Clothes maketh the man, Make-up maketh the woman

I have recently read an article in a popular women's magazine by best –selling author Tony Parsons in which he explains why men hate us wearing make-up. Firstly, he sets out the theory that make-up creates a barrier between a man and the woman he loves. When a woman has just got ready to go out she doesn't want a man messing it up with physical expressions of love. Surely after seventeen years of marriage Mr Parsons can settle for planting a peck on his wife's cheek and wait until the evening is over for some more intense passion! Surely he would be more proud to go out with a glamorous wife who looks after herself properly rather than with a woman who looks as if she's been married for seventeen years and has let herself go?

Tony Parsons does concede that women do look beautiful in make-up. He admits it makes us sexier, more glamorous and groomed. He states that make-up exists to make lips more luscious, eyes more striking and skin more youthful but he argues that make-up "robs a face of individuality, character and personality."  He suggests that a man always falls in love with the face behind the mask not with the stuff we put on it.

A while after my sister had been going out with her boyfriend, he decided that he preferred my glamorous little sister bare-faced and asked her to stop wearing it. She asked my advice and I had no qualms in pointing out that it was her he had chosen from behind the bar she happened to be working in at the time and none of the bare-faced barmaids she worked with! When a man falls in love with a make-up wearer and then decides he likes her better without, this, in my opinion, says more about his insecurities than how she looks with or without make-up. He will have plenty of time to see his naked faced lady in personal times on their own and should be proud that she looks great when they go out, even if she does get "looks" from other men.

Far from robbing a face of individuality, character and personality, make-up can enhance it's individuality by showing off a person's best features. Character and personality again can be heightened by make-up – imagine a bubbly, confident woman in red lipstick or a shy, pretty lady in a light, soft pink.

Tony Parsons says he understands that women wear make-up for themselves and not for the man in their life and I'm glad he at least realises that! But he then goes on to say that it doesn't improve us but "merely satisfies an artificially created insecurity". He refers to the genius of the cosmetics industry telling us that we don't look young and pretty enough but I'm sure that most women are pretty good at doing this to themselves. And if make-up makes me feel more confident, younger, prettier and more secure in my looks then so be it.

Mr Parsons does not mention appropriateness. What man would be comfortable going to an important business meeting without his best suit, crisply ironed shirt, smart tie and polished shoes? In this situation he would need such attire, it is appropriate. And in many situations it is appropriate and professional to wear make-up. Make-up is not just to enhance beauty for personal pleasure but is arguably every bit as important a part of a woman's grooming as shaving is for a man.

In a last ditch attempt to persuade us we're better without our make-up Tony Parsons says, "Oh, and it makes you look older too… it does tend to add a hint of Barbara Cartland!" If this warrants a response then I would say that in some situations make-up can be used to make someone look older and more authoritative. A twenty-two year old, newly qualified teacher will be much better armed walking into the classroom on her first day with a face full of well applied make-up rather than turning up looking like a twelve year old. Her make-up will help her deal with both challenging pupils and pushy, older parents!

As far as make-up for personal use is concerned, there are always bad examples that can be pointed to. But as far as the Barbara Cartland example, unless you're 98 years old as she was when she died in 2000 you're not going to remind anyone of her in the slightest. Make-up, if applied properly, can make you look prettier, more glamorous, younger, more professional and can hide little imperfections making you more confident to face the world!

If you would like to wear more make-up, but are unsure of which shades to use of how best to apply it, why not get some professional advice and book a make-up lesson with an image consultant.