What Do Guys Think of Makeup?
Yesterday we covered the idea that the first thing that I see when I see a girl or woman is her face. That being the case, Christa Taylor asks the next logical question about that which ladies put on their face, makeup. Specifically, she wants to know
What do guys think of makeup? Is it appreciated or something they dislike? Can a woman appear too seductive when wearing dark eye shadow or mascara?
In General
No surprise here: Just like clothing, I think that makeup can either enhance or detract from inner beauty. I think that what you choose to wear on your face, much like what you choose to wear on your body, indicates your heart attitude.
In Particular
Personally, I am a guy of utility over presentation. To put it more simply, when I was out and dating I was looking for a girl that could look good naturally, or with minimal effort. I am a realist, and I knew that there would be more times that I would probably see my wife sans makeup, and I took very little prep time in the morning myself, so I couldn’t see having all that bathroom contention and delay, and I looked for someone that matched that goal.
That being said, it’s pretty easy to see the wonders that can be done with makeup. Some people can be totally transformed from normal to attractive with makeup. Others use it conceal with great effect.
Do I appreciate it? I appreciate the time it takes, and the look of a girl that has a “natural” look—not overdoing it but complimenting her features.
Can dark eye shadow make a woman appear seductive? I would have to say yes on this one—even though I’m at a loss to explain exactly why. I think it must be something with drawing attention to the eye, and bringing the person in. There is probably some linkage to usage—a kind of association—where since all we see that look associated with is people that sell their bodies.
Closing Thoughts
I would say that you need to find a healthy balance when it comes to makeup. It needs to show a purity from within, compliment your features, and look natural. If you’re going over the top, you’d better be doing it for your hubby in the privacy of your own home.
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your answer is much appreciated!
Thank you.
Christa Taylors last blog post..Makeup: Part 2
Yeap,
funny thing is nobody notice me or opens the door (to get into a shop with a pram) in town, but as soon as I put makeup on (I need to do some ID pics), everbody (eh men) is there to help…
@Christa Taylor: Thanks for the question and the interesting discussion!
@Zakiah: It does draw attention, the question always is whether it’s good attention.
@min
Yes your are right, but its just unfair, that people treat you after how you look like.
This “association” thing, you said about dark eyes fits to the whole topic of modesty.
Thanks a lot for your input.
This question was directed at men, so here are my thoughts on the subject.
In 1 Tim. 2:9 Paul writes “I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, *not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes*
One of the main reasons for woman to dress modestly is to not draw attention to their bodies. That is what the above items do. I believe that makeup falls in the same category. It’s main purpose is to draw attention to the wearer’s body.
Can makeup cause someone look more attractive? Certainly (although it is often over-done and has the opposite affect). But to what end? Why emphasize one’s outer beauty instead of the inner beauty of one’s spirit? (Which is spoken of in verse 10.) Ask yourself, what is the purpose in wearing the makeup? Is it to attract attention?
This is not in the context of a play or movie, where makeup is used for dramatic effect, but rather in the more general manner of woman applying makeup on a daily basis, or even just for special events.
Makeup is often worn to draw attention, yes, however that’s not its only purpose. It’s not inherently immodest. I neglected my skin in the past, and light foundation does wonders to cover up some reddish areas and blemishes.
In my opinion, most men hate makeup.
Also in my opinion, makeup isn’t meant to draw attention to the body but to the face. Plus, I don’t wear makeup to attract men. I wear it for my own comfort. I feel exposed and vulnerable without makeup on, it’s once I “put on my face,” that I can face the day.
Zakiah, I’m totally with you – people shouldn’t open doors, etc. based on appearance, but that just goes to show you that “Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.”
Anna Graces last blog post..Sleigh Ride, Relient K
I prefer women with no make-up. I think make up doesn’t do anything for women really. But a light touch if she is going out.
.-= Beauty and Makeup´s last blog ..Skin Treatments That You Always Wanted to Know =-.
Ah, guys and make-up. One of my pet peeves of sorts. I’m not particularly attached to my make-up. I wear it in such a way that I look natural on the occasions that I wear any at all. The purpose is not to “draw attention to a woman’s body” but to enhance the beauty that God gave you because it’s not longer as beautiful as He intended in the Beginning. The problem I have is that I hear guy harp about how girls look better without make-up, girls are way prettier and more attractive without it, etc. etc. etc. But if you watch, you’ll notice that those guys just THINK they don’t like make-up because they only time they know they’re seeing it is when it’s overdone. The girls they think are the most attractive are the girls that wear it naturally. NOT the girls that don’t wear any at all. I once had a guy friend who liked me (I was kinda trying to get rid of him) mentioned that he would never marry a girl who wore make-up. I informed him that I didn’t think he could tell the difference. Of course, he argued with me and I went and put some make-up on. He got mad because, like I had said, he couldn’t tell the difference!
Very good article, btw.
#Feb2011NCARating
Abigail Joy´s last post ..Perfection
I don’t wear makeup every day, but I think it definetely gives my face a light “groomed” look. Same thing with a nice hairstyle. For a guy he grooms by shaving and applying gel to his short hair if desired and for me, I apply some black eyeliner, face makeup that matches my skin tone on some of my red splotchy skin and blood vessels, pink blush to my cheeks and eyelids for a face that lightly says “I didn’t just roll out of bed.” Of course, I’m just going to come out and also say that I think we could do away with this social grooming practice but for me, it would take women as a whole to agree on this one, and then men to get used to seeing all women without it. I personally feel that by just me stopping this practice of makeup on my face, would not solve anything. It would only be construed as me looking “ungroomed” or “looking subservient in looks to other women.” And, frankly, I don’t want to be singled out as “an unkept woman” while other women go around and try to “fool” men into thinking they are more “kept” than other women. It’s similar in some ways to anything else a woman does to her outward appearance that she does so she can attract a mate/man. For example, one is breast implants which is an obnoxious overstatement of her body so that she may claim more femininity than other women, and thus physically attract man much more easily. Another example is form fitting/sexy clothing while in the presence of other women who are not provocitively dressed so that the women with sexy clothes may get more attention upon first meeting a mate/man. So the real question should be should women not go out of their way to attract male attention with physical parameters? I honestly think guys like the makeup if its not overdone, comparable to their taste. They just probably aren’t thinking of a world with red pimples, red splotchy skin, brown splotchy skin, etc on their gal pals’ faces, with no cover ups for red acne ever. Guys are probably thinking sure I don’t like makeup on women. Sometimes I think it looks clown like or intimidating or too seductive& I don’t want to look at that seductive woman because I feel guilty since I love my equally sexy cute thang at home or currently at my side. Or, I just don’t want to deal with fake faces because I want to see what all real women’s faces look like sans makeup so I can pick the best looking bare face beauty; c’mon women make it easy on me! Just all idea here from my end. Am I right guys? Should all women nix the makeup, the breast implants, the breast lifts, the heine lifts implants, the sexy clothes? Would you like that better?
I agree with Abigail Joy in that guys cannot tell natural makeup from skin IF properly done. The purpose of the “natural look” is to look like yourself, only better. No one should be able to tell that you have anything on. (Other girls can probably tell, but only because they know what to look for)
Ask yourself the reasons why you are doing it? Is it to glorify God? Is it to present the gospel in an attractive, yet modest, package? Is it to boost your self confidence? Or is it to seduce/ attract a man? Is it to make other girls jealous? Is it to look wordly?
Makeup in itself is not sinful, but certain attitudes are. Ask yourself what you are trying to convey by wearing makeup.