Do men prefer it when women wear makeup?

33414 Views 495 Replies 100 Participants Last post by RandomJohn1980, 7 d ago

Twodecades

Discussion Starter · Nov 11, 2021

Let me start by saying that this is a lighthearted post; I'm happily married and not looking for some nefarious motives behind my husband's opinion. I just want to hear some male perspectives.

My husband claims that he thinks I look just as good without makeup as with. I don't. Trust me, I do NOT. If I wasn't trying to remain anonymous, I would post pics of before and after. Case in point, I had a coworker (I worked with kids) years ago tell me one day that she would watch my class for 5 minutes so that I could go put on some makeup, so I didn't scare the children; apparently, the color drains out of my face when I get tired and I look sickly. (She was a good friend, and we had one another's backs, do she wasn't being snarky.)

Perhaps my husband is unusual, perhaps he's stretching the truth in order to be kind, or perhaps all of our years together have blinded him to my looks. 🤣 I enjoy wearing makeup and feel better when I do (though sometimes I just don't feel like it). But I'm genuinely curious what men think about women wearing makeup, or if they think of it at all.

I've heard it said that women wear makeup for other women. Men, what say you? Do you prefer a woman who is made up? What about if you're dating? Does it matter if you've known the woman or been married for a long time? Is there a limit to what kinds of makeup looks attractive, or do you have no idea what I'm talking about it? 😂

And while we're on the topic of appearance, my husband tells me to do whatever I like best with my hair, but he prefers it longer. He claims most men feel this way, and this has been my experience. Would you say that's how most men think? I've seen more than one guy be enamored with damaged, frizzy, long hair over short, healthy hair. Is this a guy thing, or is it just the men I socialize with?

Thank you in advance for a peak inside the male mind.

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Numb26

· #2 · Nov 11, 2021

I am in the "No makeup" group

Reactions: 5

Mr.Married

· #3 · Nov 11, 2021

I’m a 100 percent testosterone, oil field, red blooded, hot for women man and I’m in the NO MAKEUP camp..... but long hair is great for pulling when she does that arch in her back thing ❤

Reactions: 5

ccpowerslave

· #4 · Nov 11, 2021

I like no makeup, but I also like if my wife puts on mascara or lipstick.

I can’t even remember the last time she wore lipstick it has been so long but mascara she will sometimes use, she has one out in the bathroom. It wouldn’t surprise me if the last time she wore lipstick was at our wedding.

She doesn’t use any other makeup.

The women I went out with before her also didn’t wear any that I could tell except for mascara and lipstick and not always.

Reactions: 3

Twodecades

Discussion Starter · #5 · Nov 11, 2021

Well, colored me surprised!! Thank you for your responses. Not what I was expecting. 🤣

Reactions: 2

maquiscat

· #6 · Nov 11, 2021

Twodecades said:
Let me start by saying that this is a lighthearted post; I'm happily married and not looking for some nefarious motives behind my husband's opinion. I just want to hear some male perspectives.

My husband claims that he thinks I look just as good without makeup as with. I don't. Trust me, I do NOT. If I wasn't trying to remain anonymous, I would post pics of before and after. Case in point, I had a coworker (I worked with kids) years ago tell me one day that she would watch my class for 5 minutes so that I could go put on some makeup, so I didn't scare the children; apparently, the color drains out of my face when I get tired and I look sickly. (She was a good friend, and we had one another's backs, do she wasn't being snarky.)

Perhaps my husband is unusual, perhaps he's stretching the truth in order to be kind, or perhaps all of our years together have blinded him to my looks. 🤣 I enjoy wearing makeup and feel better when I do (though sometimes I just don't feel like it). But I'm genuinely curious what men think about women wearing makeup, or if they think of it at all.

I've heard it said that women wear makeup for other women. Men, what say you? Do you prefer a woman who is made up? What about if you're dating? Does it matter if you've known the woman or been married for a long time? Is there a limit to what kinds of makeup looks attractive, or do you have no idea what I'm talking about it? 😂

And while we're on the topic of appearance, my husband tells me to do whatever I like best with my hair, but he prefers it longer. He claims most men feel this way, and this has been my experience. Would you say that's how most men think? I've seen more than one guy be enamored with damaged, frizzy, long hair over short, healthy hair. Is this a guy thing, or is it just the men I socialize with?

Thank you in advance for a peak inside the male mind.

As a male, while I can appreciate the difference between having make up on and not, make-up is not the end all be all of my beauty standards, especially if I am already enamored of the person themselves. with regards to the face, I find myself more physically attracted to certain features, although I'll be damned if I could put words forth to describe what it is. A certain set of eyes, or cheekbone structure, or a turn of the nose. I'm not sure. I tend more towards cute or kawaii than to beauty.

As to hair, I much prefer it long. I love playing with a woman's hair, especially while we're just doing Netflix and chill or any equivalent thereof.

Reactions: 2

bobert

· #7 · Nov 11, 2021

Aside from special occasions, I prefer little to no makeup. And by "little" I mean so little that I don't even know it's there. My wife either puts nothing on her face or puts on a light colored mascara (brown? idk) if she hasn't had her eyelashes tinted (redhead). To me, even black mascara looks ridiculous on someone who doesn't have dark hair.

For hair, I prefer it long. I'm not attracted to women with short hair at all. My wife's hair has always been nipple to buttcrack length, and I wouldn't want it any shorter (or any longer!).

