Beauty Standards Not Be Rigid As We Think?

[+ quoththeraven]

It's neither fresh news (the article is from April of 2014) nor a large study (44 male and female students, presumably in equal numbers), but results disclose that when shown photos of a woman wearing a spectrum of makeup from the amount of makeup she'd normally apply to no makeup at all (see below), men and women preferred about 40% less makeup than the women applied.

http://timedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/figure-2-copy.png?w=560&h=268

As a group, women favored slightly more makeup than men did. Overall, participants' assumptions regarding the amount of makeup men prefer significantly overestimated how much men appreciate makeup on women. The researchers concluded that women may be putting on makeup to meet a standard of beauty that may not exist.

 

http://time.com/79584/science-women-less-makeup/

[Rudynate]

I have never understood why some women go around in the middle of the day looking like they are wearing stage makeup.

[+ FreshFluff]

A number of studies have shown that women overestimate the effect of makeup on their appearance. Also, too much makeup signals to men (on a subconscious level) that they're not seeing the "real deal," so it's not surprising that they find women wearing less makeup to be more attractive. In fact, many women agree with men on this point, which is why the so-called "no makeup look" never goes out of style.

 

But, it's unclear to me why this finding implies that beauty standards are "not as rigid as we think." It means, IMO, that the concept of "beauty standards" has become a straw man of sorts.

[+ Truereview]

In college, our sociology professor had us (guys) wear make up for a week and report back our findings to the female part of the class. We opened our presentation by saying: "we've learned a new perspective, starting with the fact that we are eternally grateful to Professor Chen for not asking us to wear heels for a week!"

[+ quoththeraven]

Some of us take the "no makeup" style to its logical end and wear no makeup. It's difficult for me to apply foundation (which I could use to even out my skin tone) well, lipstick transfers from my lips to my teeth, and I have to overdo eye makeup for it to be seen because of my monolids. That leaves blush that isn't worth applying without lipstick to balance it off, making makeup not worth it outside of dress up events like weddings and galas.

 

I also do not wear heels. I used to be able to cope with fairly high wedge heels and 2-inch high chunky heels as long as the toe box was wide, but that's no longer the case. Now they hurt too much. I've never been able (or wanted to) wear stilettos or other high heels. If that's a make-or-break deal for any man, he's not right for me. I don't know of any studies, but I suspect that women wear high heels for their own reasons or because they think men like or care about them more than they do.

[+ quoththeraven]

But, it's unclear to me why this finding implies that beauty standards are "not as rigid as we think." It means, IMO, that the concept of "beauty standards" has become a straw man of sorts.

 

How so? Are you saying we don't have beauty standards or that differences between actual and perceived beauty standards are meaningless?

[+ Gar1eth]

http://timedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/figure-2-copy.png?w=560&h=268

[/quOTE]

While it's not by much-and maybe I'd feel differently when not being put on the spot-but I actually like the third picture best except maybe for the eyeliner. Also my tastes would probably depend on what the woman looks like, what she is wearing, the situation, and the lighting.

 

And in a similar vein, I'm not particularly a fan of jewelry either. In my view fingers should not be affixed with multiple earrings,wrists should be bracelet bare, multiple piercings should not occur (anywhere), and big clunky necklaces should be left at home.

 

I don't like makeup (or jewelry) on men either except for possibly a spot of concealer if a zit shows up (I've always been surprised by how many escorts I've been with for overnights and weekends have some with them.) or if they are in a play/member of a circus/at a costume party.

 

Gman

[+ FreshFluff]

How so? Are you saying we don't have beauty standards or that differences between actual and perceived beauty standards are meaningless?

 

I'm saying that beauty standards have nothing to do with piling on makeup or painting one's nails.

 

As for me, I'm either makeup free or mascara-only unless I'm going somewhere. I never wear foundation or lipstick. Even for nights out, lip gloss, mascara, blush, and maybe some eyeliner are enough.

 

And in a similar vein, I'm not particularly a fan of jewelry either. In my view fingers should not be affixed with multiple earrings,wrists should be bracelet bare, multiple piercings should not occur (anywhere), and big clunky necklaces should be left at home.

