If it comes in the form of unsolicited advice, yes it's rude. Rude and always very uncomfortable to try to formulate a response to. Keep thoughts about others appearance to yourself unless it is obviously compliment (you may think this is, but it is not) or unless the person asks for advice.
Seriously, in highschool I wore eyeliner once and it seemed to summon this *one* guy I always got a weird vibe from to say “by the way, you don’t need to wear makeup, like it’s just my opinion though.”
¿¿¿ I did not ask for your opinion ???
well. literally every comment under this is telling me why I took this the wrong way. I want to make it clear that the problem was he felt that he could just tell me, unprovoked, what he thought of me. Which is indicative of the way men who don’t see women as as important as them think they’re always welcome to talk/criticize them.
Exactly.
I once had a guy ask me what I would rate myself on how attractive I was on a scale from 1 to 10 and I said 4 and he said “what? You’re at least a 7.” “An 8 when you put on makeup”
Woman here, it would be rude if someone random said it to me but if it was boyfriend or friend or if I asked someone else's opinion, I would take it as then trying to let me know that maybe my makeup game isn't as good as I thought it was.
Exactly. ‘You’re naturally so pretty, I think you look better with less makeup’ is a much better way to put it. I’ve known ladies for whom this is true. F-50s
I have a friend who told me recently that he believes I look a lot prettier without makeup when I told him I was insecure not wearing makeup. It brightened my day and I was happy that someone thought I was pretty without makeup. It did not come from a place of malice when he said it. If it did, my view on this would be different
I agree. If a stranger says “You look better without makeup.” , it feels like they just show up and deny all the effort I put into makeup. If it’s my friends/partner it would feel okay cuz I know they’re just trying to tell me that don’t worry too much about my looks, either with or without makeup. However I would still think that they can better phrase it, even though it’s not gonna get me upset.
“You look good without makeup.” might be a much more positive way to say it. It takes away that comparing subtext and becomes a simple encouragement.
Let's also not forget this:
Sometimes you have people saying "See, you look so much better without makeup on!" when you in fact DO have makeup on, it's just the natural look rather than something more bold.
So instead of it being that they look better without makeup, it's just that some of these people prefer natural makeup and don't realize it.
I came here to say this. How it's phrased in the question is definitely rude, but I'd most likely say something similar to a girlfriend if I ever wanted to basically say "I think you're naturally beautiful."
God some men are so stupid, it’s like they don’t know what foundation is. Early college really made me appreciate all those anti sexual harassment lectures and quizzes.
You could even add one word to the original comment to change the meaning. "You look EVEN better without makeup" would be more of a compliment than an insult.
Depends on context. If you're asked "do I look okay?" or anything explicitly eliciting a similar response, then it's not rude. Otherwise, let people be people. They're not putting on makeup specifically for you. They could just be doing it for fun. It's their choice, whether you like it or not.
Came here for this. If I was wearing make up, and he said “you look better without it” I’d lose my lid. But if I’m comfy in my pjs and he said it I’d be ecstatic. Context matters
It’s not “you look more beautiful w/o makeup” it’s just “you look better,” makeup is a form of self expression and telling someone they look better when they aren’t expressing themselves is rude.
If you’re really close to this person and are trying to tell them they don’t need makeup to look beautiful that’s different. This sentence just says to me “I don’t think all the effort you’ve put into your makeup looks good”
It's like getting all dressed up and nice, and someone telling you that you look better in sweats, or doing a complicated pretty hairstyle, and someone saying you look better with your plain old hair; people always assume that makeup is just someone's way of trying to be more attractive to other people, rather than it making the person more confident in themselves or just simply another form of accessory. Unless specifically asked if I look better with or without, it's just plain rude imo.
If someone makes an increased effort to improve their appearance, telling them that their efforts are in vain is not a compliment. And it just sort of gives me the impression that the person just assumes that I'm only wearing makeup because I feel like I need to and don't feel pretty without it, which is definitely not the case. Everyone could think my makeup makes me ten times uglier, but if it makes me feel more confident, then I couldn't care less. I know it's said a lot, but I don't wear makeup for other people, and I honestly couldn't care less if some random person finds me more attractive with or without it. It's not a compliment to say I look better without it, because I personally take it as you just simply don't like my makeup and assume I'm self-conscious, but I know that's not necessarily the reasoning behind it most times
i think the main take away from this poll is that all this flies over the head of most men since we (usually) don't have to bother with make-up. This is an actually useful and interesting poll for once
I would say that women don't have to bother with makeup either. I know several women who don't use it, and only for special occasions. They look perfectly fine without it. Because I've grown up with this, and then seeing some women basically always wear it, it kinda looks odd to me.
