The saying goes “Kiss and make up - but too much make-up has ruined many a kiss” and from the look of things, it appears that many women have ruined a lot of kisses.
A while back, researchers at Bangor University and Aberdeen University told women to put on make-up like they were going on a night out. The women were photographed before and after they put on any make-up. The researchers then altered the photographs of the women wearing various amounts of make-up.
All of the participants assumed men would like the models with more make-up on than the women would, but that turned out to be untrue. According to the research, men and women both preferred the images of the models wearing 40 per cent less make-up than they initially put on.
The researchers concluded that women are putting on make-up for a perceived standard of beauty that may not actually exist.
Interestingly, in another Cosmo poll, men were asked if they preferred women with or without make-up, and a solid 68 per cent said they preferred the latter.
But when showed various photos of the same character sporting different levels of make-up, almost 73 per cent picked the polished, made-up look. Clearly there is a disconnect.
It seems that there is a huge difference between what men and women perceive as natural. While to most women, ‘natural’ means just a dab of lip gloss, men associate ‘natural’ with flawless skin, sparkling eyes and kissable lips.
Locally, the media frenzy that has been kicked up by Vera Sidika’s alleged Sh50 million ‘untinting’ one of the debates that have been raised is just how much make-up is enough.
Many men claim that they love it when women go natural and without make-up, but some would not mind a woman who makes a little extra effort to accentuate her features.
So do men really prefer women to wear make-up or remain natural?
Robert Burale, actor and fashion commentator, says first impressions do matter and in Nairobi’s socio-economic environment where women come in all shapes and sizes, it is important to stand out.
“Every man cares about first impressions and those that say they don’t are lying,” he says. First appearances leave a lasting impression on the mind and this is just the way the human brain works.”
“However, some women overdo their make-up and instead of having a positive first impression, they stand out for being the girl whose subconscious desire is to be a clown.”
But what really is the real reason behind “putting your face on?” For beauty? For confidence? To help deal with the fact that we need to make an 8am meeting after a Wednesday evening spent swimming in Chardonnay?
According to skin experts, women tend to have darker eyes and redder lips than men do, and wear make-up partly to exaggerate those sex differences. There’s also a corrective aspect: Blush makes them look healthier; foundation makes their faces appear more symmetrical.
The problem is, people are terrible at imagining what other people find attractive. Women think men prefer heavy make-up than men actually do.
On the other hand, boys think they don’t like a girl to wear make-up. What they really mean is they prefer a girl who wears make-up discreetly and naturally.
This means using make-up to compliment your features instead of using it to create non-existing features.
“Most women do not even know what shades of make-up are good for their skin color because they learn how to use it from observing their older siblings or mothers. However, just because one shade of foundation looks good on a light-skinned women, does not mean it will look as good on a dark-skinned ones,” explains Suzy Wokabi of Suzy Beauty Cosmetics.
“Natural-style make-up makes you look healthy and fresh, and that’s the look guys seem to go for so it is important first to get your skin type before you go out to purchase make-up.”
Controlling appearance
But is make-up as important as the debate makes it sound? In any case, although cosmetics give you an undeniable advantage when it comes to controlling your appearance, they come with the burden of deciding when and where their use is appropriate.
“Before dating a woman, I would advise most men to consider taking them swimming. If the woman looks different after swimming then you know that you got yourself a raw deal,” Eddie Mbugua an actor and entrepreneur says.
Ruth Kinoro, a sociologist expert at International psychology, says women don’t really need the approval of men because if they did, their hair would probably be dark and they would never wear make-up. Nonetheless, here is a recap of what they seem to hate:-
Too much make-up
Having too much of everything that your face looks like you were dipped in the make-up jar is a turn off for most men. It is worse when the make-up is only applied on the outline of the face and does not match the neck making you look like you are wearing a mask.
Red lipstick
Not everyone can rock a red lipstick and some women’s skin tone clashes with the lipstick, giving the appearance that they were having raw goat blood for brunch.
Hugging a guy with make-up on and leaving it on his jacket
Aside from getting him in trouble with his wife, hugging a man and leaving your lipstick or foundation on his cream blazer will not go down well with the dry cleaners.
Sleeping over and leaving make-up all over his pillows
Leaving make-up traces on the white sheets that he specifically takes out when a female species is spending the night is probably your first mistake. It could cost you a second date let alone an invite. Men also dislike it when women mark their territories, leaving behind fake eyelashes. By the way they could easily be confused for crawling spiders under the pillows.
Ruth further explains that different occasions call for a natural look, while others require elegance and glamour. We can make it perfect, for instance:-
First Date
The first date is key to setting a good first impression. If you love your eyes, make them pop with a color that suits every skin tone. Similarly, you can skip the lipstick and highlight the cheekbones.
Sports event
Apart from the sunscreen and a moisturizer, why else would one wear make-up? After all, you will sweat it off not unless you want to look like a lost character from a horror movie with all the mascara melting on the lower cheeks.
Official events
It is important that you get your correct shade of foundation, in order to prevent that orange or ghostly pale look.
Funeral ceremonies
Be ‘respectful’. If possible, it is recommended that you either wear very little, or no eye make-up. It is a day to bid the dead farewell, too much make-up only attracts more attention to you!