Should women wear make-up?

[LWolf]

190. Free will.

Choice.

A better question:

Should our culture condition people to think women aren't attractive without it? That they need it? That they aren't caring about themselves if they don't use it? Should women be made to feel that they aren't attractive without it?

I started using makeup in middle school because it was expected. I didn't wear much. I had a boyfriend in high school who encouraged me to "put some of that blue stuff on your eyes." I understood when he took me home to meet his family; a houseful of mothers and sisters who wouldn't be caught sleeping without their makeup, and who spent a lot of time and energy giving me makeovers and trying to convince me how much better it made me look.

I never wore much; a bit of mascara because I was blonde, a bit of blush because I was pale/fair-skinned. I left even that behind somewhere in my early 30s. I haven't worn any makeup at all in 2+ decades, and haven't missed it. I also don't color my hair, and while it gets a daily washing and brushing, and some hairspray to keep it neat through my very, very long days without needing more attention, I don't dry it, curl it, or anything else. I get out of the shower, comb it, and brush and spray it when it dries. About 60 seconds worth of time. I'm clean and neat. I like it that way.

The result? I'm fine with myself, and ignore the pitying looks and whispered advice some women will give me about hair and makeup. My mother being the primary culprit when it comes to that. She doesn't understand why I don't want to be "pretty," and doesn't understand that "pretty" is not based on hair color and makeup.