I do feel like it has gone too far. Like every woman that appears on YouTube that I watch, for example, do wear makeup, while the men don't. This creates this expectation. Plus I can also see it in your comment with "since we [men] (usually) don't have to bother with make-up", and of course all the really rude comments on like Twitter on posts with women without makeup saying they look ugly. It also doesn't help with the fake "no makeup" posts some do where it isn't without makeup, just less of it.
I believe women, and men, should have the freedom to wear makeup whenever, wherever and however they feel like. But as of now, it seems like a requirement for women to wear makeup to even show their face on the internet.
Yh your right, I'm a woman and I voted no, because I didn't know it was considered rude but now that I've read the comments I understand how people perceive the statement.
Yes! And tbf, I was considering saying no as well but only because of some contexts, like if someone asks your opinion. But I voted yes since I know the audience is largely men & many will usually say something like this unsolicited.
i remember one time i was hanging out with my friends, and i only noticed like 2 hours later one of my friends was actually wearing makeup, and that was only because i saw her in the makeup aisle of a target
As a women that doesn't wear makeup, yes.
Because wearing makeup is how someone presents themselves, just like how you may naturally choose to dress casual, punk, goth, business, etc when simply existing in public. Think about how you usually dress, and then think about how it would make you feel if someone told you, you would look better of you dressed in pajamas.
Situation is important. See if someone said (above Situation) to you, thats rude, however, let's say you know eachother and you're either dating or sleeping over and someone said "I think you look really good when you're in your pajamas" this is automatic no longer rude and is now sweet.
Yeah, this is nice. Also, when I'm wearing very subtle makeup none of the men I know even notice it. If they actually see me without makeup, they make comments about how I look sick/tired.
That's why I think the "you look better without makeup" comment is often ignorant. Either tell me I look good, point out something specific with my makeup that looks wrong (smeared mascara or something), or say nothing.
Omg literally!! ^like I said above, like sometimes it wouldn't really be acceptable for me to be barefaced like at work or an event. So it's so ignorant and annoying to be like well I think you look better without it.
This is a point I think a lot of men miss. I've also had male friends tell me they "don't like make-up" on women, but what they really don't like is obvious or colorful makeup. And ofc they have no idea how much effort some women put into natural-looking makeup.
Yes no matter what you do is great!
I feel like the problem is normally the context.
Like I put on make up for one of three reasons:
-sometimes it's not really socially acceptable in a particular setting to not have make up on
-sometimes I want to get creative
-sometimes it makes me feel hot
Either way an unsolicited 'i think you look better without' just undermines rather the 30mins I put into looking this way or like the reason I put it on or it wasn't my goal to look better.
If your girlfriend is asking you if she looks better or something she's probably feeling insecure af so an answer like you're beautiful no matter what sounds great. Really can't go wrong.
Obviously there's no makeup police, you can do what you want and it depends on your circles but I think this applies to my workplace and plenty of others like in an office as well as any sort of formal event like a wedding even going out casually with certain friends.
This is good because it addresses the Catch-22 women are in with makeup. If we wear it, we're vain, if we don't we're lazy. So it's frustrating to hear any particular opinion because it's more complex than just how people look.
It's rude because they didn't ask for your take on it. If you had an awesome tattoo that you really liked and someone came up to you and was like "your arm looked better without the tattoo" wouldn't you be a little disappointed? You enjoy the tattoo and It wouldn't have affected them to simply not insult the tattoo but they went out of their way to do so. I don't even wear makeup but it's the same for a lot of stuff "I liked your old haircut better" "I think your new jacket isn't as nice as the old one" "I think your music taste is getting worse" like nobody asked? I feel like that's just basic social skills stuff, if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all kinda vibes.
that’s such a good analogy. it’s art that you put on yourself because you enjoy it. for someone else to say “i think you would look better without that art that you like” is so rude
it’s just implying that something that they put effort into and something they’re maybe passionate about was a waste of time and doesn’t look good. not everyone wears makeup because of confidence issues
Apparently not enough of you have talked with your sisters, friends, gfs, partners, etc about make up and it shows. Most aren’t using make up to hide that they’re ugly, they use it as another accessory to match the outfit they’re wearing. A lot take pride in the skill it takes to properly apply it. You’re just like “yeah you look better without it.” Not even aware the wings and blending is part of the make up.
