Does makeup add to a woman's physical appeal?

I don't wear makeup, besides lip color. I tried makeup and I made the conscious decision not to wear it because I just don't like it. But, of course I really like lip color because I have large, pigmented lips, so it's fun. I think it would be funner if I had smaller, less pigmented lips, so I can wear my bright colors without having so many people look at me, lol. But, you know... the grass is always greener, not just for girls, but guys too. That's just our thing as humans. ANYWAYS, when I'm on the train looking at a woman with makeup on, she looks beautiful. And I've seen women without makeup, they look pretty, but when a woman is wearing makeup they look absolutely stunning. I'm NOT suggesting that one is better than the other. That's not cool. All women, no matter what they do or don't do are beautiful, same goes for men. I'm just saying they look more "put together" as so many women said they think they look with or without makeup and I agree.

So, here I am... wondering as a female or male, what do you think? Does it add to women's appeal? Does it not make a difference? Maybe it decreases it? Obviously, I know it depends on the situation. I also know this forum is a small population of opinions, not the majority rule.

I also would like to know if this opinion makes a difference between a woman with healthy skin over a woman without healthy skin, such as acne, discoloration, etc. Also, that depends on severity. Some people have healthier or unhealthier skin than others. Is there a difference between one or two blemishes over a dozen? Heck, if you want to talk about men with healthy skin over unhealthy skin, that's fine too. Not sure if men wear makeup. I'm sure they do. So, if you want to talk about that too, that's cool too.

 

Definitely feel it adds to my physical appeal. Guy's are a funny when I wear makeup they are always telling me how I look great without my makeup on. I've given up on explaining that I have makeup on they just can't see it.

I noticeably don't get those same comments when I don't have makeup on. Sigh...

It is kind of a pain sometimes, but at least to me it's worth it. I like knowing I look good. And I like it when my boyfriend notices and comments on it to me. I don't think he's even conscious of the fact that he doesn't say it as much when I'm not wearing makeup.

I alternate between the natural (guys can't tell I've got it on) makeup and the similar but with a bit of eyeliner and shadow looks. I've noticed that the variety seems to get me a bit more attention then when I just go with one and stick to it all the time.

 

Exactly. I don't understand why that is. Especially, if the girl has healthy skin without makeup. Like I can understand if she had unhealthy skin, because you see the "imperfections". But, if she has healthy skin, why does she look.... AH, I don't even know how to say it, lol? Most social things I don't notice, but I do notice that one and I don't know why I do. And it makes me feel bad about not wearing makeup. Granted, I do wear lip color. So, I am a consumer of makeup, just not as far as other girls take it, which makes me feel bad, like I should be, to have that "thing", whatever it is happen between a woman with makeup over a woman without, that occurs.

 

It depends on a lot of different things. Some women look like clowns with red lipstick on, even when properly applied. Others can pull it of greatly.
One thing is sure (I think ): It is never a good thing to feel uncomfortable leaving the house without make up on. Yeah, you can wear it on occasion or even a lot of the time (I don't care), but always... come on. That sounds problematic.

 

Totally.

Though, if a girl wants to wear makeup all the time, I think that's cool. It's her psychological relationship with makeup that can become a problem.

 

I used to think that was totally uncool but I got a little less peculiar and strong opinionated about it. I don't know every other person who puts make up on and their reason for it and thus I don't feel like judging a person because of it anymore at all. It's quite silly. But in most cases to wear a lot of make up all the time is a real turn of for me.

 

well, to be clear. I don't wear it ALL of the time. But mostly I do. For the mentioned reasons. I suppose there's an element of, "I'm so strong I don't care what other people think." that I'm failing terribly at.

But I like looking good and I guess I don't really care what other people think about my desire to look nice to other people. So there is some I don't care in there I suppose? Either way it's worth it to me.

 

I don't like it on me, feels like I need a spatula to scrape it off after it's on. A tiny bit of color on my lips maybe and some eye shadow if going out for an evening but I like to be appreciated for me, not what colourful stuff I can afford to buy and can paste on.
I know some women need it, a friend of mine had to have it on everyday, wait for her all the time and I used to bug her about it till I saw her one day without it.
I see many who put so much on they do look like clowns. It's nearly a freak show. Make up should look almost natural, it should be used more for blending rather then pasting it on. But that's just me.

 

This is the concept many women have,,, need to look nice for others. Not knocking your statement just pointing out what sells make up, tweezers and even hair color. Women are believing what they were born with isn't As nice as what can be purchased off a shelf.

