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Monday, November 23, 2009

Makeup Days

The other Saturday morning Omega caught me applying the usual bit of makeup to my mug. She usually doesn’t poke her head out into the weekend until well into the pm’s so possibly this was something she hadn’t witnessed before.

She asked where I was going. I told her I had no plans, which caused her to give me the squinty-eye/doubtful look.
“Then, WHY, are you putting on makeup?”

“Because,” I explained “putting on makeup, as well as deodorant, is my gift to civilization.”

She seemed to take this as one more sign that her 50-ish mother is on the expressway to crazy-old-ladyhood. Okay, I don’t deny that course, but I don’t think that the use of makeup is one of the milestones. Is it?

I’ve never been a heavy user but I find that the older I get, the more I prefer a bit of mascara magic (applied with a wand, duh) on my lashes… just so everyone can tell that I have lashes. And yes, I do this even if I intend to spend the whole day working in my yard because I don’t want to become known in the ‘hood as that dotty old lady with no eyes!

Plus I was a product of the ‘Keep America Beautiful’ generation.

I have friends who wouldn’t consider getting out of the car to pump gas without their full face on – everything from foundation to lip liner to eyelid primer. And I have others who consider chap stick to be adequate.

I’m somewhere in between. Where are you? And, because I’m nosy, are you using more or less these days than you used to?

Just trying to get a feel for the competition, you know.
In case I want to enter the Ms. Sunset Manor pageant someday.

19 comments:

Bacardi Mama said...

I pretty much have worn the same make up amount for as long as I can remember. If it's sunny outside, I have no problem wearing no make up and my sunglasses. But I sure won't take them off. Most of the time, I have on make up. Not tons, but enough to cover all the flaws.

Cathy Winsby said...

I prefer the way I look with makeup but more often than not I go without. At 41 I need it more than ever but I hate the way it feels on my skin and I have a nasty habit of rubbing my eyes....the raccoon look hasn't become fashionable yet so I'm better off without!

Diane said...

I have become an incredible slacker, because I work from home and rarely go anwywhere. I really don't bother much unless I'm going out. Hell, I hardly even shower unless I'm going out! And I still use about the same as I always have when I DO go out... but I'm thinking I might need to find some of that miracle make-up that doesn't settle into wrinkles. Turns out all the fat I was holding onto was plumping them out... now that I've lost weight, they SHOW! Who know that'd happen?!

Sultan said...

Personally, I have a no make-up policy ever for myself, but I believe that everyone should follow their own counsel in these matters.

Becca said...

I next to never wear makeup..and here is a shocker, I don't color my hair anymore either. What did women do before the advent of men who think we have to look like made up Barbie Dolls?

Anonymous said...

I know I'm in Texas where the makeup's usually as heavy as our drawl, but...I don't wear much. I won't leave the house without my bareminerals foundation (love it!) just to tone down the ol' rosacea. Don't wear mascara because I haven't found any that won't give me raccoon eyes when I laugh. (When these Irish eyes are smilin' they squint. Big time.) For work I wear the foundation, a little neutral or dark green eyeshadow, and some neutralish lipgloss. I spend quite a bit of time applying my makeup so that it looks like I'm not wearing any. Shoot. Now I'm afraid I'm gonna lose my Texas Rodeo Queen/Sorority Bitch Membership card!

Tracie said...

I live for the days that I don't have to put makeup on! But I can run errands without any on, I wear only slightly more than I did 20 years ago

Sheri and George said...

I never leave the house with out at least applying my Bare Minerals foundation and some mascara. I would scare everyone I came in contact with if I didn't!
I have worn makeup since I was old enough to know what it was for and how to apply it. It might not always have been the most flattering look when I was young but I didn't care- I thought I was beautiful!
Remember the white lipstick? No? Guess I'm older than I thought.
Anyway I will wear it til the day I die and hopefully some kind soul will do me proud when they lay me out.

barbara said...

I can't wear make-up because i haven't found a brand that i'm not allergic to. Covering a rash with make-up that causes the rash has never made much sense, nevermind the pain. However, i've learned how to use photoshop to whiten my teeth, apply mascara, and erase blemishes and wrinkles, after-the fact. I think it's the same method supermodels use.