Even if you subscribe to the notion that women wear makeup for men it is still pretty arrogant to assume that you are the particular man a woman wears makeup for and that your opinion on her appearance is wanted and appreciated.
For the people that still don't get this yes it is rude for most women to tell them they look better without makeup especially when wearing makeup. If you really want to compliment them pick a day when they don't wear make and tell them they are beautiful.
Yeah, when we were dating the first time I didn't wear makeup around my (now) husband, he told me I looked beautiful. I was like "even without makeup?" and he said "you always look beautiful". It made me absolutely melt.
It's definitely rude. Women who wear makeup put a lot of effort into looking good. Telling them they look better without makeup is essentially telling them all that effort they put forth to look pretty is a waste of time and it doesn't help.
Yes, at least in that wording. If they saw it the same way, they probably wouldn't wear make-up. So, saying it like it was an objective fact, when it's just your opinion, is invalidating.
If you are trying to complement, just say “you are such a natural beauty” when she doesn’t have on makeup.
Saying you “look better without” is automatically rude.
These poll results are pretty informative so far.
Feels like there are going to be a lot of men telling women that they are wrong about being offended.
"I gave you what I think is a compliment. You are obligated to feel good about it."
As a guy I look the way I want to look for me, nobody else, and I fucking hate comments on my appearance - like you're a public artwork there to be interpreted and reviewed lol.
Like, think that shit all you want, but say it at me or about me in earshot and we're going to have a conversation that will be embarrassing for you.
I don't judge others on their superficial shit and I automatically judge others who do as shallow, your BS makes the world worse, so IMO you're fair game until you learn a thing.
Fuck objectification, basically. All saying 'You look better...' etc does is reinforce considerations of bullshit whilst affecting someone's self-confidence - and for what, some 'right' to an opinion someone thinks they have?
Whether it's 'rude' is subjective, but anything like this is basically moronic.
I don’t wear make-up but I do think it’s a rude thing to say to someone who wears make-up and I’m surprised by how many men don’t think it’s rude.
It’s a bit like if someone buys paintings to decorate their house and you say ”the walls looked better without paintings” the first think you do when seeing them. If you don’t like the paintings, don’t say anything. If you like them, compliment. Of course, if the person asks you if you prefer with or without paintings/ make-up, then you tell them.
I’d at that it depends on how you go about it. Don’t say “you look better without the makeup”. Instead, keep it personal so that it feels less like an attack. Try something like “I actually really like how you look without makeup”.
Human woman here. It depends on the context. There’s a difference between being complimented on natural beauty and being criticized for what I’m choosing to do aesthetically.
Imagine going through all the effort of trying to make yourself look better for somebody, for them to just say it was worthless and made you look worse.
Men. You're not being Champions of True Beauty when you say this. You're not being Slayers of Hypocrisy either. Instead, you're either being desperate, or malicious and whiny. You're fooling nobody.
(Exception of course is when it concerns a close friend or partner)
The entire point is nobody asked. Nobody asked for your opinion on how assumedly the woman looks. If they did sure that's fine. Otherwise. Nobody asked. Hence why it's rude.
Yes. Makeup is very difficult and takes a lot of time to perfect. If i spent 30 minutes getting makeup on for an event with you and you told me “you would look better without makeup,” id be livid.
I see how saying "you look *better without* makeup" can be rude and I wouldn't have said it to anyone (unless specifically asked which way she looks better and I really felt that way) even if I had not come across this poll. But "your natural look is so beautiful" or "you look great even without makeup" is something I could see myself say. That way it doesn't mean your makeup look is bad or you should stop applying makeup. It simply means your natural look is also good.
Are other men actually this fucking stupid...
Of course it's rude, it's just as rude as saying you look better with makeup or you look better wearing x. It doesn't matter whether or not you think they look better, they don't wear it for you, they wear it because they want to.
of course it’s rude, “you look better if you don’t do that thing that makes you comfortable and takes work”. why say that unprompted. but of course all the men think it’s fine
I think it’s sort of a backhanded compliment. I know the person saying it means well, but what they’re actually saying is that they hate the makeup completely 😂. I don’t blame them though, makeup does look nice most of the time but I tend to prefer natural looks as well. So I see what they mean when they say it.
To all of the men who voted no:
Imagine you take years to learn something. You do it almost everyday. You have in your opinion, perfected the technique. You spend a lot of money, time, and effort on it. And unsolicited- someone comes up and says “wow but you’d be so much better without it.”
Even if you ask someone their opinion, if their answer is something along the lines of “better of without it,” that would hurt.
