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KitSileya

(4,035 posts)

159. Especially for some groups of women, make-up is compulsory if you want to be taken seriously

Mon Feb 17, 2014, 04:27 PM

Feb 2014

That is a very feminist issue. It should be a free choice, but it is not - fat women for example, are much more quickly judged as slobs/lazy, and consequently have their health concerns brushed off, and are more unlikely to get jobs if they do not wear make-up, dress really nicely, and wear heels. I would believe the same goes for transgender women too. That is society, and that is what we are trying to change. Wearing make-up, and high-heeled shoes, should be voluntary for anyone, but sadly it isn't. It is "a choice for some women, and an obligation for others," as Melissa McEwan says.

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Should women wear make-up? [View all] Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2014 OP

Haven't bothered with it since 'retired,' elleng Feb 2014 #1

I totally understand. Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2014 #4

Yes, the distinction makes a real difference; elleng Feb 2014 #6

"we don't interfere, tho we make our points of view known." Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2014 #31

Thanks. Good thoughts, elleng Feb 2014 #35

Strength, love and honor -- always. Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2014 #38

Me and baby Eddie today, elleng Feb 2014 #182

OMG! That face! Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2014 #256

No makeup and no more hair dye and retirement is great Warpy Feb 2014 #58

Skin & hair absorb chemicals:THAT should be our major concern! Divernan Feb 2014 #109

Good to know, elleng Feb 2014 #136

I wear makeup, and I don't at all resemble the photo you've posted, SheilaT Feb 2014 #2

A woman who wears make-up is NOT a traitor to her gender Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2014 #20

I want to make it clear that SheilaT Feb 2014 #28

If it helps Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2014 #32

And when most of us turn 50, we become invisible Warpy Feb 2014 #76

can you please expound on man's "congenital stupidily". surely, you don't believe we'll all be agog dionysus Feb 2014 #231

While admittedly speaking in wide generalizations Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2014 #248

thank you for elaborating on that... makes sense. if i see the SI cover, a magazine i don't buy, dionysus Feb 2014 #275

This is pretty much my situation. I don't think of makeup as adding color eridani Feb 2014 #80

I too have a very fair complexion that tends to redness. I use a very light foundation to smooth CTyankee Feb 2014 #114

I wear makeup too Carigal Feb 2014 #178

This is stupid! dem in texas Feb 2014 #3

^^^This! mimi85 Feb 2014 #276

Women should wear whatever the fuck they want. LeftyMom Feb 2014 #5

^^That Orrex Feb 2014 #100

Katherine Harris thinks so. lpbk2713 Feb 2014 #7

Anybody should wear anything they want to at any time. edbermac Feb 2014 #8

women can wear whatever they want to wear (or not wear) JI7 Feb 2014 #9

I seldom wear makeup. 3catwoman3 Feb 2014 #10

no, makeup is often cultural such as those who go for the goth look JI7 Feb 2014 #11

I'm pro-choice. JaneyVee Feb 2014 #12

Well-played. Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2014 #21

No, she isn't kcr Feb 2014 #13

I used to wear mascara and lipstick applegrove Feb 2014 #14

If they want to. bravenak Feb 2014 #15

It depends on what I'm doing. Mz Pip Feb 2014 #16

I've never worn much makeup, Blue_In_AK Feb 2014 #17

I think men should wear makeup ismnotwasm Feb 2014 #18

"I think men should wear makeup" Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2014 #23

Yeah mines got a beard. Hates to shave ismnotwasm Feb 2014 #34

No "guyliner?" Lost_Count Feb 2014 #91

Not with that butt-ugly haircut and the half-ass beard, no jmowreader Feb 2014 #189

It's every woman's choice NV Whino Feb 2014 #19

I'm sick and tired of this nonsense. Boudica the Lyoness Feb 2014 #22

"These days women can... Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2014 #25

You can never fully separate personal and social influence. Gravitycollapse Feb 2014 #24

"There is always some consideration given to public perspective." Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2014 #27

Who's "they?" Gravitycollapse Feb 2014 #29

Whomever the "public" might be. Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2014 #33

Are the quotes meant to be a passive aggressive slight or something? Gravitycollapse Feb 2014 #56

I believe you when you said NM_Birder Feb 2014 #215

"Love to know what your opinion is on why Hillary or Michelle might wear make-up." Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2014 #218

"lover boy's" opinion is self indulgent to the point of your thread. NM_Birder Feb 2014 #226

