Her eyes stood out as she batted her eyelids, a dark shade defining her cheekbones and her glossy lips playing out an apparent smile. She looked stunning. Heads turned as she walked past men. What looks like a near perfect look can be the result of an hour’s effort in front of the mirror. But is all the effort a waste of time? Do men, as they have always claimed, really prefer women without makeup -- women who look ‘natural’.
The ‘natural’ look is a matter of perspective with most men in agreement that they are not attracted to women who overdo their make-up. Chennai-based marine executive Johnson says, “Make-up that accentuates a woman’s features is fine but when they overdo it to attain a different skin tone or something that is so deceptive it’s off putting. It’s the case with most brides. You won’t even be able to recognise them with the layers of make-up on them.”
The recent #nomakeupselfie movement against cancer has gathered support from all over the world with celebrities joining in by posting pictures of themselves without makeup on social networking sites. The movement has already raised a lot of funds.
“It’s true that men like women who clean up well. It’s not something anyone will accept outrightly. I could walk out with a ‘natural’ look and only half the people, who would otherwise normally notice me, will turn their heads while I pass. By ‘natural’ I don’t just mean lipstick or blush — not straightening my hair, threading my eyebrows or waxing my legs. The fact that men like women with makeup is reflected by our movies. How many men will like our actresses without make up?” asks Nikita, a stylist from Mumbai.
Popular actor and model, Ganesh Venkatraman agrees, “Applying makeup is an art. I like women with the natural look. It’s ok for women to apply enough to accentuate their features. Women do like to doll up for occasions but if they cake up it’s a turn off.”
Sudarshana, a marketing professional from Delhi is critical of men’s take on women and make-up. “Most men know little or nothing about make-up and can hardly tell the difference unless it’s in their face. Once on seeing me apply minimal make-up, my husband criticised me but he complemented me on my looks when I did the same away from his eyes.”
It’s safe to say that men prefer women who have applied make-up tastefully. They just don’t want the make-up to be over the top or an obvious noticeable difference.
