"You Don't Need to Wear Make-Up"

In the past few days my boyfriend has said to me at least three times, whilst pacing behind me with his coat on, that I don't need to put make-up on. At the time I've been sat contentedly applying mascara for about as long as it's taken him to get a shower, get ready and pace enough to burn off breakfast. All I manage in response is a fleeting, deadpan expression in his direction from under my mascara wand. But I think it's about time I try to elaborate on this commonly used expression. 

Dear all men,

You think that telling a woman she doesn't need to wear make-up is a compliment. In your way, you're telling her she doesn't need to cover anything up or accentuate anything. But I beg you to stop. I can't speak for all women - but if I can prevent one man from unnecessarily uttering the phrase again - I've done my job. 

I don't wear make-up because I need to. Of course, that's an objective view - I'm sure some would disagree if they saw me first thing in a morning. But I don't ever sit in my room and apply layers of foundation (men: that's the skin-coloured goo in a bottle) because I can't bear to go outside otherwise. I'm quite comfortable going outside without make-up on. There are some women less fortunate who aren't able to do that - so this isn't aimed at them. 

I'm not claiming to have great skin by any stretch of the imagination. Although my make-up might be used to cover up the odd spot, it serves much greater purpose. There are, of course, many women that will apply make-up every day because they feel they need it. And if that's your girlfriend, then you are excused. I'm specifically talking about the type of woman who, like me, uses make-up because she wants to. 

Make-up, and beauty products in general, mean a far lot more than what meets the male eye.  Reading about a new product in a magazine, seeing new seasonal beauty trends, the rush of buying a new lipstick, the sensual overload as you apply a new blusher for the first time, the feel of a new palette in your hand, the silent pride as you perfect a smoky eye - there is nothing comparable to the pleasure of a true beauty addict getting her fix. 

Fashion and beauty trends come and go - but they define time. What differentiates one season from the next has a lot to do with trends and the events and affairs that influence them. New make-up on the shelves may look like a tube of goop to the untrained boyfriend, but they stand for so much more. 

Make-up is all about the senses - the colours, textures, smells, how they feel as we apply them and how we feel when we wear them. Applying make-up is a meditative, relaxing process. It's a chance for people like me, whose drawings look like a five-year-old who's used their feet, to be creative. 

We don't need make-up. But my god do we want it. 

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Beauty is much more than a pretty face - The Body Shop

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