Reason #1: It’s expensive. The average woman will spend about $13,000 on makeup in her lifetime or about $200 a year. If I instead invested that $200 a year, assuming a 6% compound interest rate, I’d have $34,866.68 in 40 years (unless the economy implodes, of course. 😉 )
Reason #2: Everyone else is doing it is a descriptive, not prescriptive, phrase. When I was about twelve my Mom noticed that I wasn’t shaving my legs and told me that it was something I needed to start doing. In her mind it was part of being a woman. “I’ll shave my legs when Dad starts shaving his,” I said. She disagreed. So for a time I listened to her although I never was able to get any real answers as to why I was expected to do these things. Makeup, to me, belongs in the same category of cultural weirdness as expecting women to shave their legs or men to shave their faces. How is it of any concern to other people what sort of grooming or personal care one does or does not participate in?
Reason #3: The Story of Cosmetics. 
Reason #4: Almost every brand of makeup I’ve ever tried has aggravated the heck out of my skin. After I stopped using anything other than soap and water on my face my acne and other skin issues cleared up almost completely.
Reason #5: I don’t like the way it feels. On the rare occasions that I do walk around with stuff on my face, I notice it all day. It itches, it tingles, and if I perspire it slumps into the creases between my nose and cheeks like half-melted snow in a ditch.
Reason #6: I like the way I look without it.
Ultimately I don’t care whether anyone else uses makeup, perfume, cologne or any of the other 1001 products that the media insists we need to purchase in order to have a happy, fulfilling life. What we need are more options than, “Of course you have to use these products, you’re a (wo)man!” or “It’s unprofessional not to use them,” or “You won’t be taken seriously without them!”
It’s a communist plot that tells us we shouldn’t be seen without make up. BUT, that being said, I do wear it occasionally, usually when I am going out or having guests in. My current FB profile pic I am make up free and I actually had to consider whether or not to post it for that reason! Really…it’s just what you get used to. It does feel better on my skin to be make up free. I have to admit, though, I can’t live without lipstick..although I only use Burt’s Bees lipstick..natural ingredients and it tingle on the lips! Your post was fun to read!
I’d never judge you for wearing it, Teresa. I think you look lovely in your current Facebook picture, though!
I’ve never tried Burt’s Bees lipstick, but I do use their chap stick in the winter. It’s good stuff.
It’s a communist plot that tells us we shouldn’t be seen without make up. BUT, that being said, I do wear it occasionally, usually when I am going out or having guests in. My current FB profile pic I am make up free and I actually had to consider whether or not to post it for that reason! Really…it’s just what you get used to. It does feel better on my skin to be make up free. I have to admit, though, I can’t live without lipstick..although I only use Burt’s Bees lipstick..natural ingredients and it tingle on the lips! Your post was fun to read!
I’d never judge you for wearing it, Teresa. I think you look lovely in your current Facebook picture, though!
I’ve never tried Burt’s Bees lipstick, but I do use their chap stick in the winter. It’s good stuff.
more reasons:
7. I like to be able to rub my eyes half way through the day when I take a lunch break.
8. I like to be able to splash water on my face when I feel like it, without having to then reapply the makeup.
9. I like to be as free as a man, to show my face to the world just as it is!
Very nice! I haven’t worn makeup in so long that I think I’d forgotten about #7 and 8.
more reasons:
7. I like to be able to rub my eyes half way through the day when I take a lunch break.
8. I like to be able to splash water on my face when I feel like it, without having to then reapply the makeup.
9. I like to be as free as a man, to show my face to the world just as it is!
Very nice! I haven’t worn makeup in so long that I think I’d forgotten about #7 and 8.
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I love this article! All 6 reasons are great and exactly how I feel!
Thanks, Laura. I appreciate that.
I don’t wear it because I have no one to impress and it wouldn’t help me anyway. I’m not cute-makeup won’t make me that way.