I know you’re probably thinking what the heck am I talking about but this has been on my mind lately so I would like to have a discussion about it. People tend to ask that annoying question “Why do you wear makeup? You don’t need it” all the time and it’s starting to get on my last nerves. No I don’t need to wear makeup per say as I have pretty decent skin but I like to wear makeup so I do. I feel more polished and put together overall, makeup completes my total look.
However, I feel that yes you do need to wear makeup. Now before you guys jump down my throat let me explain. Once you are past a certain age and have a career, during workdays I feel that you do need some kind of makeup to complete your total look. Maybe you have gorgeous skin and don’t need foundation but groomed brows, a little mascara and lipgloss, and maybe a little blush in a natural shade will do to complete your look. If you have uneven skin tone throw in a tinted moisturizer or bb cream. Some women are absolutely anti-makeup and refuse to wear anything and that’s fine and dandy for them, but I am sorry I just can’t get with this. I see some women with their hair all done up and the flyest outfit but then they have absolutely nothing on their face, not even lipgloss. Smh no. I don’t likey. It always seems as if they are missing something and they look kind of “dry.”
Now I’m not saying you have to beat your face to the gods every single day but just do a little polishing. Even when I don’t wear a full face of makeup I don’t go to work bare faced. For example, in the above picture I am wearing a tinted moisturizer, mascara, blush and a nude lipstick. Of course I groomed my brows. I don’t have on a lot but I am polished and being polished is a part of my daily work uniform and completes the total package. Now the weekends are a different story. As long as my brows are groomed and I have something to moisturize my lips I am good. Unless I’m going out then that’s a different story but for basic chilling, shopping, laundry etc. this is enough polishing for me.
I know everyone is not going to agree with me and some of you may go hard in the comments but sound off… What are your thoughts…
47 Responses
I have been following your blog for awhile now, but this is my first time posting because I too feel strongly about this topic! 🙂
I feel that there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with wearing a little makeup, and I too am annoyed when people say to me, “Girl, you don’t need make up!” Duh, I know that people! What I really want to say to those people sometimes is, “Girl, why DON’T you wear any make up?!” and see if they can come up with an explanation! Just like it’s OK for them to walk around bare-faced, why shouldn’t I have the freedom to walk around sporting a little color?! I wear make up for the very reason you stated; it gives me a more polished look. I like to dress nicely/extra femininely as well, and I think I look crazy dressed nicely from head to toe and not wearing anything on my face to complement the look. I do not rock a full face daily (I’m waaaaaayyyyyy to lazy for that), but most days when I’m leaving the house I do like to wear a touch of blush just to brighten my face, and I’m NEVER without lip gloss! I sometimes opt to skip brows because I wear long bangs that tend to cover my brows anyway, but blush and gloss is a MUST for me! So to sum it up, I say continue to do you girl and learn to ignore those that give you grief! We KNOW that we’re beautiful with and without make up and how we choose to express that beauty is our business! 🙂
Well said. Preach! 🙂
OMG! Now maybe you don’t want to wear any makeup every single day okay, fine. Where I live, black girls get dressed to go out and all they put on is their MAC lipglass. Like they’re doing something. No. If you’re dressed to the 9’s and have on no makeup then you are not dressed. Ugggghhhh! That drives me crazy!
Yes, half stepping is unacceptable. If you’re going to bring it you have to bring it completely!
I agree having bare face just oftentimes doesnt do it. I can be wearing the nicest suit to work and have the cutest hair style but looking in the mirror I can see something is missing!once I put some foundation (black opal stick foundation), lip gloss and mascara..instantly I look FAB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would like to wear blush but still cannot find one to suit my skin tone..lol.
That’s exactly how I feel. You know I loves me some blush, I can help you I just need to see your skintone 🙂
I feel you on this, I hate when people ask me that. But like you said as you get older, you do need to hide those dark cirles and even out that skin. I love my makeup all day everyday, LOL
Lol Lawd knows I have raccoon eyes and definitely need to cover my dark circles
I love this post!! Up until about 4yrs ago, I didn’t wear any makeup,didn’t own and makeup and had NO idea what to do with makeup! My how my that has changed.I was always hearing you look like a little girl and not that I wanted to look older but I wanted to look like I was 22 and not 15. I started wearing liner,gloss,mascara and blush and I fell in love with how refined I look. Now whenever I’m going out I wear a little makeup and I always feel a little more confident. Not saying makeup will give you special powers BUT that guy across the bar will notice how bright your eyes are with that inner corner highlight or he’ll love how your cheeks glow when you smile!! So for me…yea I do have to wear makeup!
