other things.

martyfellow · Answer

It ‘s not the makeup, it’s the on-the-make. Women present themselves but somehow want to attract attention only from Big Daddies and give the rest of us cold stares and lectures on women’s rights when WE dare take notice of them!!

nevermoregirl7 · Answer

I have never had anyone critiquing my make up. But I do once in a while hear the passive aggressive "I like it when women look natural" or from women "I don't wear makeup because I don't want to look like a clown."

My thought is fuck them.

Bananaman177 · Answer

You can choose to take everything personally, but the plain and simple truth is that we JUST DON'T LIKE MAKE-UP.

Nobody's persecuting you, nobody's prosecuting you, you're just doing something that nobody likes.

Anonymous · Answer

No not really. However I find it puzzling how girls complain about men sexualising them and shit, but they plaster their face in makeup, wear miniskirts, yoga pants... I think they want to be sexualised but only by men they find attractive, if men they think are ugly are looking/hitting on them they say its harassment and they are being sexualised.

skel47 · Answer

Its just another way to hide blemishes and such in my book. It never really looks good to me. Similiar to plastic surgery your fundamentally hiding something about you.

AaronKrieger · Answer

It feels fake to me. If a girl wears makeup I like a natural look to it. Basically, if you look fake to me then I'm turned off. (Wearing too much makeup)

bubble_tea · Answer

Because they are mad that they can't make themselves look better without getting accused of being gay by men and women, but we're allowed and even encouraged to do it. *shrugs*

mystintri · Answer

I get it.

Some girls are prettier with less makeup than other girls who wear the same amount. What's a girl gonna do? She's trying to win the mating race too. She puts on more makeup and thus attracts more guys.

Do what works.

winterfox10 · Answer

Women make careers out of shitting all over each other. You could be the most attractive woman in the world, and someone would still snipe at you for wearing a certain shade of red on your lips.

bellybuttonlint · Answer

I don't condemn women. If it makes them happy then do it... don't know why guys get jealous... guys are more jealous than other women it seems. Guys... let it go, please!

Wollu · Answer

Its a matter of dosage. If a woman wears a millimeter of plaster on her face it's disliked. It's a mask, not a make up. Who want's to get laid with a girl wearing a mask?

Gordo1970 · Answer

It's not bad in moderation it's just when you see bimbos going to places like the gym with a full face of make up its laughable.
But if a lady wants to pretty herself up for a night out I don't see a problem

llorando · Answer

Because A: The current trend is to use too much makeup, B: Cause it creates fake beauty and C: It's no longer used to enhance natural beauty but to create fake beauty.

adamjanovic · Answer

Personally, I don't just wear makeup because I like to look my best everyday, but makeup is also a hobby for me, it's a way for me to be artistic and creative and looking good is an added bonus.

Hidden_P · Answer

The look depends on the man. And also, putting it on badly with a trowel is offputting to everyone

PinkandSparkles · Answer

I haven't had anybody to say anything about my makeup. I guess if they did, I would add it to the long list of shit I do that people don't like.

fhziljio · Answer

It is just like in sports. The athletes who take drugs are cheaters.

SirRexington · Answer

So... is it empowering for a girl to wear makeup or not? Im confused. i thought it was a good thing guys preferred women without makeup?

Why does it feel like women are being condemned for wearing makeup?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

Women have become overrated because of makeup?

Why does it feel like women are being condemned for wearing makeup?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

Women have become overrated because of makeup?

We're glad to see you liked this post.