Do Men Notice When You Wear Make Up?

[spaj8987]

Was in a discussion with someone over a couple different topics. The main one being how sexism has effected and affected how many people standardize beauty when it comes to women. I said that men started practices that harm women. That isolate women to only a handful of standards. And the majority of women are only considered beautiful if they fit certain categories deemed by the majority as beautiful. The person i was talking to then said that men don't care. Bringing up lipstick specifically.

Which then jumped into makeup. I said there's a reason why only an extremely small amount of porn has women in them who aren't wearing makeup. He disagreed again and said that men don't even notice make up.

Which lead me to this current question. Do men notice when you wear makeup? Can we tell? Whats the reaction when you aren't wearing any makeup at all? Whats the reaction when you're wearing just a little bit of makeup? And whats the reaction if you were to wear a lot of it? Do men judge women on their use of make up?

If you want to know what inspired this question. It was from this thread here.

Lpsg Perpetuates Average Isn't Good Enough

In advance, thank you for answering if you did in fact feel up to it. Any information is appreciated. If you do not feel up to wading into this obviously mid way controversial topic i also give a thank you. Trust me. I know how annoying this topic can be. So thank you for at least reading this far.

 

[Tight_N_Juicy]

Yes and no.

People in general tend to be more friendly and willing to approach me when I have my face done. Whether it's a "natural" look or "full Glam" with lots of colors and sparkles etc I get more compliments and random greetings if I have makeup on. (This is part of why I don't wear it daily, I don't want to be approached)

Having said that, I do still get compliments randomly if I don't have makeup on from time to time.

My man specifically can't tell I'm wearing makeup unless I go really crazy with the colors or if he literally *watches* me apply it. He said once after I finished making myself up with neutral/natural colors that I basically seemed to be wasting my time because he couldn't see a difference. I took it as a compliment.

Really, I think women notice my makeup more than men. I notice when a woman changes up her typical routine and I'll ask what products she used and give her a flattering comment on her art.

I do love makeup. Sometimes, on a certain silent level it's like being part of a group, being in on a secret. There's a whole community around it. Jenna Marbles calls them "beautubers". Fucking genius.

 

[Tight_N_Juicy]

As for the whole women in porn always having their face on aspect... I do think generally men notice and appreciate makeup even if they don't do so consciously.

 

[spaj8987]

Yes and no.

People in general tend to be more friendly and willing to approach me when I have my face done. Whether it's a "natural" look or "full Glam" with lots of colors and sparkles etc I get more compliments and random greetings if I have makeup on. (This is part of why I don't wear it daily, I don't want to be approached)

Having said that, I do still get compliments randomly if I don't have makeup on from time to time.

My man specifically can't tell I'm wearing makeup unless I go really crazy with the colors or if he literally *watches* me apply it. He said once after I finished making myself up with neutral/natural colors that I basically seemed to be wasting my time because he couldn't see a difference. I took it as a compliment.

Really, I think women notice my makeup more than men. I notice when a woman changes up her typical routine and I'll ask what products she used and give her a flattering comment on her art.

I do love makeup. Sometimes, on a certain silent level it's like being part of a group, being in on a secret. There's a whole community around it. Jenna Marbles calls them "beautubers". Fucking genius.

Thanks. I was under the impression that we men do indeed notice. Even if it's only a little that we do. Thanks again for the input.

 

[LaFemme]

I don’t know that men can tell specifically, but I sure get more positive responses when I do wear make-up. I love makeup, natural looking or flashy. It’s fun. Makeup enhances, makes me looks less tired.

Amy Schumer does a whole video on this. I think it summarizes my experience.

 

[EllieP]

Like TnJ says, yes and no.

When I was single I used to feel sad that no man would ever see me without makeup again. In those days I didn't feel dressed until I put on at least my eyes.

But today it's much different probably because I DGAF as much. A couple of years ago I was going to be featured in a magazine spread, and the editors wanted photos of me on a job site, except they wanted me in a business suit... with makeup!

Now, the only time I wear a business suit is when I go to the bank, and it's rare I'm not in shorts and boots on a job site.

But here I was pretending to look over plans with an unfinished room behind me. The ribbing I took from the workers onsite was merciless. And I still hear about it sometimes!

I came back to the site the following day, and one of the men was laughing and pointed to a pencil marking on a stud that read "Miss B pretty when she dress up."

"Did you write that?" He shook his head no. "So does he think I'm not pretty when I don't dress up?"

He almost spit a laugh and ran out.

