The Makeup Factor. Why do Women wear makeup?

Women differ greatly in their opinions on makeup. Some love it, some hate it, some like just a little, some like a lot. What is it that influences our decision to wear makeup? 

I'm a total beauty addict. If I see a product on sale that I think could make me look better, I'm going to buy it. I don't go out without makeup on, whether that's a little bit for day to day chores or a whole lot for a night out, my makeup is always done and I wouldn't have it any other way but that doesn't stop people asking me WHY. I'm always a bit stuck for an answer, especially when my husband says I look fine without it, and he see's me without it every single night when I remove it. So here I explore exactly WHY do we wear makeup?

Factors of 'influence'

The MUM factor

My mum was and still isn't a wearer of makeup. She wears none at all on a day to day basis, but if she's going out somewhere for a meal or drinks she might pop on a bit, but just a bit.

I remember my nanna - my mum's mum; she would never go anywhere without her lipstick on, she'd even put it on to just sit and watch TV in the house so my mum didn't take after her mum, and i didn't take after mine, clearly it isn't that you take after your mum!

The MAN factor

I've pinned down some men for THEIR opinions and guess what? they also have varied opinions on whether girls should or shouldn't wear makeup and whether girls look prettier with or without it. Some like super high maintenance perfection whilst some prefer to see the natural beauty, some like a nice balance.
One thing is for certain, I have yet to meet a man who enjoys waiting 2 hours for his girlfriend to glam herself up before they go out! So I don't see how men can be blamed for US choosing to put makeup on OUR faces.

The MEDIA factor

Every time we open a magazine or turn on the TV we see beautiful women wearing beautiful makeup. Adverts tell us a product can make US look better, feel better, get the guy, rule the world.... But us women aren't stupid and we know that we will never really achieve the PERFECT hair / nails / lips like on THAT advert.  

I did some research among some of my friends and here is what they said:

Reasons why women DON'T wear makeup

• "I don't know HOW to apply it properly so I don't bother"
• "I don't have time to mess about with makeup in a morning" 
• "It doesn't suit me"
• "I can't be bothered"
• "It ruins your skin"
• "Its fake"
• Who am I trying to impress? My boyfriend see's me without makeup every morning
• I'm not vein

Reasons why women DO wear makeup 

• I feel naked without it
• It makes me look better
• I'm ugly without it
• It makes me more confident
• I enjoy applying it
• I feel prettier
• It enhances my natural features 
• It disguises my flaws / covers imperfections 
• I FEEL good about myself when i wear it

In summary all I can assume is that women wear makeup for THEMSELVES, to make themselves FEEL good. Wheres the crime in that? 

It is no coincidence that sales of lipsticks actually go UP during a recession. People have less money but choose to spend the money they do have on a lipstick because it makes them FEEL better. 

Its no coincidence either that *Boots' tagline is "feel better" damn them marketing people - always one step ahead! 

(*boots is Britain's biggest high-street makeup retailer)

I look forward to hearing your opinions,

Helen xx