Fair 'nuff. In another post, responding to an accusation of passive-agressiveness, I wrote -- Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2014 #246

That was pretty much was what I expected. NM_Birder Feb 2014 #251

I have answered repeatedly throughout the thread Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2014 #254

look-ith over there NM_Birder Feb 2014 #288

I wear makeup. Lugnut Feb 2014 #26

People who think everyone else should do exactly what they want them to are control freaks Warren DeMontague Feb 2014 #30

You and I have tangled in the past. Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2014 #36

Heh... We have? Warren DeMontague Feb 2014 #37

this is the bullshit. you put up this ridiculous OP, warren jumps in as reason, as if ANYONE seabeyond Feb 2014 #106

The word "objectification" is being toss around quite a lot lately. Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2014 #116

your posts of recent have been chalk full of mock, snark and insult. yes, you write cleverly. seabeyond Feb 2014 #119

What do you mean "passive aggressive insults"? I was very literal in everything I just wrote. Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2014 #126

Hell, sometimes I clash with myself. Warren DeMontague Feb 2014 #286

Wait, what'd I do now? Warren DeMontague Feb 2014 #287

And then there's the other extreme kcr Feb 2014 #39

Sure, which is why sane people support individual freedom that doesn't interfere w/other individuals Warren DeMontague Feb 2014 #40

To you, it's authoritarians being driven buggy kcr Feb 2014 #49

I'm not saying it's not a valid discussion. Warren DeMontague Feb 2014 #61

Of course it wouldn't. kcr Feb 2014 #63

How's this: If someone tells you you should- or shouldn't- wear makeup, my suggestion is Warren DeMontague Feb 2014 #64

Yeah. Sorry to be such a downer kcr Feb 2014 #66

Aye, I admit to having pet peeves, too. Warren DeMontague Feb 2014 #67

That's because you're purposefully framing the discussion incorrectly. Gravitycollapse Feb 2014 #69

Okay, if you say so. Warren DeMontague Feb 2014 #70

That's the irony of much of the libertarian movement. In it's need to reduce risk... Gravitycollapse Feb 2014 #71

A yes libertarian yes harumph harumph robble robble libertarian robble. Warren DeMontague Feb 2014 #72

I want women to be aware of the historical significance of makeup... Gravitycollapse Feb 2014 #73

Oh. Warren DeMontague Feb 2014 #74

My truly informed decision is I'll wear makeup when I feel like it... Violet_Crumble Feb 2014 #86

Well maybe they can put the question differently treestar Feb 2014 #124

To be perfectly honest, I think some of this stuff may break on geographic lines. Warren DeMontague Feb 2014 #165

This is true kcr Feb 2014 #200

You live in northern Maine? MADem Feb 2014 #204

Distractions FormerOstrich Feb 2014 #41

I have always worn foundation, since I was a teen�it has protected my face from the sun's�. Tikki Feb 2014 #42

The way you describe it sounds almost like "airbrushing" Major Nikon Feb 2014 #43

Who needs butter? I've got plenty! Initech Feb 2014 #44

It's not for me to tell people how to present themselves. But as a matter of personal taste, struggle4progress Feb 2014 #45

Nope. Iggo Feb 2014 #46

Not sure what you mean... cyberswede Feb 2014 #120

Sure, women "could" wear make-up .... IF they choose to Lil Missy Feb 2014 #47

The SI kerfuffle is merely the latest in the GOP's WAR ON WOMEN, blkmusclmachine Feb 2014 #48

If they want to, sure. It shouldn't be something expected of them though. Spider Jerusalem Feb 2014 #50

Self-beautification is an art snot Feb 2014 #51

Will y'all write a news release or something when it's decided? lumberjack_jeff Feb 2014 #52

My daughter wears make up. I don't. I defend both her right to wear it and my right not to. liberal_at_heart Feb 2014 #53

to me it's not a matter of whether women should wear makeup fizzgig Feb 2014 #54

"Traitor to her gender"? Scootaloo Feb 2014 #55

someone had a poutrage over your post hobbit709 Feb 2014 #90

You're the fourth person to tell me so Scootaloo Feb 2014 #94

The problem is that the poutragers never see themselves as part of the problem. hobbit709 Feb 2014 #96

So, is that a "yes" on being a gender traitor? Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2014 #101

Your logic is more tortured than the plot of a Shyamalan film Scootaloo Feb 2014 #104

