I don't know what its like in the rest of the U.S. beyond Arizona maybe when it comes to women and their make-up and the way society percieves those who do or don't wear it, but here in Texas, a woman won't leave her house if its on fire until she has her make-up on.
People here see make-up as necessary a part of getting dressed as a clean pair of underwear. You just don't go anywhere without it. (or shoes for those of you who don't wear underwear
)
Not being a big make-up wearer, I was a bit disturbed to find out that other's perceptions of me include things like "Well, she must not care very much about herself." or "She just must be too poor to buy any." when I dare go to the grocery store or the Post Office without any make-up on! Neither of those conclusions coud be farther from the actual truth, they are just based on the observation that I went out of my house without any make-up on!
I do wear a little when I bother to wear any...eye-liner, eye-shadow, mascara, blush & lipstick but that is still "not enough".
According to local standards, I need to use the foundations & powders as well, not to mention an actual
hairstyle (I wear long straight locks with bangs) in order to be socially acceptable to those I should consider pleasing before thinking about pleasing myself.
Personally, I see the use of great gobs of make-up as a way to hide one's actual face, or a way to enchance great beauty. Since I am neither greatly ugly nor greatly beautiful (in my own eyes) I see the little I wear as enough to just highlight the features of my face if I feel like bothering with any at all.
I am well aware I can be a fairly anal person when it comes to the work I do and the process I use to do it but I find this anal approach to wearing make-up a bit over the edge.
What's it like with you, the women in your life/at your jobs, and in your own communities?