Sans Makeup, S'il Vous Plaît (NYT)

[tifa]

i hope no one believes all french women are chic and classy. it's a country like any other in that there all sorts of different people. i don't think french women wake up in the morning and think 'i will dress like this, do my hair like that, do my makeup like that because i am french' that's just silly.

 

[Aby]

QUOTE: "I'm sure that if I went to the streets of France I would find women wear Revlon or L'Oreal just like the ones in the United States. "


Marsmars, well actually L'oreal is French and yep I don't see the point of spending hundreds of euros in chic expensive french makeup brands so it's all about L'oreal and Sephora for me...Lol

 

[PrincessImp.]

I'm lazy, I don't really like to wear makeup everyday and this article just gave me the perfect excuse

 

[The_Ida]

ugh more american hating. honestly, why not just talk about how the french do their makeup and leave out how ALL AMERICAN WOMAN AND TEENS LOOK LIKE THEY WALK THE STREETS AND 'VULGAIRE' AND GAUCHE. get a grip. we're always hailing the french as the chicest of the chic and beauty godesses, but I found they looked disheveled and even unhygenic.
i get so so sick of this.

I think you just contradicted yourself
My respond to you would be: "Ugh, more European hating". If you get my meaning.

It is a fact that the US isn't flooded with the crappiest of crap French culture. Try to understand that the only Americans we see in Europe are overly made up and generally tacky. I'm sure that the US has a lot more to offer, but from what I see, I don't want any part of that. Including the American beauty ideals. The article itself is very USA vs France, so I don't get why it cannot be discussed.

 

[As You Like It]

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that in general French women (and most European women, in general) are less into makeup, on account of their being more habitually and casually active than most American women.

For example, walking and bicycling for transportation. In warm weather, you sweat your makeup off, and in cold weather your eyes water and your nose runs, so you would end up dabbing all of your makeup off with a handkerchief in the attempt to stem the flow.

I'm an American woman who commutes by bicycle and find makeup to be incompatible with my lifestyle. The sweat, the cold-weather issues, the time-consuming nature of making up after you get to the office. It is NOT worth it to me. Especially when makeup only goes as far as enhancing your existing looks, and my looks aren't particularly good to start with! I generally ride in normal clothes...even skirts or dresses. I figure the French ladies do it, as well as Italian, Dutch, Chinese, etc. A little planning and the right bike, and it's no big deal. But makeup is more fussy than just putting on your clothes.

I certainly have no patience with trying to lay the slap on in the ladies' toilets with their craptacular lighting and people barging in and out the whole time. The payoff is too small for all of the work, and then at the end of the day, I'd only be riding home and mucking it all up again.

 

[gius]

yes! please
i love "no makeup"

 

[gius]

i hope no one believes all french women are chic and classy. it's a country like any other in that there all sorts of different people. i don't think french women wake up in the morning and think 'i will dress like this, do my hair like that, do my makeup like that because i am french' that's just silly.

i agree
it's a stereotype
(and although it might be a nice one on France's side, it may really just be for marketing purposes)

 

[Blondes]

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that in general French women (and most European women, in general) are less into makeup, on account of their being more habitually and casually active than most American women.

For example, walking and bicycling for transportation. In warm weather, you sweat your makeup off, and in cold weather your eyes water and your nose runs, so you would end up dabbing all of your makeup off with a handkerchief in the attempt to stem the flow.

Hee.. There are busses, subways and cars in europe. It's not early 20-th century over here either, you know.
Also, using a bicycle for transportation has never prevented me from wearing makeup. When one isn't doing it as a sport, it good take it easy anyway, as I'd otherwise be sweaty and disgusting all over, not only in my face once I get where I'm going. B)

 

[VainJane]

The article itself is very USA vs France, so I don't get why it cannot be discussed.

Because at some point fashion is forgotten and politics/nationalist biases move into the conversation.

If we wish to have peaceful, open discussions about fashion I think such articles that directly compare one country to another (in a very prejudiced manner) should not be posted.

BTW, I've been to Europe--- not all American culture there is tacky.

 

[Hurdler4eva]

I think the article was nice, thank you for posting it, and I like the idea that it offers. When people are too obsessed with their looks and makeup, it is like putting on a mask everyday. Plus, at some point, makeup detracts, not enhances a person's attractiveness. While I will put on a little powder, curl my lashes, and put on lip balm, that's about all I do makeup-wise. But I spend much more money on facial cleansers, toners, and moisturizers because that will keep my skin healthy and smooth many years from now.

 

[Fabulyss]

Whether or not French women wear less obvious makeup than American women seems to be a bit irrrelevant, as they both care way too much about their looks anyway (French women just hide that fact better).

 

[Golden_butterfly]

^ lol

 

[Erin]

Whether or not French women wear less obvious makeup than American women seems to be a bit irrrelevant, as they both care way too much about their looks anyway (French women just hide that fact better).

That's the TRUTH.

