So I’m currently watching a documentary about South Korean beauty standards and it got me thinking about everyone on the forums. Personally, I don’t wear a lot of makeup, but I’m a student at the moment and I don’t have much of a reason to wear it. Plus, even though my mum does beauty for the stars, I don’t actually know much about putting makeup on!
I don’t see myself getting major cosmetic surgery any time soon, but I don’t necessarily see anything wrong with it, either. I’m currently getting laser hair removal, though, and I’d like to get laser eye surgery when I have the money. That’s not exactly cosmetic, but I’d like it for cosmetic reasons.
But what about you? I’d love to know your thoughts on makeup and cosmetic surgery?
Here are some questions to get the discussion started:
- How often do you wear makeup?
- Are you comfortable going out without makeup?
- What do you think about the natural look?
- Would you ever get cosmetic surgery? If so, what kind?
- What is your beauty regime like?
I always found this super interesting. Mostly I don’t wear makeup when I go out because I’m too lazy! 
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Usually never, though I tried a little recently…and failed 
I never expected this, but doing makeup is fun!
I always do…so yes.
It’s nice, I guess.
No 
…has no idea
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So I have opinions on the beauty industry, sure, but I’m also a guy? This isn’t something that concerns me that much in the west considering the beauty industry only started targeting me recently, and even then not that strongly. Especially not compared to young girls.
So, I’ll answer the questions (For what that’s worth), and then give my hot take at the end.
- I don’t make a habit of wearing makeup, though I wouldn’t be adverse to eyeliner every now and again, I look good with it.
- Yes. I am comfortable going out in any state.
- The ‘natural’ look isn’t actually ‘’’‘natural’’’’. When guys say they like the natural look, they mean they like a thin layer of foundation, bit of blush, eyeliner and basic mascara. They don’t actually know what natural is a lot of the time. As for me? I do actually see my girlfriend when she’s just woken up, and I like her natural look. Makeup is lovely though, and she looks really good in it.
- Nope. I’d never get cosmetic surgery
- Shower. Shave. Spray on some deoderant? Finger comb my hair. Maybe put on some moisturiser if my face feels particularly dry.
So yeah, I don’t think cosmetic surgery should be outlawed or demonised particularly, I mostly think the mindset needs to change in regards to how people see themselves. You don’t need to change things about yourself to be pretty, what needs to happen is you need someone to appreciate the assets you have. This obviously won’t happen overnight, but that’s what I think needs to happen for the cosmetic surgery industry to enter into a new age. Where it’s no longer seen as necessary, it’s seen as voluntary. And even then, it should be limited. Limited by age and mental health, I would say. But that’s just me, I know people who severely regret cosmetic surgery-related decisions when their mental health is in a better place, but similarly I know people who admit it was just because they wanted it and they’re more than happy with it.
Just like everything in the world, it’s a complex issue
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Tell me about it! I actually spend loads of my indoor time messing about with makeup. It’s just having to get up early in the morning, get dressed and then do makeup. It’s such a drag! And it means I don’t get the extra 20 mins of sleep 
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My sister applies makeup regularly, I guess you could call it the “natural” look.
I’ve always wondered how long it actually takes to apply a full face of makeup…
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Are there any specific surgeries that you think should be more discouraged than others?
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tbh, not really. Like, cosmetic surgery should be just that. Cosmetic. It’s entirely up to the individual, and it shouldn’t be due to pressure from an outside source. So not really, if it isn’t actively dangerous it shouldn’t be any more discouraged than any other.
Of course that starts to get into the dicey territory of body modification which can get very dangerous, and that’s a whole other kettle of fish
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On the spectrum of things, I’m more on the body positivity side of the fence than the modification side. The less cosmetic anything the better imo.
Unless it’s like. Hygiene and sanitary stuff. But that’s personal opinion
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There have been a few cases of people in South Korea suing for emotional damage because their spouses had lots of cosmetic surgery and looked super different. Then when they had kids, the other spouse allegedly claimed that the kid was “ugly” and that their spouse was “deceiving them” with cosmetic surgery. I can’t remember if they won in court or not.
Don’t you think that’s ridiculous, though?! Suing people!!! Because they don’t naturally fit your beauty standards!!! That’s so discriminatory!!!
But at the same time, I don’t particularly think I’d like to be involved with someone who was so insecure about how they looked that they had enough surgeries to be unrecognisable in the end, if that makes any sense.
I could just be delirious and this could be nonsense.
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It really is ridiculous, to sue people simply because they don’t fit the ideal beauty standards. 
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It’s not nonsense, I feel the same.
Body positivity is always better than body modification imo, 10 times out of 10. But yeah, it’s ridiculous the amount of pressure some people are put under to get these procedures. These permanent, body altering procedures. If it’s done too young, or out of societal or peer pressure it’s done in a flawed system.
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Makeup is fine with me as long as its not too much. I don’t agree with cosmetic surgery though.
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I know! Even when these people get the surgery to fit the oppressive beauty standards, they’re still getting punished for it!
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What I don’t like it when women look like an entirely different person with different makeup, like a whole seperate individual, trick men, and expect men just to accept it. Like, no.
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‘Trick’ how? Like, I’m pretty sure those men are getting exactly what they sign up for.
I don’t think the girl can be at fault there xD
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Personally I can’t say I’m against cosmetic surgery. Like, it’s the person’s body and so I feel like they can alter it how they want to. But I don’t find it particularly attractive when someone has a beauty or cosmetic surgery obsession.
Want to get a nose job because you broke your nose a few years ago? Fine by me. Who knows. I might get a boob reduction someday – if the back pain outweighs the fact that I actually like my figure
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I don’t agree. That’s unfair. Imagine if a guy does that to you. I wouldn’t like being lied to.
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But the point is it should be choice free of pressure, societal, personal or otherwise. We’re fighting individuals when we should be fighting the broken industry pressuring people into this.
You know, the same problem we have in most things
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‘Lied to’? It’s not the same as catfishing if it’s the person. Like, makeup can only do so much. And if it’s surgery it’s not a lie, that is who you are now.
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Yeah I’m not sure if I buy into this whole “tricking men” thing. It’s 100% understandable to me if the dude turns around and says “I’m just not attracted to you without makeup on” and I think that’s his fair choice because she chose to wear makeup that made her unrecognisable.
But the idea of tricking someone just seems like we’re too obsessed with looks, to me. Like, if a guy is tricked into a relationship by makeup, he probably didn’t like her for anything other than her looks anyway. And then that’s sad on her part! It’s not her fault she doesn’t look like that naturally.
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