Let's see if we can sort this out. Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2014 #117

thank you. exactly. totally offensive in the passive aggressive slap across the face. nt seabeyond Feb 2014 #107

You take exception to the term "gender traitor" and then accuse me of everything Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2014 #129

I used to pretend I didn't understand my passive-aggressive comments as such too.. LanternWaste Feb 2014 #151

Pretense is a wonderful way to hide behind that which we're too cowardly to say openly. Tuesday Afternoon Feb 2014 #223

I'm thinking that the term "passive-agressive" is fast becoming as meaningless as Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2014 #229

I've said that all along about the owner of this website. Sheldon Cooper Feb 2014 #128

I have been saying it too, since the inception of DU3. Tuesday Afternoon Feb 2014 #237

Beautifully put! Squinch Feb 2014 #132

ding ding. geek tragedy Feb 2014 #224

what other people want to do is not my business. hollysmom Feb 2014 #57

I think people wear make-up for any number of reasons. and I agree with your post. Tuesday Afternoon Feb 2014 #238

i think a lot of people look great with make-up orleans Feb 2014 #59

EYE MAKE UP OR ART trueblue2007 Feb 2014 #60

That was pretty cool Marrah_G Feb 2014 #102

art... madrchsod Feb 2014 #202

It worked for David Bowie. Depends what kinda look she wants to pull off. nt alp227 Feb 2014 #62

A woman can do whatever she wants newfie11 Feb 2014 #65

Woman should wear makeup if they CHOOSE to. If they CHOOSE to, then it is nobodies else's business. patricia92243 Feb 2014 #68

as long as it's not mandatory, I don't give a rats butt eShirl Feb 2014 #75

Her choice Half-Century Man Feb 2014 #77

doesn't eliot spitzer wear eyeliner ? JI7 Feb 2014 #78

Can you pan down to the socks? PassingFair Feb 2014 #222

Joanna Russ on makeup eridani Feb 2014 #79

Especially for some groups of women, make-up is compulsory if you want to be taken seriously KitSileya Feb 2014 #159

^ great post, thank you, eridani ^ Tuesday Afternoon Feb 2014 #239

That is a personal choice.. sendero Feb 2014 #81

Nope, but I love photoshop greymattermom Feb 2014 #82

If they want to. PeteSelman Feb 2014 #83

From a male's perspective davidpdx Feb 2014 #84

You THINK you dislike make-up. And "fat"is not the same topic at all. WinkyDink Feb 2014 #89

So davidpdx Feb 2014 #92

A woman should not feel pressure either way liberal N proud Feb 2014 #85

That is indeed the point. idendoit Feb 2014 #268

Personal choice. RiffRandell Feb 2014 #87

Women have been wearing make-up since before Cleopatra VII. People get hair-cuts. They shave. It's WinkyDink Feb 2014 #88

If they WANT TO!.. It's their choice, and theirs alone! N/T Ghost in the Machine Feb 2014 #93

I wear make up. HappyMe Feb 2014 #95

Personal choice MadrasT Feb 2014 #97

What we need here is some good door to door work and some tracts: The Straight Story Feb 2014 #98

None of your business blueamy66 Feb 2014 #99

Actually... shedevil69taz Feb 2014 #203

Can't do it. blueamy66 Feb 2014 #241

I used to be that way too... shedevil69taz Feb 2014 #282

My hair is not too thick... blueamy66 Feb 2014 #284

none of my business and ya nuclear, i know you have been mystified of late. if you actually seabeyond Feb 2014 #103

if they want, only caveat should be please know how to and what works loli phabay Feb 2014 #105

Should a woman flamebait? Squinch Feb 2014 #108

^^^ thread win ^^^ MadrasT Feb 2014 #110

I would imagine that would be her choice. HappyMe Feb 2014 #113

The term "flamebait" is also losing its meaning. Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2014 #130

It's becoming impossible to have a somewhat intelligent conversation. reusrename Feb 2014 #191

I think women should do as they please about makeup. MineralMan Feb 2014 #111

I think I have a solution to this issue... brooklynite Feb 2014 #112

I think I have a solution to your solution... TeeYiYi Feb 2014 #141

It should be an individual choice, but... cyberswede Feb 2014 #115

Women should do whatever the hell they want to do. Chorophyll Feb 2014 #118

It should be up to the individual, but treestar Feb 2014 #121

That is up to the individual. hrmjustin Feb 2014 #122

Complicated subject.... Adrahil Feb 2014 #123

A flamewar about makeup? rug Feb 2014 #125

I don't wear make up unless I'm attending a meeting, conference malaise Feb 2014 #127