What a fantastic article.

I'm American, and it just so happens that most of my friends don't even wear much makeup. I... sometimes do, sometimes don't. I love the smoldering look too much to pass up on eyeliner at night.

It's a shame that American woman are viewed this way in other parts of the world. Sure, I agree that a lot of it is over-the-top... I don't subscribe to that p*rn-store makeup look or tons of foundation and whatnot... but there are many women here who don't buy into that.

 

[ninins]

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that in general French women (and most European women, in general) are less into makeup, on account of their being more habitually and casually active than most American women.

For example, walking and bicycling for transportation. In warm weather, you sweat your makeup off, and in cold weather your eyes water and your nose runs, so you would end up dabbing all of your makeup off with a handkerchief in the attempt to stem the flow.

I'm an American woman who commutes by bicycle and find makeup to be incompatible with my lifestyle. The sweat, the cold-weather issues, the time-consuming nature of making up after you get to the office. It is NOT worth it to me. Especially when makeup only goes as far as enhancing your existing looks, and my looks aren't particularly good to start with! I generally ride in normal clothes...even skirts or dresses. I figure the French ladies do it, as well as Italian, Dutch, Chinese, etc. A little planning and the right bike, and it's no big deal. But makeup is more fussy than just putting on your clothes.

I certainly have no patience with trying to lay the slap on in the ladies' toilets with their craptacular lighting and people barging in and out the whole time. The payoff is too small for all of the work, and then at the end of the day, I'd only be riding home and mucking it all up again.

I think this is a great point. I commute by bicycle all the time. I just don't find biking with caked on make up is very functional at all. Make up harsh weather isn't very functional at all either. Make up (or a lot of it rather) is HIGH maintinence. When I do wear it I can't seem to keep it on lipstick/mascara, without having to constantly reapply. I know girls who's make up looks perfect all the time but they carry their entire make up bag in their purse. No thanks for me.

As for the article, I feel it's a little degrading, but as an American who lives in California, I coudn't agree more. Typical girls here wear way too much, it's pretty scary. I go to class at 7 in the morning and see girls made up like p*rn stars. I can appreciate make up as an art, but maybe only for kabuki theatre

 

[luvmelots1983]

Because at some point fashion is forgotten and politics/nationalist biases move into the conversation.

If we wish to have peaceful, open discussions about fashion I think such articles that directly compare one country to another (in a very prejudiced manner) should not be posted.

BTW, I've been to Europe--- not all American culture there is tacky.

I thought the article was great... the reason it was a blatant comparison between the two countries is because America is world-renowned for being obsessed with youth and beauty, epitomized by the Hollywood starlets and Botox prevalence, while France has always been thought to be the chic of the chic, where they appreciate age and wisdom, and growing old naturally vs. coloring hair,makeup and plastic surgery to maintain their youth. I dont think it was supposed to be derogatory to the Americans, but instead highlight the prevalent cultural beliefs. I'm from Singapore, but I've lived in the US for years, and I've travelled all over the world, a number of times. And to be honest, almost everywhere in the world, from Asia to Europe (I lived on both continents), Americans are considered to be rather over-the-top. Friendly as all hell, but a little loud and ostentatious. So, don't take this stuff personally, and I do agree with one of the other members who said that Europe is saturated in American things - movies, films, starlets, makeup, etc.- so naturally, comparisons and stereotypes ensue.

On another note, I LOVE this French philosophy of less is more. And I spend a ton of money maintaining my skin, etc, but it doesnt easily apply to all. For example, in my adolescent years, I had problematic skin, so even now, I have scars to cover. So, it's not always the fault of the person wearing the makeup - they may subscribe to the philosphy, but be unable to really fully practice it. Don't judge!!

 

[newprincesita]

I love the nonchalant attitude of a woman who doesn´t erase every trace of humanity our of her face. But if you have acne or big ugly undereye bags it´s really difficult to be that nonchalant. Whenever I skip altogether I look sick!
People ask me if I feel OK!!

How I envy people with naturally good skin!

 

[luvmelots1983]

How I envy people with naturally good skin![/quote]

Same here! I wish I could just wake up and not have to do anything! There was this girl in my uni class whose skin just looked like cream and butter. She had not one ounce of makeup on, but looked amazing - her skin was flawless, and had natural blush, etc. I'm still envious!!

 

[Couture_Tribe]

Well, not everyone wears makeup to HIDE their imperfection, there could be people wearing makeup just like people here wearing clothes as a way to have their own idenity.

 

[luvmelots1983]

Well, not everyone wears makeup to HIDE their imperfection, there could be people wearing makeup just like people here wearing clothes as a way to have their own idenity.

Oh, dont get me wrong! I definitely use makeup to express my moods and personality sometimes, and to make myself stand out... I just wish that on a day to day basis, I didnt have to wear foundation, etc. to get the perfect skin I want.

 

[Kimkhuu]

way to go.... ..... love the no makeup "look"...