 

[spaj8987]

I don’t know that men can tell specifically, but I sure get more positive responses when I do wear make-up. I love makeup, natural looking or flashy. It’s fun. Makeup enhances, makes me looks less tired.

Amy Schumer does a whole video on this. I think it summarizes my experience.

Like TnJ says, yes and no.

When I was single I used to feel sad that no man would ever see me without makeup again. In those days I didn't feel dressed until I put on at least my eyes.

But today it's much different probably because I DGAF as much. A couple of years ago I was going to be featured in a magazine spread, and the editors wanted photos of me on a job site, except they wanted me in a business suit... with makeup!

Now, the only time I wear a business suit is when I go to the bank, and it's rare I'm not in shorts and boots on a job site.

But here I was pretending to look over plans with an unfinished room behind me. The ribbing I took from the workers onsite was merciless. And I still hear about it sometimes!

I came back to the site the following day, and one of the men was laughing and pointed to a pencil marking on a stud that read "Miss B pretty when she dress up."

"Did you write that?" He shook his head no. "So does he think I'm not pretty when I don't dress up?"

He almost spit a laugh and ran out.

Thanks for the input.

 

[286798]

Do men notice when you wear makeup? Can we tell? Whats the reaction when you aren't wearing any makeup at all? Whats the reaction when you're wearing just a little bit of makeup? And whats the reaction if you were to wear a lot of it? Do men judge women on their use of make up?

I usually wear mostly neutral/natural makeup... shades of brown eyeshadow, a rosy blush, not a ton of eyeliner/mascara, chapstick or a tinted gloss... and usually just want to look like a not-tired version of me with even skin and more defined eyes... for those into makeup, think a Bobbi Brown face. For an evening out or more formal event, I will do a full face with winged eyeliner and sometimes individual false eyelashes and a bold lip. That's about the only time I really look like I have makeup other than eyeliner on. I'd say reaction is usually pretty positive to both natural and "done". I get the most positive reaction when I actually wear lipstick/bright gloss... women often comment that I pick good colors, some men say it makes them want to kiss me.

 

[Enid]

Simple answer is yes for me personally. The men (and women) with whom I regularly interact do notice when I wear makeup, because I rarely use anything so it can be pretty noticeable.

Well, to be fair, about 80% of time I have nothing on my face. 19% of time it's tinted moisturizer, colored lip balm/gloss/tint, and eyebrow pencil. And 1% of the time do I dare to venture into eyeliner, shadow, mascara, actual foundation, lipstick, powder territory.

So yea the 1% definitely gets comments. The 19% gets comments sometimes depending upon lips & eyebrows. If my lips are darker gloss and my eyebrows turn out really well, it's more likely I'll get a few comments that day from co-workers, men/women both.

In my case, I feel like the comments are about the rarity of any product. Most people expect me to usually look like a tired, sick, surprisingly plump Victorian person with lightly chapped lips, a dearth of eyelashes, and eyebrows that are too light for a brunette (due to silvering with age).

 

[Holly Doors]

I've always worn makeup, I was a girly girl always in my mother's makeup from a young age, it's kinda installed in my routine. Even on lazy days I might not do my face when I first get outta bed but I'll still do it at some point during the day, I never leave the house without some kinda slap on my face.
I wouldn't necessarily say I wear makeup for any other reason than I feel happier wearing it, if I'm going out out then I will spend more time than if I were just nipping out to the shop tho. I enjoy it in the way I enjoy fashion, that's just me.
As for other people noticing, I do get comments from friends if I do something slightly different, asking what I used and where from etc, my husband sees me with and without so kinda used to both I guess X

 

[Scarletbegonia]

Somewhat like Enid, I tend to CC cream, which is tinted moisturizer with sunscreen. I use it because moisture plus sunscreen tends to be two flipping layers already, so why not let my rosacea fade into the background as well in one layer.

tinted lip balm and maybe a bit of powder (depending on how the CC dries) and adding the lightest mascara for evening.
That’s my full battle make up.

As for noticing, I don’t notice if they notice.

As for women in film, everyone has makeup under the lights. Including the guys.
You should see the prep before a televised debate. Powder to dull shiny bald spots, foreheads and chins on any male.

 

[spaj8987]

Thanks for the input ladies. Sorry about not really getting back to this. I'm regularly getting notifications from a few man babies so your replies got buried. So thank you.

 

[AsianGal]

Both yes and no. I've had some men who were clueless to it while others have noticed. I think the majority have not noticed if I've had light makeup on.

 

[candy1990]

I don't usually wear make up and despite being 29 i still look 20, on the odd occasion i wear make up most people who know me notice, never heard anything bad about it.