Seriously, I haven't worn makeup since my hot flashes kicked in catbyte Feb 2014 #131

I do. And I won't apologize to anyone... WorseBeforeBetter Feb 2014 #133

...and there it is. HappyMe Feb 2014 #166

There's a balance between society's needs and our own. noamnety Feb 2014 #134

Should I have an opinion about what others choose to wear? Let me think and Coyotl Feb 2014 #135

I'm pro-choice tallahasseedem Feb 2014 #137

I don't wear make-up. 840high Feb 2014 #138

They should do whatever they want to do bigwillq Feb 2014 #139

PEOPLE should wear whatever the hell they want BainsBane Feb 2014 #140

Including swimwear. pintobean Feb 2014 #144

LOL BainsBane Feb 2014 #146

Are you saying they're forced pintobean Feb 2014 #150

There are some basic things one assumes anyone knows BainsBane Feb 2014 #156

It always comes down to insults. pintobean Feb 2014 #163

Clearly you don't need to discuss anything with me anyway BainsBane Feb 2014 #168

Gaga is kind of like a model right? All image? snooper2 Feb 2014 #221

Are you arguing someone forced them to take the picture??? really?? nt Logical Feb 2014 #160

I'm arguing they are models, which no one should have to argue since it is basic fact. BainsBane Feb 2014 #169

When did I complain about the gender wars? links please. n-t Logical Feb 2014 #170

This answers all your questions BainsBane Feb 2014 #174

I have a lot of link I woud like to send you also. n-t Logical Feb 2014 #176

You stayed out of these threads? muriel_volestrangler Feb 2014 #214

Not to mention the "prepubescent boys" thread pintobean Feb 2014 #227

that second thread was about apes BainsBane Feb 2014 #244

You said the 2nd thread was about male privilege, and mentioned SI in it yourself muriel_volestrangler Feb 2014 #247

Now you point to an entirely different post BainsBane Feb 2014 #250

I talked about threads, as you did, until now muriel_volestrangler Feb 2014 #252

I meant post. Obviously I didn't reread the whole thread. BainsBane Feb 2014 #257

If your posting habits aren't our concern, then don't tell us "I stayed out of those threads" muriel_volestrangler Feb 2014 #259

How to get a bikini body eridani Feb 2014 #207

The criticism in that case gollygee Feb 2014 #212

I take it you have never seen G. Gordon Liddy's whistler162 Feb 2014 #194

No, but I suspect you may have a valid point there. BainsBane Feb 2014 #195

+1 YoungDemCA Feb 2014 #205

I'll leave that up to the women in question. n/t Comrade Grumpy Feb 2014 #142

I don't wear makeup in order to appeal to men, and even if I did, Heidi Feb 2014 #143

if she wants to, sure. Scout Feb 2014 #145

Yes, but only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and 3-day weekends. DisgustipatedinCA Feb 2014 #147

I don't pretend to know. However, I also don't pretend to know... LanternWaste Feb 2014 #148

my opinion has no relevance it should be up to them dembotoz Feb 2014 #149

if they want to Puzzledtraveller Feb 2014 #152

It's their choice itsrobert Feb 2014 #153

You can have my make up case Butterbean Feb 2014 #154

Yes, they should and so should men. There was a time men Cleita Feb 2014 #155

I have great naturally white hair, but.... northoftheborder Feb 2014 #157

as long as they have their husband's permission and it has been thoroughly tested on animals nt arely staircase Feb 2014 #158

i wish men wore makeup. nt La Lioness Priyanka Feb 2014 #161

Some do!! retread Feb 2014 #162

I wore it in high school. Codeine Feb 2014 #216

If women want to wear makeup, they should. If they don't, they shouldn't. Seems pretty simple nt. Ex Lurker Feb 2014 #164

Men and women should be forced to shave their heads NM_Birder Feb 2014 #167

+1 tallahasseedem Feb 2014 #172

We must write to or await instructions HappyMe Feb 2014 #173

Also if a woman can gain monetary advantage by using Cleita Feb 2014 #177

an actress or model ? NM_Birder Feb 2014 #213

I wouldn't even go out to walk my dog without makeup. RebelOne Feb 2014 #171

Good luck with your surgery, RebelOne! Sissyk Feb 2014 #187

Thanks, Sissyk. n/t RebelOne Feb 2014 #192

I'm with you! (Only I say "To get my newspaper"!) WinkyDink Feb 2014 #209

Personally I think most women look better without it mythology Feb 2014 #175

Young women look good without it. The rest of us need help Cleita Feb 2014 #179

I generally don't care The empressof all Feb 2014 #180

Only if they want to. Chan790 Feb 2014 #181

This is a woman's choice, if she feels good with the makeup then go for it. Thinkingabout Feb 2014 #183

