Eye make up and cycling

[rebeccaC]

I apologize if I offended anyone.

I can't see where anything you've written needs an apology. I think you got a good cross section of women writing about their makeup habits. One questionable post, out of 21, that could seem to be judgmental doesn't bother me a bit. I also think Becky and especially Oakleaf made excellent and reasoned posts in regards to it without needing to get into the politics of it.

I'm confident enough not to worry about what others think or say about my makeup or lack thereof habits. I would hope other women who don't or do wear makeup (especially during exercise as this thread is about) would feel just as confident in their decision as the other.

[indysteel]

Beyond the most obvious post, I think there is a current running through this thread, as it has in others and whether intentional or not, that there is something implicitly superior in not using makeup (or wearing heels, dressing up or coloring one's hair, to name a few other topics). It's not enough to simply say "I don't wear makeup." We end up getting into the politics of wearing makeup and what it apparently says about us if we do or don't. I've read enough of these threads over the years to know how they typically devolve. If I'm overreacting to this one, then I apologize, but it and others like it have really rubbed me the wrong way. I think as a group, we could stand to be more mindful of how we express the choices we make for ourselves so that they don't end up sounding judgmental of the choices others make.

That is all. I'm on vacation and am now checking out. For the record, I went hiking today sans makeup, but I wore some to dinner last night, along with a skirt and Keen sandals.

[Crankin]

Indy, you echo my thoughts exactly. I wear make up (though not on purpose for exercising), color my hair, dress up, have manicured nails, and I love fashion. Yet, I have no problem sweating, getting dirty, and "suffering." Most people think I am tough. At this point in my life, if people think I'm vain, I don't care. I have noticed the same current running through threads on these topics, too. I don't care if others don't wear make up, but really, I think it all comes down to how you were brought up and the personal choices you make. My mom and both of my grandmothers were gorgeous, classic beauties. I am fine with a little make up, but I look like hell when I wake up, without a little work. I"ve never been able to roll out of bed and look great, even at age 20.
There's a certain breed of woman in my town who suscribe to the no make-up, all natural way of living. They are as snobby about their point of view/lifestyle, as the the spoiled rich girls I grew up with in Newton.