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When will modern men wear as much make up as modern women do?
In times of history and other cultures past... facial cosmetics have been by worn by all ages and genders for all reasons.
So why did it become a modern, "western culture" trait for adult women to wear lots of makeup, because it's associated with beauty? By contrast, why did it become a taboo for males and young girls to wear makeup?
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2277/2300703029_399a4369f6.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3320/3548172007_af43a7c79e.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/524236998_a5a1ab8d9f.jpg
And THIS one really illustrates the question!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/loserprince/659610693/
So why did it become a modern, "western culture" trait for adult women to wear lots of makeup, because it's associated with beauty? By contrast, why did it become a taboo for males and young girls to wear makeup?
And THIS one really illustrates the question!
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The whole thing goes back to hunter/gatherer instincts. Men are the "desirable" providers that are low maintenance and ready to wrestle a cougar in the brush. (Ha!)
Women, on the other hand, are not very desirable, and must be "made up" with cosmetics in order to attract a male to take her off her parents' hands. Girls mustn't do this because they're not ready to entertain suitors or offers of marriage.
I know it sounds silly today, but that type of masculine image of ruggedness persists. And likewise women still think that they must maximize their beauty with makeup at all times to make a good impression (nowadays for bosses, friends, and strangers, as well as suitors).
So when will men wear makeup? Only if there comes a day when a cosmetic is invented to aid in hunting, fishing, and business. And since that won't happen, I don't predict makeup for the mainstream non-actor types.
Women, on the other hand, are not very desirable, and must be "made up" with cosmetics in order to attract a male to take her off her parents' hands. Girls mustn't do this because they're not ready to entertain suitors or offers of marriage.
I know it sounds silly today, but that type of masculine image of ruggedness persists. And likewise women still think that they must maximize their beauty with makeup at all times to make a good impression (nowadays for bosses, friends, and strangers, as well as suitors).
So when will men wear makeup? Only if there comes a day when a cosmetic is invented to aid in hunting, fishing, and business. And since that won't happen, I don't predict makeup for the mainstream non-actor types.
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well put. ha ha ha!
There are already cosmetics to aid in hunting, especially archery hunting. They are sorts of camouflage. There are also cosmetics in sports, especially a sort of under the eye blackener to reduce glare.
http://www.armynavyshop.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/8200.jpg
Tip albanian for this comment
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Those are more face paint than cosmetics - the moment a man starts using a mascara wand or blots his lips on a tissue, then we've entered the cosmetics arena. ;)
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It's a double taboo. First, men are not expected nearly as much to conform to beauty standards. It's a million times more acceptable in Western society for a man to walk out the door spending zero time on his appearance than it is for a woman to do the same.
Second of all, there's a strong homophobic element in society still, and men wearing makeup are associated with homosexuality, even though in many cases the two have nothing to do with each other.
Second of all, there's a strong homophobic element in society still, and men wearing makeup are associated with homosexuality, even though in many cases the two have nothing to do with each other.
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