Sure, if they want to. frogmarch Feb 2014 #184

What horrible advice. rrneck Feb 2014 #196

Skipped all the other responses. Mine? A woman should wear make-up only if she wants to. WillowTree Feb 2014 #185

Personally, I think men should. CrispyQ Feb 2014 #186

As I hope any feminist would agree, this should be up to individual women themselves. anti partisan Feb 2014 #188

Free will. LWolf Feb 2014 #190

I don't and never have. texanwitch Feb 2014 #193

I've always worn some makeup. llmart Feb 2014 #197

I just want to hug you. Cleita Feb 2014 #198

Awww...you're sweet. llmart Feb 2014 #217

If they want to, they should be able to LadyHawkAZ Feb 2014 #199

what business is it of yours? TorchTheWitch Feb 2014 #201

"Not only do you want to tell other women -- " Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2014 #260

Sure, why not? AgingAmerican Feb 2014 #206

Only if it doesn't clash with their burkas. Waiting For Everyman Feb 2014 #208

If they want to. n/t gollygee Feb 2014 #210

Well: TheMathieu Feb 2014 #211

SMH/NT DemocratSinceBirth Feb 2014 #219

No, women should be told what to wear by men. Rex Feb 2014 #220

Women should be able to wear whatever they want without geek tragedy Feb 2014 #225

Many replies like this, but I'll address this one. Adrahil Feb 2014 #228

you're mixed up on a couple of points: geek tragedy Feb 2014 #230

I disagree.... Adrahil Feb 2014 #232

So you're saying that Scottish men who wear kilts geek tragedy Feb 2014 #233

Now don't get silly.... Adrahil Feb 2014 #235

this conversation started off clearly ridiculous geek tragedy Feb 2014 #236

I also think PasadenaTrudy Feb 2014 #242

Yes.... Adrahil Feb 2014 #243

True true PasadenaTrudy Feb 2014 #245

I have never worn make-up, not even once. My Mother likewise, etc. for millions of years. Coyotl Feb 2014 #234

it's an individual choice. Beacool Feb 2014 #240

"Should" is not applicable - it's not a decision with moral consequences. Donald Ian Rankin Feb 2014 #249

"It doesn't benefit or harm anyone else, so it's entirely a personal decision." Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2014 #261

Is it immoral to wear a suit? Donald Ian Rankin Feb 2014 #262

"I could also suggest that Joe Biden is an baby-eating space crab from Mars." Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2014 #263

Sure JustAnotherGen Feb 2014 #253

If they want to KamaAina Feb 2014 #255

DU "Gender Wars" have officially jumped the shark with this thread UncleMuscles Feb 2014 #258

Sure� why not, if you want to wear it? MrMickeysMom Feb 2014 #264

I wear very little. a la izquierda Feb 2014 #265

make-up wearing female here & I don't give a damn what anyone else does Duppers Feb 2014 #266

I think women who want to wear makeup should ohheckyeah Feb 2014 #267

If They Want To Wolf Frankula Feb 2014 #269

Some of it provides for uba and uva protection. Also some may have an obvious mark or scar they lonestarnot Feb 2014 #270

I have seen the sun protection argument elsewhere in this thread Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2014 #271

Maybe more do than care to admit. lonestarnot Feb 2014 #272

I'm afraid I'll have to register myself a skeptic of that assertion absent any foundation for it. Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2014 #273

tee hee. lonestarnot Feb 2014 #274

It can only help if it's done right. CFLDem Feb 2014 #277

"You are wearing makeup?" HockeyMom Feb 2014 #278

The question has no answer. Because no two women wear makeup for the same reasons. Glassunion Feb 2014 #279

Only if they want to. ileus Feb 2014 #280

Only if they want to. Autumn Feb 2014 #281

Gave up make up in 1979, no one has complained since demigoddess Feb 2014 #283

Up to you jmowreader Feb 2014 #285

First Post on DU Token Republican Feb 2014 #289

Too much information. Curmudgeoness Feb 2014 #290