Column

August 2005

Raw or Natural?

photos from Daily Mail (29 July 2005, page 23)- from left: Fergie, Britney Spears and Melanie Griffiths

Is make-up absolutely necessary?

Considering the millions of pounds that are spent on cosmetics each year, women must believe they are necessary. But the Daily Mail poll also revealed that 68% of British men prefer girls without make-up (29 July 2005, pgs 22-23). The results showed that men prefer the "fresh-faced" women to those caked up in cosmetics. The question is: are men aware that women go through endless efforts to create this "fresh, natural" look?

Take a look at the photos above. As a woman myself, I feel cruel to be exposing before and after photos of other women, but since they've been published already, I feel less guilty! See for yourself the difference make-up makes. Obviously, the left photos show the "raw" look, and the right shows the "natural" look with make-up.

Make-up is worn mainly for two reasons: one to protect skin from external hazards like pollution, wind or too much sun, and the other to enhance good features as well as to de-emphasize less good features. Make-up doesn't have to be so thick that you need a chisel to scrape off the foundation.

To maintain groomed natural beauty, gardens need trimming and wooden floors need polishing. Maintenance and grooming is the key to achieving the "fresh, natural" look. This applies to both men and women. Applying a simple moisturiser can make a huge difference to a man's look. No one wants to look at dry, flaky skin. And moisturiser can also prevent you from looking older than you really are.

Less is more. Less is also more than nothing.

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