Robin said...

98% of the time I just have chapstick. I only put on my girlface for date night and special occasions. I do use a moisturizer...got too. I feel like a gator.
I went all thru High School with out make up.
I didn't start using it until I worked. And when I worked for a vet I was wet from washing dogs that I stopped using makeup. What's the point when I smelled like a wet dog if I had a cute face??
I've never liked mascara. And do not use it.

Cindy said...

Depends on my mood ... sometimes I just don't give a **** (words have been changed to protect the innocent).

Ann said...

I've never been a huge makeup wearer (yeah, that's some mighty fine grammar; aren't ya glad I homeschool?!) Really, I've only ever done the eyeshadow and mascara, and these days it's more like eyeliner and mascara.. I do that simply because my eyelashes are wimpy and blond so you can't see them at ALL without it. And I think my eyes are my best feature so I like to do what I can! I've never worn foundation because it feels icky and my skin is reasonably decent... lipstick always ended up in one sticky line across my lips (I guess I lick then alot when something is on them). At my ripe old age of 48, I wear about the same as I ever did - altho I now will leave the house without it, and I never EVER did that when I was younger. I guess I'm old enough now to not give a crap some days...!!

My absolute dream? Eyelash extensions - yeah, like hair extensions. The salon I used to go to does them, and if I could afford it I would SO totally do it - so I could have the lovely look without the effort... ah, to have money....lol

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Deedee said...

Jane-I too am 50 something and it sounds like our daughters were separated at birth(mine recently inquired if I was on the path to crazy-old-ladyhood because I wore a hat while sitting on the beach -protecting the haircolor!) I rarely go out without full make-up. I would like to cut back because I'm sick of taking the time, but I think I am addicted. I just feel naked and exposed without it.

The Lady in Pearls said...

Max Factor stopped making my makeup. The same makeup I have worn for the last 24 years! EVERY DAY for the last 24 years! I have spent close to $7,264, give or take a few bucks, trying to find another foundation. I've considered suing ole Max for the anquish he's put me through, but I heard he's dead and his heirs are broke......what's a woman to do? So yea, I guess I'm on the expressway too!

Kat said...

Do I really need to answer this question? Surely you jest... The Diva

Kat said...

Do I really need to answer this? Surely you jest... The Diva

thesleepdeprivedmomma said...

Being the Fat girl with the Pretty face in High school and College, I'd say I was once a MAKE-UP QUEEN! As I got older and after the last parasite was born, I gave into the "who and I kidding" attitude and only wore make-up for truly critical occasions. Something, however, rumbled about around a month ago and I decided I owed it to MYSELF to put my best face forward. I started taking a little time before clinicals and classes to slap on some foundation, apply some shadow, liner, a dab of blush, dust it all with powder and finish it off with some mascara (waterproof of course) and lipstick. So . . . re-reformed make-up queen . . . or something like that.

thesleepdeprivedmomma said...

Being the Fat girl with the Pretty face in High school and College, I'd say I was once a MAKE-UP QUEEN! As I got older and after the last parasite was born, I gave into the "who and I kidding" attitude and only wore make-up for truly critical occasions. Something, however, rumbled about around a month ago and I decided I owed it to MYSELF to put my best face forward. I started taking a little time before clinicals and classes to slap on some foundation, apply some shadow, liner, a dab of blush, dust it all with powder and finish it off with some mascara (waterproof of course) and lipstick. So . . . re-reformed make-up queen . . . or something like that.

Jeanne Estridge said...

I use more these days than I once did -- mostly because I have more to hide. A few years back, the bridge of my nose turned red. I don't know why, but suddenly I was Rudolph. It took me several years, and the help of a makeup artist friend, to discover color corrector. And once you rub green goop on your nose, the rest of the stuff just seems to troop out of the makeup bag on its own.

Today, though, I'm home sick and I haven't put on a drop of makeup. Because if I'm gonna be sick, I'm entitled to look like crap.