 

I don't like makeup (or jewelry) on men either except for possibly a spot of concealer if a zit shows up

 

Hear, hear..especially the part about not wearing multiple earrings on fingers. (I know, that was a typo!)

[+ Gar1eth]

While it's not by much-and maybe I'd feel differently when not being put on the spot-but I actually like the third picture best except maybe for the eyeliner. Also my tastes would probably depend on what the woman looks like, what she is wearing, the situation, and the lighting.

 

And in a similar vein, I'm not particularly a fan of jewelry either. In my view fingers should not be affixed with multiple earrings,wrists should be bracelet bare, multiple piercings should not occur (anywhere), and big clunky necklaces should be left at home.

 

I don't like makeup (or jewelry) on men either except for possibly a spot of concealer if a zit shows up (I've always been surprised by how many escorts I've been with for overnights and weekends have some with them.) or if they are in a play/member of a circus/at a costume party.

 

Gman

 

 

PS- taking this more personally I would modify my feelings on makeup for men if they had something that could really conceal the bags that are present not just beneath but around my entire eye socket . My eyes have simultaneously developed bags as well as seeming to have sunken in.

 

Gman

[Epigonos]

I've never much cared for the fading into fog look. I think a woman does look better with some makeup especially lipstick.

[BaronArtz]

I think it is mainly cultural, possibly ethnic. I grew up in Europe. Now I have lived in NYC for 2o+ years. I am still perplexed at what American women do in terms of make up. It is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too much! I don't know what mothers teach their daughters in this country but is all wrong. You either use lipstick and have just a hint of make up on your eyes (just mascara maybe). Or you use make up on your eyes and have the faintest of lip gloss on. BUT NOT BOTH AT THE SAME TIME - it makes women look like wax Barbie dolls. Or like trannies.

 

Girls, remember what Coco Chanel said about jewelry. Before you go out, take at least one piece of jewelry OFF. The same applies to make up.

[Brian Kevin]

I like the women who look fake ! It's a style within its self. They love the attention. Like it or not.

Some of us have things that we can't help that draw attention in. Eye color, Height, skin ton, etc...

Some people are just passed by every day and nobody looks at them........

 

SOOOOO in our society now "different" stands out and everyone stares so, in return we get people wearing stage make up during the day like mister mister said up there ^

middle of the day looking like they are wearing stage makeup.

[+ FreshFluff]

I've never much cared for the fading into fog look. I think a woman does look better with some makeup especially lipstick.

 

A good lip gloss should intensify your normal lip color without calling attention to itself. Red lipstick and the like aren't flattering on most women.

 

I think it is mainly cultural, possibly ethnic. I grew up in Europe. Now I have lived in NYC for 2o+ years. I am still perplexed at what American women do in terms of make up. It is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too much!

 

I agree. Strong makeup looks good in dark clubs, but not outside.

[Lookin]

Another one here who thinks less is more when it comes to makeup. I never thought Priscilla Presley was all that attractive while Elvis was slathering her up.

 

http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/7b/49/0e/7b490ee2b7188b0e960d29f3afa7dc73.jpg

 

When he passed, I think she got real pretty, real quick. http://www.boytoy.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/whistle.png

 

[Guest]

I've seen women wear makeup to the operating room (as the patient being operated on)...

[Rudynate]

I've seen women wear makeup to the operating room (as the patient being operated on)...

 

 

I thought they were supposed to take it off so that the anesthesiologist can observe their color during the procedure.

[AdamSmith]

And from the Hall of Fame...

 

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3310/822/1600/harris.jpg

 

...Katherine Harris, Florida's secretary of state during the 2000 recount...

 

...and her cosmetologist!

 

http://diy.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/diy/fullset/2011/2/24/27/RX-DK-DIY136022_spread-plaster_s4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.960.jpeg

 

[Lookin]

And Lily Tomlin as Madame Lupe, "The World's Oldest Beauty Expert":

 

 

Lines, lines, so reprehensible,

Go and visit Victoria Principal!