It depends on why I'm wearing makeup that day, if I am. I don't associate it with gender.
Most of the time I look at it as an art form, and also a cultural aspect around the world. In highschool, I solely used it to cover facial 'flaws' at the time, especially since I had a woman cut my hair in my teens who would tell me crap like you have make it look like you don't have a mono-lid, Cover ALL your freckles, and the kicker tweeze your brows, don't trim them.

If I go to work I normally end up doing it because most places prefer women wear it. Which I loathe 85% of the time.  If I'm on a date, I'll probably try to look goddamn sexy. That said, I wear quite a lot if I'm out normally [eyeliner,mascara,foundation, concealer, powder, eyeshadow, lipstain,chapstick] . I used to swear I wouldn't wear any when I was younger, but as mentioned, I had my confidence broken quite a bit.

The double standard from makeup is the same with shaving, being overly thin or 'curvy', etc. To me it's society telling women that there is something wrong with them, and forcing some unattainable goal of perfection on them. There's always something that can be improved. Make up itself isn't oppressive to me, it's just when it's restricted to certain genders for certain reasons.

That's funny that you mentioned Sailor Moon, because I was talking with a friend the other day who wished that people got ready in transformation sequences. When I was younger I used to imagine the shower as a transformation scene.

Riri-kins wrote:

I enjoy wearing it and don't think it's about covering your flaws or ZOMG GIVING INTO MALE PRESSURE TO LOOK SEXY so much as it's about emphasizing your prettiest features.  Besides, it shows people you care about yourself. It's like brushing your teeth or washing your hair. That being said I confess I do see it as something feminine. Notice I didn't say weak. I said feminine.  Honestly, in my culture straight men just don't wear it. If a day comes when they do I'll be very surprised but will accept it.

Showing people you care about yourself is especially important if you're fat. I'm fat, and one of the reasons I wear it everyday is to say, "See?! I still care about how I look! Please don't assume I'm a smelly troll that shoves anything within arms-reach into my mouth!" If I'm fat and I like to wear jeans and t-shirts, then I have to make a concession somewhere. And putting on make-up is not so bad to me--sort of like doing it. Besides, I have eyes that just really POP once you put on eyeshadow and liner. So it's the most worth it as far as comfort and effect. Not so much expense-wise though.

When you're fat, you have to work harder just to be considered not a huge slob. Generally if you've got some overall great weight, hair, etc. genes, you can go out in sweats and no make-up all the time and no one cares. Also, I still have some acne I need to cover up now and then, even after the Accutane(it's better, but not totally gone). Especially right before that time of the month. Ya'll know what I'm talking about.

I couldn't give less of a shit what people think about my ability to care for myself based on my appearance.  If I wanna run around messy, I do.  I work and sometimes I am fucking tired.  There is no shame in that.  I take my pills and focus on my future -THAT is how I take care of myself.   I wear make-up because it's colorful and tiny and organized and fun.  The only time I wear make up because I HAVE (and if I didn't HAVE to, I would anyway because I like dressing up instead of putting on a Taco Bell uniform) is when I do research at Mental Health Court.  There, wearing suits, slacks, and well done make-up is unfortunately the unspoken way that you distinguish yourself from the offenders since you don't wear a uniform and in a crowded court room the Bailiff needs to be able to discern the student workers from the MHC offenders, some of whom are our age.

Make up itself is not oppressive, vain or gendered.  It's stuff you slap on your face to temporarily alter your appearance.  People ascribing status based on make-up and making judgements based on make-up, "That girl is wearing too much, she's dumb/a whore" or "That girl isn't wearing make-up, she must not care about herself/be poor/not be in a relationship/ lazy/ is ugly/ unwomanly" is what is problematic.

Last edited by OnlyInThisLight (07-17-2012 07:06:15 PM)

Sweet.  These are some really insightful responses, thanks!

How prohibitive is the cost?  I know it will vary wildly by usage rate, but I also don't know how expensive the stuff is.
In media I often see/hear people complaining that a very specific brand and color is discontinued, and they had to stock up on it or are s.o.l.  Why is this a problem?  Do people go to a sort of sample area where they figure out which combinations look best on them--or share among friends--and feel like they'll never find another equal brand/color for them?  Or do they just not want to have to keep trying new brands/colors out?  And if the latter...wouldn't finding new looks be part of the fun component of it all?

In Japan, it is common for trendy straight boys to wear eyeliner and such for the sake of looking attractive to women (since they found the bulky, hairy look to be ugly, and mostly prefer waif over beef); the male idols there, especially those from the elite Johnny Agency, all wear heavy makeup and have heavily styled hair.  This trend had since spread to Korea and China (which is now having a Peacock Male movement in its developing fashion industry)  in recent years.

I wear a small amount of makeup every day. For my day to day activities I view make up as a waste of time and money but paradoxically I feel uneasy if I'm not wearing any. I hate being judged by my appearance; but the reality of the situation is almost everyone judges and is judged by everyone else.

I don't buy high end make up products unless it's in a special holiday pack, or other value set. In my personal experience, people have used my low end make up to discriminate against me.

Even though I have personal reservations about make up I do love it as a form of art. Some of the things that people are able to do with some eye make up and nail polish are simply breath-taking.

