Whats the point of Makeup?

Question

I never really understood what the point of Girls wearing make-up...I think that if no one did it wouldnt matter...I don't really think it makes girls prettier...Does anyone know why its so important for girls to wear it...I prefer the natural look.

Answer 1

In Greco-Roman societies, women wore white lead and chalk on their faces to attract attention. Ancient Egyptians wore foundation to lighten their skin, and the kohl eyeliner they used was only a bit heavier than the eye makeup popular in the mid-1960s. Meanwhile, Persians believed henna dyes, used to stain hair and faces, enabled them to summon the majesty of the earth.

The European Middle Ages followed the Greco-Roman trend of pale faces. Those rich enough not to work outdoors and acquire a suntan wanted to show off their affluence by being pale. Fashionable sixth-century women would achieve the look by bleeding themselves. Spanish prostitutes wore pink makeup to contrast with high-class women's pale faces, while regal 13th-century Italian women wore pink lipstick to show they could afford synthetic makeup.

During the Italian Renaissance, women wore lead paint on their faces. The damage inflicted by the lead was unintentional?but arsenic face powder wasn't. Aqua Toffana, named for creator Signora Toffana, was a face powder designed for women from rich families. The container directed women to visit the signora for proper usage instructions. During the visit, women would be instructed never to ingest the makeup, but to apply it to their cheeks when their husbands were around. Six hundred dead husbands (and many wealthy widows) later, Toffana was executed.

In Elizabethan England, cosmetics were seen as a health threat because many thought they would block vapors and energy from circulating properly. Because men's makeup wasn't as obvious as women's (women wore egg whites over their faces to create a glazed look), it was seen as even more deceptive than women's.

By the reign of Charles II, Europe was still recovering from sweeps of illness. Many were hesitant to go outdoors, so heavy makeup supplied the color that sun-fearing people couldn't get elsewhere. During the French Restoration in the 18th century, red rouge and lipstick were the rage and implied a healthy, fun-loving spirit. This stuck in France, but eventually people in other countries became repulsed by excessive makeup use and said the painted French must be unattractive because they had something to hide. Well, it wasn't just the French who had something to hide.... throughout history, people have tried to use makeup to cover mild to severe imperfections and discoloration of the skin. However, only in recent decades have producers of cosmetic lines been truly able to offer a realistic and natural full coverage product.

Victorians claimed to abhor makeup, associating it with prostitutes. When makeup regained acceptance in the late 19th century, it was with natural tones so that the healthy, pink-cheeked look could be achieved without giving in to the moral decadence of full makeup, which was still seen as sinful.

The Victorian face was in fashion until mass makeup marketing hit in the 1920s. American women gained the vote, and the newly liberated woman showed how free she was by displaying her right to speak out?red lipstick practically became a social necessity. From the 1930s through the 1950s, the looks of various movie stars defined vogue, from Mary Pickford's baby-doll face to Audrey Hepburn's cat-eyes eyeliner. The '60s brought a slew of makeup changes, from whited-out lips and Egyptian-style eyeliner to fantasy images like butterflies painted on faces at high-fashion outings. The heavy eyeliner look remained through the late '70s and '80s, with wide color ranges entering the wearer's palette.

Makeup of today's Western world is much more encompassing-- both in cultural trends and styles, but also through having branched out to various subcultural groups. Stylistically it generally seems to be a melange of past styles with a new revival on the natural look; natural look that took centuries of painting faces to achieve.

Answer 2

Makeup is optional but not everyone is a natural beauty....Makeup enhances features that you may not notice otherwise. Do I believe makeup makes someone beautiful No but it does help. I wish I could go without makeup but unfortunately I have uneven skin and appear tired on a daily basis...makeup gives me a fresher look and the confidence I need.

Answer 3

The point of makeup is to enhance natural beauty and cover up imperfections such as zits and age spots. Unfortunately, lots of girls go over board and wear green eye shadow up to their eyebrows. But if they use neutral colors and a little mascara it makes their eyes pop and a light colored lip gloss can make their lips look more plump and "kissable" if you will. The main purpose of makeup is to help woman's self confidence so that they feel more attractive to men. That's why we do it!

Answer 4

i think it can really enhance a girl's features. not all of us were born with natural beauty =\..

you're right that if no one did, it wouldn't matter, but some people have insecurities and want to change that with makeup.

Answer 5

Well darlin' if you saw me without makeup? Case closed, you'd understand exactly what kind of magic properly applied makeup can do cause I would horrify you without it.

Makeup applied correctly is capable of creating the illusion of natural, naked appearance that looks healthy, radiant and attractive. Gobs of goop however is just plain nasty.

Actually I wear mascara and lip tint in summer and mascara, liptint and blush in winter, yes my makeup is still a money drainer...every kind of mascara and liptint known to man...er woman it's a habit I can't seem to break...so far no one has run the other way from my ugliness but I have had compliments on how good I look (of course people do lie)...okay, so I guess I'm not quite the ogre I made it sound like in the beginning but some women slap makeup on because they want to feel as attractive as possible. Sometimes it works...sometimes it doesn't :)

Take care and boy, you're lucky to be a guy, all guys look great without makeup ;)

Take care

Answer 6

Women have always, always, always worn make up. It is part of an ancient mating ritual in which we (women) try to impress you (men) by appearing to be more fertile. We wear blush to look more healthy, and lipstick for the same reason. Wide eyes give the appearance of innocence (translation=virgin) therefore mascara. We don't wear it for the same reason today, but this is wear it comes from. Now we just don't like to be "that girl that never wears makeup."

Answer 7

I didn't start wearing make up until I was around 21. Up to that time my complexion was flawless. But due to exposure to the sun, age, etc. I felt my skin needed a little help to look smooth again. I am now 45 and still only wear foundation, that's it. I never wear lipstick, eye liner, eye shadow - none of that stuff. I still must look pretty good, I get hit on all the time. Good for my ego. lol

Answer 8

You are very rare. Most people prefer the done up look. Life is much harder when you don't fit in and feeling good about yourself makes it easier. When I have my makeup on I fit in better and I feel better about myself. I know that makes it sound like fitting in is the most important thing but it really isn't.If I cared about that I wouldn't be wearing all black most of the time. I agree I don't think it would matter if no one wore it. The truth is there is a buisiness out there making a lot of money on what we girls slap on our face every day and as long as it is still for sale we will keep buying it. There is nothing to do about it. Not enough people think it is a bad or un-important thing.

Answer 9

i wear makeup to go for the natural look....

Answer 10

It just makes some people feel better about themselves... I guess. If nobody wore makeup it really wouldnt matter, No one look practically perfect, and make those who dont look perfect feel more insecure than they need to.

Answer 11

My favs. are CoverGirl, L'Oreal,Nutregena, Bare Minerals,Max factor, Physican's Formula , Revlon, N.Y.C, Wet-n- Wild, some of Victoria's Secrets, MaryKate and Ashley, Maybillene, Mary Kay products and Avon. It depends on the items like Maybillene has the best mascara, Revlon has nicer shades in lipstick and last longer, all 3 Nutregena, Bare Minerals And Physican's Formula are best for those who have break outs (pimples) and blemishes and sensitive skin.Victoria secret has the best Plump Lipglosses, Mary Kate and Ashley some of their stuff is unique they have Glitter Mascara now, they were actually the 1st to make roll-on eyeshadow. Then Maybillene. They have alot of glitter stuff and some other stuff that the other's don't have. Max Factor has really nice powdered mix bronzers and mixed powdered blushes ETC..... Well I think you get the point. Happy Easter ! I 'll add you to my contacts. Bye!! :):):)