 

Well, I used to think they get compliments for their mascara, not their own eyes or face YOU don't look nice, your make up does. But like I said, as long as it is not problematic for the person herself it's not a problem for me.

 

I have to wonder how much money and time I will save over the course of my life time by not worrying about it. And ya, I bought into it for a while, not long tho. I hated spending the time to look Made up. If people didn't like me for who I am too bad for them. I guess that's the Hippie in me maybe.

 

The reason I don't like makeup is because I feel like I'm lying. I would like to be truthful of how I look, considering looks are highly valued. Don't get me wrong, I lie like many others, but I just don't like lying about my looks, considering it's so important. When it comes to lip products, most people can tell that you're wearing it. But, everything else, unless applied dramatically can't be seen by people, so it's easy to lie to them, which makes me feel bad. I also wear clear eyebrow wax or gel. I forgot about that. I'm ashamed of my eyebrows because they're full. I try to justify it by not using color on them, not that I need it, but that is lying. So, I'm well aware of my hypocrisy.

Also, I'm lazy. It's too much work. And I think it looks weird on me. I don't think it does that "thing" that it does to other girls. I think it does the opposite. Granted, it could be because I haven't had much practice with it. We're talking about women who have been wearing makeup since they were 11 or so. While I started at an older age, did it a few times, and then stopped. Anyways, with lip products, it's an easy thing to learn and it's quick.

There are other reasons, but they're more personal.

 

I wear make up for myself. Not for anyone else. I don't wear a lot. I don't do it to change my appearance drastically. I look sick or tired without it. I have blonde eyelashes and its just weird. I put enough on to make me look like I belong among the living.

 

I know many who wear some just to help and that's not a bad thing, it's the ones that look fake when done that make me laugh.
My mom plucked her brows for years to a thin line, then penciled them to shape them just so, she coloured her hair, and spent time every day "putting on her face" as she called it. Even as a kid that term freaked me out.
After many years of that she quit and there's not a thing wrong with her. Now she does moisturizers and herbal or natural stuff. I recognize her now, haha.

 

It depends, and that's a guy saying this and agreeing with what the other posters here have said thus far.
How you apply, what you are using and mixing together matters. In some instances if you mix moisturizing creams of different brands, you'll break out in a bad rash because of chemical reactions in the molecular makeup of the creams.



If you are an actress/actor, or in the media public-sphere, or have a public job, makeup is important, but usually they have skilled people who apply the stuff who know what they're doing (i.e. stylists) and occasionally even they mess-up hence why there's a "world's worst dressed" topic category.


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But generally speaking, I personally think that no it doesn't make much of a difference, a 10-15% difference at best, girls should save their money and walk out in public with confidence, but if the makeup has a sunscreen type of protection to it, then that would make sense to use it all the time.

 

Yes, makeup is a form of art.
If a woman is comfortable in her own skin and shows it then there's nothing wrong with makeup.
But once it consumes a person then naaah.

 

Nicely stated.

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I also want to say this too towards those that dress up for attention from men or I suspect women as well in the prowl for a relationship, or even just physical flings.

If they're interested they'll approach you, makeup will neither deter, prevent, or accelerate your chances for success or lack of it.


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I also want to give a shoutout to a trend that has been happening worldwide in schools. Thanks to social media, there is a trend for student government to declare a day of the week like "makeup less Monday" and it started out as a social experiment because they asked themselves the same question our OP asks here.

It's been a liberating thing for them especially school wide because across all grade levels everyone goes makeup free so there's less fear about doing so from peers.

And the girls discovered it wasn't the end of the world and nothing really changed.

Their guys were still there and still liked them, and still thought them attractive.

And this is apparently a thing, and it's probably done wonders for people's self-esteem and for individual wallets.

 

I like to wear a little everyday. When going out I like to wear more and I love a bright lip.

 

I didn't know such a thing existed. But, it reminds me of this other social movement that was going on, (not sure if it still is) where people posted a "selfie" of themselves in different social networking websites to give awareness to women's cancer. Even though, cancer is one thing and taking a picture without wearing makeup is another, it was equally as hard for some people to show themselves without makeup as it's hard for women to still hold on to their beauty while undergoing the effects of cancer. It was quite interesting to read about.

 

I can count in the fingers of one hand the times in my life I've worn make up. But I do find it beautiful on other women. Same with heels and fancy clothes and jewelry. I find it all beautiful and all very nice. I don't wear it, though.

I also find polished nails beautiful, but I've never done my nails.

Perhaps one day I'll find the time and inclination to wear these things myself.

Variety is the spice of life.