Mocha gave me sage advice on setting the mascara tube under running hot water while you put on the rest of your make-up.  That and making sure if you have thin lashes you are using a thicker, dry formula that will hold them up and if you have thick lashes to use a wet formula to coat them.  A wet formula on thin lashes just weighs them down and dry formula on thick lashes clumps.

Not that tubes SAY wet/dry formula, you just kinda have to test. 

Also the brush makes a difference.  Brushes with wide gaps between the bristles (and typically shorter bristles) are for volume -the lashes fall into the grooves and wick up the mascara better and the short bristles allow you to place the brush closer to the base of the lashes, creating volume.  Brushes with long, more closely packed bristles are for length -the dense bristles weave between and separate lashes better so that it's easier for mascara to cover them all the way to to the tip, which creates length.

Just remember that and to never rely on a mascara, nomatter what is advertised, to curl your lashes, at the end of the day you have to do that yourself.  :/ 

And having a color you love discontinued does suck.  Even people who like to explore many different looks and styles still usually have their daily routine.  Finding an eyeshadow shade that works well for casual and formal occasions, is neutral enough to compliment most outfits/make-up while still making you, in particular, look awesome is what's considered a Holy Grail product (even more so if a little lasts you forever and it doesn't cake, crease or have bad fallout).  Mine is Clinique's eyeshadow in Desert Sun.  I put that shit on everything.

Oh fuck I really like make-up NO ONE TELL MY TEN YEAR OLD SELF.

Katzenklavier wrote:

And what does make-up mean to me? The ultimate suit of armor.

Eh?  Could you expand on that?
I grew up with frugal parents making me wear hand-me-downs, so I know what it's like to put on well-fitting and newish clothing and feel like there's something in the world that I don't have to worry about that I usually would.  But I sense that your feeling is stronger and possibly different?

Katzenklavier wrote:

I don't agree with it. But it's not a question of morals, it just is.

My own tendency would be to rebel.  If I was a woman (and thus makeup was expected), anyone who cared about whether or not I wore makeup would fail a sort of automatic test and lose my respect.
Of course, not the best way to network or relate to the majority of people.

Hi Frau Eva:

I can't help but notice your postings about acne.  As a male who had suffered for years under serious, scarring acne, but has now gotten rid of them and stayed (mostly) clear-skinned for years, please allow me to give a little advice on this topic.

Different people have different skin types, and from what you said yours seems to be a mixed skin-type rather like mine - prone to sweat-grease, but will feel drawn tight after washing with face wash; when applying moisturing cream to stop the post wash tightness/skin flaking, will again feel greasy.

The problem is not that you don't wash your face, but rather, you might not be giving your skin-type the right kind of washing and moisturizing.

Being that you are female and wears foundation-type makeup regularly, you might want to consider using exfoliating face wash at least three times per week - of the non-microbead, meltable sodium-based variety so you don't have to worry about it getting into your eye; that way, you can keep your pore unclogged and your face can breath easy. Plus, acne scarring will fade somewhat, if not disappear completely, after prolonged, regular using of exfoliating face wash.  Exfoliating is expecially important for mixed skin-type after applying sun block to the face - even those of the touch dry variety.  Use moderate lukewarm water for washing.

Now, on closing up the opened pores post washing with cold fluids.

For me, I'm Asian and I eat rice regularly.  I wash my rice with water twice prior to cooking it: once to get rid of what dirt could be there, the other time solely for generating a milky solution that is the rice water - rich in skin nourishing nutrients and can break down face old and lighten skin tone.  Every time after washing and exfoliating my face, I apply fridge frozen ice cold rice water to my face - to close up the post wash opened pores and firm up my skin again.  Take care not to get it in the eye (keep them closed) for fear of irritation, splash regular cold water to wash it off face afterwards since some people claim leaving it on the skin without washing it off irritates it (though I myself never had this problem).   

Then, on moisturizing, which is a MUST for any skin type.  Non-moisturized skin, drawn tight, will secrete face oil and make the face all oily again even after you just finished washing it.   The trick is to apply the right kind/amount of moisturizer on the post wash, post cold fluid splashed face.

Being that you claim to have greasy skin, face moisturizer for men - usually designed for oilier skin - might work better for you than those marketed to women.  For me, I make sure my face is wet as I apply little amounts of moisturizer on my skin, so it'd get diluted by water and be just the right amount I need.

Lastly, diet.  My dermatologist told me flat out that we are what we eat: that chocolates, red meat and fried foods (including sweet stuff like donuts) are big no-nos to acne prone people; having minimized my intake of all three - while washing my face right, while eating more grapefruits, apples, and fresh green peppers - the ache did die down within three months (that and I lost like three inches to my waist), and had never recurred for like the past five years.   

The above is what worked for me.  Hope this can at least give you some food for thought as you explore your options in attaining healthier skin, Frau Eva.

Katzenklavier wrote:

Although since our media and social context often promote rebellion of the hero against collectivist rape, perhaps my wearing make-up for the benefit of others is its own form of defiance.

That doesn't seem likely.
Mostly because even if society promotes rebellion, on average people still don't.

Was suddenly reminded of this today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYpwAtnywTk