Modest Dress and Headcoverings: Male Response?

[Enigma7457]

Just to put in my two (male) cents on the makeup issue.

I could care less if a woman wears makeup (I try to talk my wife out of it because a, she's pretty anyway, and b, it's expensive). But, you could also compare it to cutting your hair or wearing nice clothes. Why? Vanity? No, i think it's confidence. I know that when my wife feels attractive she acts more attractive (i think that's enough said...). So, i have no problem. Anything (to an extent) that makes a woman feel good. Just let it be known that us men (most of us) could care less about makeup, eyeliner, how big your lashes are, whether or not your foundation matches, what color your lipstick is, and blah blah blah

[BavarianWheels]

Just to put in my two (male) cents on the makeup issue.

I could care less if a woman wears makeup (I try to talk my wife out of it because a, she's pretty anyway, and b, it's expensive). But, you could also compare it to cutting your hair or wearing nice clothes. Why? Vanity? No, i think it's confidence. I know that when my wife feels attractive she acts more attractive (i think that's enough said...). So, i have no problem. Anything (to an extent) that makes a woman feel good. Just let it be known that us men (most of us) could care less about makeup, eyeliner, how big your lashes are, whether or not your foundation matches, what color your lipstick is, and blah blah blah

Interesting you would mention this today. I was just at lunch and I noticed a lady...just an average lady, not that she was excessively good looking, but she was standing in front of me looking over my shoulder to her friends behind me. Now you'll have to know...I'm a detail oriented kind of guy. I notice haircuts, changes in nail color, hairs out of place, spots on jeans, new perfume, shoes matching purse and nails, nice feet for open-toed shoes or, put on some sneakers, great skin...and looking at this lady I said to myself, "If she only knew her foundation and blush is overdone." She was so pink in the face and her neck was about 12 shades lighter from the jawline down...it looked almost comical yet she was still a relatively nice looking woman.

I, for one, am one of those men that does see these things. I care only in the sense of, "Oh...that is nice." or "Oh...that's not helping."
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[zoegirl]

You guys may say that.......

and yet millions of dollars are spent each year altering advertising pic's to make eyebrows more arched and defined, pupils bigger, lips redder, eyelashes fuller, lips more plump

And there IS precedent for this. All of these reflect natural body responses to us seeing what we like. When we are confident and sure of ourselves and and looking at something that interests us, our pupils dilate, our eyes widen, our lips flush, etc.

(believe me, if those techniques DIDN't work, they wouldn't waste that much money altering those pics. Time after time, men report that the models in the pics with larger pupils, darker lashes, fuller lips, etc.....are the ones that are interesting, confident, exciting, etc)

And, really, how wouyld yyou really know that your loved one ISN'T wearing make-up ...after all the *real* goal is to look like you really ARENT wearing makeup....so the really good applications are natural looking.

Just some thoughts

[Gman]

You guys may say that.......

and yet millions of dollars are spent each year altering advertising pic's to make eyebrows more arched and defined, pupils bigger, lips redder, eyelashes fuller, lips more plump

And there IS precedent for this. All of these reflect natural body responses to us seeing what we like. When we are confident and sure of ourselves and and looking at something that interests us, our pupils dilate, our eyes widen, our lips flush, etc.

For what it is worth, I happen to like women more without all that goofy paint on their face... I'm amazed that so many men are so worried and nervous about looks (especially when it comes to their women). Seems like a waste of time to me... Sorry..

[zoegirl]

You guys may say that.......

and yet millions of dollars are spent each year altering advertising pic's to make eyebrows more arched and defined, pupils bigger, lips redder, eyelashes fuller, lips more plump

And there IS precedent for this. All of these reflect natural body responses to us seeing what we like. When we are confident and sure of ourselves and and looking at something that interests us, our pupils dilate, our eyes widen, our lips flush, etc.

For what it is worth, I happen to like women more without all that goofy paint on their face... I'm amazed that so many men are so worried and nervous about looks (especially when it comes to their women). Seems like a waste of time to me... Sorry..

I absolutely agree...and I am happy (nay ecstatic!) to hear so many men say so....a little foundation....eyebrows and mascara is all for me....MAybe lip gloss....

and if is it noticeable, then it is too much

[charlottecowell]

"and the shape thereof"

I think there is a way to dress for women that still reflects our feminine shape without resorting to shapeless sacks and yet still remains classy and modest. At some point, dressing in shapeless sacks can reflect a shame in our bodies, a needless shame.

I would agree with you here. I read a quote somewhere, can't remember from who right now, which was: "Christianity is notoriously hard on female pulchritude" and I think there's a fair amount of truth in this. It is reasonable enough to have a healthy pride in your appearance and to want to look your best without being vain with it, and a lot of the time it's just a matter of taste and what's appropriate to the situation. What looks fine in a nightclub would be outrageous in the office...

I wouldn't bat an eyelid if I had to meet Jesus wearing a mini-skirt - I'm pretty sure he could see beyond what I'm wearing - but I wouldn't wear one in church or show much flesh at all beyond bare forearms, mainly so I wouldn't offend other people with stronger ideas than me about things like that.

I do agree that young girls walking round looking to all intents and purposes like prostitutes is a really bad idea, and frankly, a lot of the worst 'culprits' when it comes to overly-revealing clothes simply don't have the bodies to carry it off, they do themselves no favours. Too much make up never looks attractive - a naturally pretty girl will almost always look her best with either a little or no make up on, it's looking healthy that makes the difference.

Personally I will dress modestly on a day to day basis, but if I"ve got a fancy evening do or I go to a nightclub, I'll wear a beautiful dress, and get my hair done. I certainly don't expect men to be so awestruck and overcome with lust that they'll pounce on me the second I walk through the door, because we live in a society where it's acceptable to display a bit of flesh -but I wouldn't be so free in a Muslim country where it may be seen as an invitation, and I do think women have to be responsible and understand the way men see things, especially if alcohol comes into it. If you have your breasts offered up like watermelons on a plate you can expect to be treated like you're available for sex, but some women can handle that sort of attention pretty well....I don't like it, but there you go, different strokes for different folks.

It's also fair to say that women can be just as overcome with lust as men, though they're probably aroused in different ways. if I'm wearing a dress that's showing my legs in a major way and some guy is being as charming and witty as he possibly can be, trying his very best to turn me on and 'win' me, as it were, then who's being naughty - me, him, both of us, neither of us? It's all relative... I think people can get way too hung up about sex, it's a natural thing, and we can't do much to change the laws of attraction, we just need to keep them in perspective. It's making sex into a taboo, prohibited thing that often makes people desperate with lust, but equally, pornography and the like can desensitise or confuse folk, making something dirty or perverse out of a normal human function. Neither extreme is good.

[bizzt]

And, really, how wouyld yyou really know that your loved one ISN'T wearing make-up ...after all the *real* goal is to look like you really ARENT wearing makeup....so the really good applications are natural looking.

Just some thoughts

LOL then why wear it

[zoegirl]

Yes, one wouild think that, but simply because it looks naturale doesn't exclude the fact that it doesn't compliometn and flatter.

From a guys perspective, wouldn't you agree that a good men's haircut is one that is flattering and well-groomed and yet doesn't scream "I just went to the hairdresser?" (ie, no mohawks or extremes?) but that doesn't mean that you don't think about how to style your hair.

[jenna]

Yes, one wouild think that, but simply because it looks naturale doesn't exclude the fact that it doesn't compliometn and flatter.

From a guys perspective, wouldn't you agree that a good men's haircut is one that is flattering and well-groomed and yet doesn't scream "I just went to the hairdresser?" (ie, no mohawks or extremes?) but that doesn't mean that you don't think about how to style your hair.

Yes, a good haircut does make a man look good. But it doesn't change his appearance unless he had it colored or highlighted. Natural beauty (or handsomeness) can be obtained without makeup. Speaking from experience, as I have had my hair every color possible, from white-blond to black, and just about every hair-color shade (even one that said burgundy, but actually turned out purple ). After all that, I finally decided that the best color for me was what was originally given to me. Even though I still want my hair to be red, I am grateful to have hair at least. (Even after everything done to it.)

[zoegirl]

Yes, And I would agree that the best makeup is the most modest. Simple foundation, basic grooming, and simple lipstick. Nothing elaborate.

But just as good grooming and a good haircut simply emphasizes the best of a man's face, simple but good makeup simply emphasizes the best of a woman's face.

[jenna]

Yes, And I would agree that the best makeup is the most modest. Simple foundation, basic grooming, and simple lipstick. Nothing elaborate.

But just as good grooming and a good haircut simply emphasizes the best of a man's face, simple but good makeup simply emphasizes the best of a woman's face.

Actually, the most modest would be no makeup, but natural beauty. Makeup changes the appearance.

[bizzt]

Yes, one wouild think that, but simply because it looks naturale doesn't exclude the fact that it doesn't compliometn and flatter.

From a guys perspective, wouldn't you agree that a good men's haircut is one that is flattering and well-groomed and yet doesn't scream "I just went to the hairdresser?" (ie, no mohawks or extremes?) but that doesn't mean that you don't think about how to style your hair.

Zoe I am married to a lovely wife that does not wear make-up to often but I do have to say when she does WOW! It is very complimenting to her.

If I had hair I would totally agree A good hair cut always looks good.