Reactions: 3

ccpowerslave

· #8 · Nov 11, 2021

Twodecades said:
Well, colored me surprised!! Thank you for your responses. Not what I was expecting. 🤣

Note the woman needs to look good with no makeup. My mom looked like crap with no makeup with huge dark circles under her eyes (probably because of me). For her it was a big improvement.

Reactions: 5

Diana7

· #9 · Nov 11, 2021

My husband isn't bothered about make up and I very rarely wear any. My son is the same, not bothered about it.
My husband seems very happy with my short hair and when I have it cut always says how nice it looks.

Reactions: 1

DownButNotOut

· #10 · Nov 11, 2021

Mark me down for the no makeup, longer hair camp.

Reactions: 4

Al_Bundy

· #11 · Nov 11, 2021

I don't mind some but it shouldn't look like you're a burn victim trying to cover up scars

Reactions: 5

DudeInProgress

· #12 · Nov 11, 2021

I suspect it’s largely a matter of whether or not she needs it…

Reactions: 5

karole

· #13 · Nov 11, 2021

I feel naked without makeup. My husband is fine either way, but not me. I never leave the house without makeup on

Reactions: 5

Quad73

· #14 · Nov 11, 2021

I like light makeup on women on special occasions, but day to day I'm not a fan at all, actually I find it a turn off. Last time I saw my wife in makeup was at someone's wedding a decade or more ago, and that's absolutely fine by me.

As for hair, I definitely prefer long. But I challenged this preference lately, and found I do like some short hair cuts, like a pixie(?) cut I think it's called. It's cute. But when the sides start going vertical, or it gets into Jessica Fletcher / Liberace territory, I definitely get - deflated.

I think I recall a post here a while back where the H was in a very rocky marriage, and when his wife cut her hair it was the last straw, and he called it quits. Maybe it was a hypothetical, I don't recall. Either way, I think it's an indication of the importance to some or maybe most men.

Difference, femininity, it's basically what makes the -opposite- sex attractive.

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Reactions: 2

BigDaddyNY

· #15 · Nov 11, 2021

I prefer no or little makeup. My wife only wears a little eye liner I think, and might break out eye shadow for a special occasion. Nothing else. I keep trying to tell my daughter that she doesn't need makeup. She does the whole 9 yards, foundation, all that jazz. All very tasteful, but I don't see the point. I'll take a natural look any day, but I suppose I wouldn't mind if my wife was set on wearing, her choice in the end.

Reactions: 2

heartsbeating

· #16 · Nov 11, 2021

Twodecades said:
My husband claims that he thinks I look just as good without makeup as with.

Your post gave me a laugh. Still, you need to trust him on this. Even if you don't think so yourself, trust that he does.

I'm not a man, but I do know my husband's take. Like you @Twodecades I wear makeup regularly when venturing outside. Full makeup, too. Yet not to be misunderstood as being caked-on. Typically foundation, blush, neutral eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, pale lipstick. To me it feels like completing my outfit. Also only takes me about 5minutes to whack it on. I bought into the illusion from an early age and it's stuck. If going out to dinner or somewhere, I might have a bit of fun with either brighter lipstick, or different eye makeup depending on what mood I'm in.

My husband will compliment when I wear makeup, and he likes the way I present. However, I also know that he doesn't like false eyelashes (which I don't wear), hair extensions (which I don't have), or fake-tan (which I don't use). And yet, my husband has stated that he prefers seeing me without makeup. Typically I don't wear any makeup when just at home, and he compliments my skin and features. And so while I think I scrub up okay with a lick of paint, I accept and trust the way he sees me. Okay, except maybe when I'm feeling unwell / hormonal whatever and dossing around the house and he expresses how attractive I am. The love goggles work in mysterious ways

Oh and, he prefers me with longer hair.

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bobert

· #17 · Nov 11, 2021

DudeInProgress said:
I suspect it’s largely a matter of whether or not she needs it…

Wouldn't matter for me... If I'm not attracted to her without makeup, I won't be attracted to her with it either.

Reactions: 4

SpinyNorman

· #18 · Nov 11, 2021

Twodecades said:
Well, colored me surprised!! Thank you for your responses. Not what I was expecting. 🤣

When we say we like women with nothing on...

Reactions: 2

RandomDude

· #19 · Nov 11, 2021

Make up is like clothes, there's a time to dress up but also a time to just let loose.

In general at home I prefer no makeup, no oily sticky weird smelling product on my nose and lips. If we go out for a nice dinner, I prefer her to dress accordingly.

Reactions: 3

heartsbeating

· #20 · Nov 11, 2021

I remember a woman, a bit buzzed, entered the restroom at a bar while I was in there and she complimented my appearance (wearing my usual attire of makeup and flowing dress) and in turn shared that she'd grown up a 'tom-boy' in both her interests, which she shared with me, and how she presented herself; and that continued with her saying that she ought to make more of an 'effort' with makeup / her appearance and that her husband had never seen her wearing makeup but she wouldn't know where to start. This led to a brief conversation about my wearing of makeup, and then to me suggesting that she doesn't need it as she is beautiful as she is, and to just embrace who she is. And that led to her telling me that I'd be stunning with or without makeup... followed by us sharing a hug in the restroom

and wishing each other well. Wine, am I right?

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