I have never seen a post that said someone needed to wear makeup. I’m curious - can you provide an example? What I’ve seen is advice given to people who do wear makeup to make sure their makep does not come out looking weird in photos taken with a flash, because some inorganic pigment components of makeup can reflect light in a certain way that would make the face look too shiny (reflective paint effect).
Of course, @BunsenBurner, right here from this thread:
“I understand the comment about not wearing any cosmetics, but unless you are more gorgeous than anyone I’ve seen, ever, there are going to be days when you need it.”
That’s the type of statement I take issue with - nothing else.
I really, really wanted to be a boy when I was young- I’m talking 7-11 or so. I was a real tomboy, hated dresses and thought boys had a much better lot in life. I petitioned to get in Little League and was denied. I tried to get in Boy Scouts since it seemed more fun than girl scouts. No way. I obviously hit puberty, had boyfriends and while I still remained active and athletic, I did not identify as male at all. I had an extremely feminine mother. I don’t think she ever in her life wore pants- only skirts and dresses. She survived my tomboy years. I never turned out particularly feminine, but we all adjusted.
I work in the corporate office of a Fortune 500 company. We are business casual, but our business serves a rural market. I doubt anyone feels any pressure to wear makeup or do a lot with their hair, yet almost everyone chooses to present a polished image which tends to involve at least a tiny bit of makeup. I suspect some of it is regional and just what you are used to seeing around you.
I think makeup is fun, and I hope Caitlyn enjoys her new experiences with it all.
@MomofWildChild, a sincere question - why is polished, in your opinion, equal to wearing make up? We obviously won’t agree, but I would like to hear the other side, because it honestly does not make sense to me.
““I understand the comment about not wearing any cosmetics, but unless you are more gorgeous than anyone I’ve seen, ever, there are going to be days when you need it.””
I guess you are still young enough that you have never had a blemish or an ugly redness due to an insect bite on your face pop up the day before an important meeting! 
Covering these non-natural things with some makeup will prevent the audience from focusing on the “ouchie” (instead of what you have to say). Even men use makeup in these situations.
Haha, Bunsen, you flatter me! Of course I have blemishes, and I am starting to get wrinkles/lines too (the horror?)! I just don’t feel that they need to be covered up. We all get them, what’s the big deal? There are exceptions to everything, but I think most minor imperfections are just fine (that’s what makes us human), but that’s just me!
Does Burt’s Bees Lip Balm count as makeup? Cause that’s the only thing I put on this morning and most every morning. That has been pretty much my routine for the last 55 years.
I might think hair or clothes for a “polished” look, but not make up. But that’s probably because I don’t wear make-up and it has no importance to me!!!
I totally agree. I wear makeup to parties and am not convinced I actually look better with it. I wore so much for a 1920’s flapper party once, my best friend did not recognize me which was pretty disconcerting!
I don’t think many people anyone on this thread said you *needed *to wear make up, but at least several post said nearly everyone would look better if they wore some.
" I read somewhere that Kim K sometimes spends 3 - 5 hours getting her makeup put on."
But that’s her main job!
@BunsenBurner, completely unrelated, I am sorry - I really like your cats.
Sorry, back to the thread!
Thanks! They are very special, pedigreed cats, lol. They come from a long line of free range, dumpster cats of Central Asia.
Back to the thread.
@acollegestudent I don’t really know how to respond. It’s just sort of a standard in every work environment (and social environments except when sweating) I’ve ever been in, which spans many states including my business travel. Not every female wears full makeup, by any means. I don’t even know what full makeup would be! I am not used to seeing many women (no matter what the job level) in the business world without something that person believes enhances their appearance/features/confidence/whatever. This might be some mascara, some blush, some lipstick or gloss, some concealer or bright green eye shadow! There is a huge range. But the absolutely naked face is pretty rare- and even what one might think is a naked face probably has some concealer or a tinted moisturizer on it.
I would like to know also.
I wear makeup, color my longish hair, usually wear earrings and occasionally a necklace.
But I never wear dresses, I detest high heels, I don’t get into purses or shoes, and I wouldn’t be able to name more than one or two designers if my life depended on it. I would be bored out of my mind at a fashion show. I live in blue jeans, scrubs, or on a nice occasion, a more formal pantsuit. I admire athletic women and aspire to be as “sporty” as my nonathletic body will let me be; I also respect smart women, talented women, and physical beauty in various manifestations.
I’ve raised one “girly girl” and one “earth mother” type (her own description of herself). The girly girl used to be a major tomboy, and on her own initiative, gravitated over to the other extreme. Looks like a sorority girl and could probably ID every purse she sees by designer. Yet still loves to go out and shoot skeet or play poker with her guy friends. She’s going into a completely male dominated profession with no qualms. The “earth mother” was very much a girly girl as a child and, while she has no problem throwing on a dress now and then, eschews makeup entirely and rarely does anything “special” to her long hair, typically wears jeans and t-shirts. Would rather have a root canal than give up a day of hiking or other outdoor activity to shop. Clearly I haven’t inflicted any one kind of definition of “female” on either of my girls.
I think we ALL lie along a spectrum, and perhaps even in different places on the spectrum with respect to different topics of woman hood or female-ness. The “media” may well present a more narrow image of the ideal woman, but not as narrow as one might insist. It would never occur to me to be outraged that somehow CJ’s presentation in Vanity Fair magazine somehow excluded me from “womanhood” simply because it’s worlds away from the way I present myself.
Different strokes. Happiness and inner confidence is attractive.
No worries, @MomofWildChild - I understand your response - that’s just what you’ve seen done (that’s what I’ve seen done as well). I guess, for me, it’s just not a good enough reason to do it.
Great discussion, especially the topic of “What makes a woman?”
On the topic of makeup, you can wear it and you can not wear it. Do some, if not most, people look better with it? Yes. Fresh, clear skin is always a plus in my book. Does that mean everyone has to wear makeup because they look tres drab without it? No. Makeup is enhancer, and if you wear enough of it it can be a mask. I generally wear makeup – although can’t get it down to 5 minutes…I cherish my eyebrows far too much – but I also go without makeup when I want to. I tend to wear bronzer and blush everyday because I think it brightens up my face.
In regards to the work place, I have heard that women should wear makeup. I’ve had one professor tell all the women in the class to wear makeup for the career fair. In my opinion, he should’ve suggested that to everyone. Men, too, can benefit from a bit of bronzer and under eye concealer. 
um why is this on college confidential again? I thought this was strictly for college or academic questions.
That’s why they call it the Parent Cafe
This thread has sure morphed. What’s that old thing paternalistic men used to say happens when you put a bunch of women together? How they start pecking on each other-? Sorry, but this is silly. This is a case, imo, where you can’t win through attacks. You can’t say I’ll do as I please and you should do as I please. Think about it. Time for a truce.
All this over Caitlyn?
It’s not just a matter of “what I’ve seen done”. I saw my parents drink martinis all the time, too, but I never did that!
I enjoy color and playing with makeup. It’s fun. I don’t regard it as a chore or something I’m doing to please society or “the man”. Anyone who has met me or seen pictures of me would probably laugh at this discussion because I am a casual, athletic, low-maintenance person, and what I am writing sounds like I wouldn’t answer the door without my lipstick! I guess I put it all in the camp of: not wearing torn or dirty clothes, practicing good hygiene, wearing clothes that are flattering rather than dated or frumpy, presenting as having energy and a good attitude…
“I’ve had one professor tell all the women in the class to wear makeup for the career fair.”
I would have had a real problem if any of my professors said that. Thankfully, they didn’t.