This!!! ♥
Very very good topic! I agree that no one really NEEDS to wear makeup but I believe in looking polished and doggone it a little concealer and bronzer helps me look polished, then so be it. At the same time, I am a bit of hippie and go bare faced plenty of times. Especially in the summertime here in Florida. And I’m horrible b/c I’ll groom everything BUT my brows…ha! It’s all about balance. I think it is an issue when women feel the need to wear makeup in the comforts of their own home. That’s true makeup dependency but hey, to each their own!
Lol I can not leave without my brows groomed as they are almost non-existent. Since my hair is short they stand out more so that’s a no go for me.
You just made me think about when I used to be on forums heavy and one chic said that she wears her makeup to bed and takes it off when her boyfriend went to sleep, and then woke up before him to reapply as she didn’t want him to see her without makeup. Now that’s makeup dependency right there! When I’m at home I’m a bare faced girl to the fullest… “Sweat pants, hair tied, chilling with no makeup on” 😉
Great post and I agree with everything you said. I’m from a small country town so people wearing makeup is rare but I do. Sure people are not going to understand but it’s a personal choice and their opinion on the matter shouldn’t even be discussed. But of course people think they know what’s best.
As always the case!
OMG!! I love your topic of choice today.. and U hit the nail on the head… I hate for people to ask me that too. and YES I dont need makeup just like you or I dont need alot of things.. BUT IS MY/OUR PREROGATIVE TO DO WHAT WE WANNA DO!! (LOL).. It just ERRRRRKS my nerves.. and like you said outside work if you feel like chillaxin and not doing nothing then less to none is fine.. but work and major outtings. YES we should look polished
Lol *singing its my prerogative* but yeah, it’s just a part of being a grown up and a lady. Certain things are just necessary and I feel like this is one of them
So true.
Reading the comments is so funny. Now that I’m in my 30’s, I really do kind of need makeup. I don’t do full face or even blush everyday, but concealer and my MAC msf is a must!
I totally feel you. My Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, MAC MSFN, Mascara, Blush and Lipstick has been my face all day. Been too tired in the morn to do much of anything else
Well, I used to go out without anything until I met you…You taught me to step my game up LOL. Now I dont leave the house without putting on mascara, grooming my brows and lipstick is a must!!! Thanks cuz for upgrading me 😛
Awww no problem cuz. You know I have to make sure my entire team is on point. That’s how we do! xoxo 🙂
I love this topic. Yes, I believe that I need makeup because it makes me feel more polished and in command. I am an NW45 who loves her vibrant purples, oranges, bronzes, greens, teals, etc.. When I wear eyeshadow, lipgloss/lipstick, etc.. I feel like “I OWN IT”.
OOOh you like my type of colors girl! 🙂
On the weekends, I am anti make-up. I’m just too lazy to put anything on (and I’m ok with a ‘fresh-faced’ look), so it’s lip balm (not even gloss) and out the door. During the week I’m a minimalist: eyeliner, mascara, eyeshadow and a tinted lip moisturizer. I think the industry in which you work should determine how hard you beat your face. I’m an elementary school teacher, so I don’t wear heels or lots of make-up at work – I just don’t see the point. I think if I worked in an industry where I interfaced with adults frequently, I would definitely beat my face a little harder (and wear heels). Overall, I think if you feel good wearing make-up, then wear it. If not, then don’t. I have to agree with you though that when a woman is all dressed up with a beautiful hairdo and no makeup, it looks very odd…
Sounds good to me. I work in a library and can pretty much dress down at all times but I dress according to my mood. If I feel like dressing to the nines one day I will. If I feel like flats (which is rare since I don’t have many lol) and jeans than that’s fine too. I beat my face according to my mood as well or if I am doing a look for the blog
Do not let me come to work “overly dressed” I must have a date or I’m going somewhere… smh lol
lol They always think I am going somewhere at work. Can’t a girl just dress up for no reason?! geesh! 🙂
Wow, lol this post intrigued me from the get-go! I totlally agree with you Mz. More! I absolutely love wearing makeup and sometimes I feel naked without it. However, I also know when and where to go all out and when less is more. I even joke around with my mom that I would even wear makeup in the desert if need be, lol. My Revlon Colorstay is that comfortable! I do exactly what you do; dress it up during the week and when I’m on outings,and dress it down and keep it simple on weekends. I’m a believer in always striving to look approachable [presentable] when going out in public. Anyway, I also dilike when people try to act like something’s wrong with you if you happen to be a make afficianado. I swear I look at some girls and be like, “Geez, u cud do a lot betta with a little blush and face powder, groomed brows, and a nude lip!”
xoxo,
kk
Yes, I swear some chics preaching that no makeup stuff can benefit from not only a little but a whole lot. Ashy, dry, dull skin is not cute at all! lol
It’s funny I was going to write a similar post because I’m completely annoyed with the comments I receive. Lately, especially during the week I wear makeup daily. It’s for some of the same reasons you pointed out. I look more polish, professional, and complete. Also, since I am also a makeup artist and beauty blogger, I have to look the part. Seriously, someone said “I don’t need makeup. I’m already beautiful.” It has nothing to do with not being beautiful or with being insecure. People have their reasons, and just because you don’t like to wear makeup because you don’t know how to properly apply it doesn’t mean other people shouldn’t. Uggh it annoys the crap out of me.
