Is Applying Makeup in Public a Do or a Don't?

September 5, 2007

This morning I boarded the bus, only to notice a fellow rider putting on her makeup. I'm not talking about a little touchup, either—it was the whole shebang. She plucked product after product from her bag: foundation, concealer, powder, eye shadow, lip liner, eyeliner, mascara and so on. By the time she pulled out the eyelash curler, half of the bus riders were trying not to stare. DearSugar and I agree that it's a tacky transit don't. What do you think?

91 Comments

2 years 25 weeks

It is absolutely 100% okay to put your makeup on while you're on public transportation. It's the SMART thing to do. It saves time, and you've got your freshest face on right before you get to your destination. I hate to disappoint you public transit riders, but the makeup isn't for YOU--it's for that business meeting you're about to go to, or that date you're about to meet. And I don't buy this "it isn't heigenic" b.s. Then why is it nearly unanimous that LIPS are okay in public? Hello? Of all of the makeup you could apply in public, the one that goes on your lips would be the most "dangerous" in the heigene department. And P.S.--you really aren't in danger of a serious infection from putting makeup on when you're on a bus--at least not anymore so than you would be riding a bus or a train generally. And why should it be considered vain or high maintenance? If anything, it should be perceived as the opposite: Because while everyone else was so vain that they had to get up early, and hide the fact that they put on makeup--when any idiot can tell when someone is wearing it--people who do it while in transit are making it known that it's all business. At the very least, they are no more vain than people who do it at home. Is it some shocking secret that women wear makeup? No. Is applying eyeshadow inherently more vulgar a gesture than the one it takes to put on lipstick? No. And neither are vulgar to begin with. Everyone needs to grow up. Tacky, you say? I'll tell you what's tacky: Making ridiculous judgements about strangers you will never see again.

Allytta 4 years 20 weeks

sounds like you guys were born in a elevetor or public transport bus and then raised by some woman with no boundaries or common sense.

hellomodupe 5 years 13 weeks

i don't think i'd do it...

hellomodupe 5 years 13 weeks

i don't think i'd do it...

ranianed 5 years 13 weeks

i dont get out the tweezers in public but its fine to apply a quick gloss or touch up of powder -- why not? im expected to look a certain way but not allowed to do it except in private -- what a pile of poop! also im ok with applying makeup on your way to work -- that extra 20 minutes of sleep means a lot to me!

phree2b 5 years 20 weeks

Yes, but maybe she was running late for work and at least she was on her time at not her employers. I do not know the whole situation...

Peyote 5 years 33 weeks

Such a vain thing to do!

Peyote 5 years 33 weeks

Such a vain thing to do!

MamaD 5 years 34 weeks

Touch up the lips? Fine but spackle the whole face? NO!

Martini Rossi 5 years 35 weeks

I live in NYC and I take the train to work every morning, I see many women applying (the whole 9) make up their make up. Its like a science. Every one is staring because they transform right before your eyes! I like to watch them because I dont wear make up so I like to see how people apply it on. It really doesnt bother me much, these women are usually in their own world, I think its a great time saver and it gives me something to look like during my commute to work

Martini Rossi 5 years 35 weeks

I live in NYC and I take the train to work every morning, I see many women applying (the whole 9) make up their make up. Its like a science. Every one is staring because they transform right before your eyes!I like to watch them because I dont wear make up so I like to see how people apply it on. It really doesnt bother me much, these women are usually in their own world, I think its a great time saver and it gives me something to look like during my commute to work

ash_aholic 5 years 36 weeks

Little touch up is ok..! But applying full makeup in public is a big DON'T!

peachiepink 5 years 37 weeks

a little blush, blotting, or lipgloss is dandy, but doing everything is just kind of odd.

sandinmytoes 5 years 37 weeks

as long as it's not physically affecting the people in her vicinity, i don't see what the big deal is. one thing i can't stand is when people spray perfume on a flight!! most of the time the scent makes me want to hurl.

Monica_r 5 years 37 weeks

well, normally i only think a little touch up is okay. i always touch up my blush and lips in public. but if im late for work, i do almost my whole makeup in the train. (except for the face-base, that i cant put on in public!) but of course in the far back where only 1-or-2 people can see it. i do think its a little uncomfortable for people to watch me put on my make-up. but its important to look presentable for work! think about, you dont know the people in the train, but you DO know the people at work. so i dont really care about what a stranger on a train thinks of me. ;)

Monica_r 5 years 37 weeks

bustacat97 5 years 37 weeks

Recently I saw this woman in front of me in rush-hour traffic do everything - starting with brushing the teeth (opening the door to spit) so gross, plucking brows, foundation face and eye makeup, lips and then curl the hair! I was in traffic for an hour and saw it all! When she was done she had a smoke as if it was really good sex :)

reese05 5 years 37 weeks

I saw a woman do this before and although I admire how she can skillfully apply make-up while the bus is moving...I cannot help but get embarassed for her. It's really so tacky!

xo_verity 5 years 37 weeks

I agree with demeter... its no big deal :P

MaggieEmmons 5 years 37 weeks

Sometimes in the airport if I have a delay between flights, I'll do my make-up in public. I get some odd looks, but when I haven't seen my family in months, I want to look nice.

libs1dlab 5 years 37 weeks

I have to admit I've done it once or twice. I think putting mascara on in a moving bus/train/car is dangerous. If I am running really late, I either go without make up or I tone it way down to lips and eyeliner.

beam4888 5 years 37 weeks

i did my whole routine once at work, hoping to not be noticed at my desk....after i was done i looked up everyone was staring with blank expressions...finally one of the girls scarcasticly said, "wow, you can put on mascara without a mirror, huh?"i learned my lesson

beam4888 5 years 37 weeks

bea arthur 5 years 37 weeks

Other than mascara while driving, I don't think I've ever seen anyone apply full face makeup in public. I have, however, been on the BART when someone thought that was the time and place to cut their fingernails. The train was so quiet we could hear the clippers, and hear little *pings* of the clipped nails flying around. It was seriously nauseating.

demeter 5 years 37 weeks

I don't think it's a big deal, as long as women aren't doing it while they're driving who cares?

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