Exactly my points girl… and I know the feeling myself as a fellow beauty blogger and MUA. Sometimes I beat it to the gods as if I was going out on the town on a regular day just because. As an MUA you are a walking advertisement for yourself 😉
Foundation, brown pencil and mascara are every day must haves for me whenever I step out no matter what. I’m also a fan of lipstick and lip gloss but those are make up products that I don’t have to wear every day. The problem with a lot of people who ask questions like that, is that they seem to think that makeup is supposed to cover up everything when really the purpose is to enhance. I also noticed that a lot of the people going around saying things like, “I don’t wear makeup,” like it’s a badge of honor could actually use a little. Actually, to answer your question, I think everyone could use a little bit of makeup. It could be a little concealer, a little liner or something minor as you pointed out.
Yup, exactly my point. Doesn’t have to be a lot but polish up.
Erica, I always pay attention to your tips and topics, but I think this hits home for a lot of women like us. I too get the same question and to me it is offensive. I have even had a man to tell me that my eyelashes were to long and if I shortened them that would make me look cuter. Like, I really asked your opionion or I actually put them on to please you. Yes, a mature women does need to put something on her face or skin to enhance what she has going on. Like you, I feel it polishes the look. Usually I do not leave the house with out something and it is very rare when I do not put on a full face. But on those days when I don’t I have on eyeliner and lip gloss. So, those of you who don’t wear make-up do not beat me up because I choose to. You made your choice allow me to make mine.
SMOOCHES
http://www.divinedivastyle.com
That’s right girl. Oh and men can be the worse and very hypocritical. Claiming they don’t like makeup because it’s fake but praise and worship fake hair, nails, booty injections and the like… and celebs that wear tons and tons of makeup to alter their appearance and look totally different. Don’t get me started! lol
Awesome post! I couldnt have said it better myself! I dont NEED 2 wear it
but I WANT 2
First off you are gorgeous! Love this post and your blog! its nice to see tutorials and tips from a woman of color thats similar to my shade. I wantes to know what tintes moisturizer are you wearing in the above pic, I have been trying to find one that matches for years with no luck!
Thank you so much, I am glad that you are enjoying the blog 🙂
I am wearing Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer in Mocha
I’m in favor of people doing whatever in Sam Heck they want to do with their own faces. LOL. I’m a card-carrying Glamazon, so I stay weaved-up and made-up, but if the next woman wants to be a Balding Barefaced Betty, she has that right.
I just wish these au naturel types would quit applying silly stereotypes to those of us who swear by the Wonderful World of Cosmetics, simply because they “don’t get” our fascination with it. Don’t even get me started on the ones who think every woman who wears makeup is only doing so to “attract men.” Chile puhleeze!
Lmao @ Balding Barefaced Betty. Lawd!
I wear make-up during the weekdays because I work, go to school and want to cover up acne scars. I will say that after wearing make-up ALL DAY, I can’t WAIT to get home and take it off. On weekends, I don’t wear make-up at all however, if I am out running errands, I MAY wear eyeshadow, liner, mascara and lipstick/gloss. It really depends.
I find that most of the women that comment about not having to wear makeup or say you don’t need makeup are the ones that don’t KNOW HOW to wear makeup at all. I don’t need it, but it’s fun to me and almost like a hobby for me to collect makeup. To each their own..I guess.
I like make-up and have become overly interested in it lately. I just hate foundation! I have powder but I also have oily skin. I normally focus on the eyes and lips. I just hate to even think about giving a co-worker a hug then see my make-up on their clothing..so not cool.
I remember this topic coming up on longhaircareforum a while back and at first I was like heck no we don’t all need makeup! But after some thought I now agree with this opinion. I’m not a big makeup wearer, but I do agree that it makes you look more polished.
I don’t usually comment but I just had to say, “Thank You”. I just started wearing make up after reading your website. I could NEVER find the right makeup for my skin tone (I am so glad you give advice to your brownskin sisters). I started trying the lipsticks, foundation, and eye shadow, that you talked about on your website. I have been getting all positive remarks from both men and women and I tell them about your website but what really surprised me was when one of my best friends (who doesn’t have a filter) said, “girl you should never leave home without your face”! She said it makes me look softer and approachable. I agree. Thanks again.
You are very welcome and I’m glad that I could be an inspiration. Thank you for the support and continue to enjoy your new journey! 🙂