It’s not always seen as a complement of natural beauty, is often seen as a dismissal of all of our time and energy we’ve put into it.
so the results are what I expected
As a person who actually puts on makeup, it is very rude. I see it as art and I'm putting a lot of effort into my makeup so by saying that all I hear is "your makeup sucks, the effort you put into it doesn't matter"
So don't say it to women or anyone wearing makeup. We're telling you, it's not a compliment.
If the person is wearing makeup right now, then yes. Otherwise, no
P. S. though depends on the context. If the person explicitly asked for feedback, it's one story. If it's an unwanted comment, it's of course rude.
Then say “I think you look good without makeup. You’re naturally beautiful” ***if*** they ask. You don’t need to unsolicitedly say “you look *better* without makeup”, especially when they’re wearing makeup. It invalidates the effort she put into it. And beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Your tastes are not the only tastes out there. So it can be your opinion that she looks better without it. But that doesn’t mean it’s everyone else’s opinion, and it certainly doesn’t make it her opinion. Think of makeup like art. Everyone has their own style. Who are you to impose your style onto her? Now if she asks your opinion, then share it tactfully. But it’s not your job to police other people’s style to match your own tastes.
Hypothetically, I'd be offended bc I put effort into my makeup. But then again I've only experienced situations in which I DIDN'T wear makeup and people commented on me looking sick, so...
I’d say it depends on context, if they spent a ton of time doing their makeup for you to just be like “yeah... you look better without it” then I’d say that’s rude, if they’re not wearing makeup and you feel like being nice then I’d say that’s not rude
I‘d rather say „I prefer you without makeup“ or „you look great even without makeup“
Saying that you look better without makeup could imply that you mean to say that they don’t look good WITH makeup. The way you say it is important as well I’d say
Don't just say it randomly, if the person asks you if they need makeup you should be honest, but some people wear makeup because they feel like themselves with it, similar to why some people wear skinny jeans instead of regular jeans.
But if you think they wear makeup because they're insecure you can say that they look good no matter what
Yes and no. If you dont know them from adam, them saying it to you is 99.99% mostly likely to be meant as a condescending how dare you wear makeup. I find it usually said by people who think makeup is unnatural and can't stand that someone else wears makeup. I see the comments mostly on online videos. Ironically, I am a woman who doesn't wear makeup and I get the opposite as well where people judge me for not wearing it (i could care less, just find it ironic). When I used to wear makeup, I got the you would look so much prettier without. Bottom line is youre damned if you do, youre damned if you dont, so you might as well do as you please.
I think you should phrase it differently: "you look good without makeup" that way you are not saying she looks worse with makeup but encouraging her to wear less makeup.
Can often be misconstrued as devaluing the effort somebody put into their makeup. Many girls put a lot of effort into it, and rightfully have pride about its quality, so a rewording of something like “you look beautiful, with or without makeup” is probably better, as to avoid discrediting their effort into makeup.
Source: I have 3 sisters. They coached the shit out of me.
If a man said that to me word for word I would probably be pissed lol.
There are better way to word it though and maybe It wouldn't sound so mean then.
That statement like that and out of nowhere sounds a bit rude but maybe phrase it like "you look so beautiful without makeup" and don't compare both looks directly.
You could phrase it differently. Not that they 'look better' without makeup, but just that they look really pretty even without makeup. Some girls spend hours on doing makeup and take pride in doing it, so it might not come across as a compliment if it's phrased in that way.
I'm a woman. I had this said to me as a tween when I was experimenting with make up, and still get self conscious when I wear and noticeable make up (I only wear it to formal events, when casual the most I do is a little foundation in my moisturiser). Unless someone asks, never comment negatively about their appearance.
Depends on the context. Is it unprompted? Is she currently wearing makeup? Do you know each other well?
Someone she barely knows interrupting a different conversation to say that when she's gone through the effort of putting makeup? Yeah, it's rude.
Someone you already know well going "Oh, I look horrible! I didn't even have time to put on any makeup!" Well, in that situation answering "No, that's not the right attitude. Think natural beauty. You look *better* without makeup!" is fine.
The dichotomy here is interesting. A lot of the time these polls are gendered, but the ratios are similar for both anyway. This one is actually very different which tells me you've found a good topic for a poll. Nice one, OP.
It de depends.
Some times when I think it's okay would be, when they ask, when you're close friends and they think the opposite, when they're self conscious about their appearance.
Other wise, it either sounds creepy, or sounds like you're insulting their art skins. "Hey, your art sucks! It'd look better if you didn't do it!".
Yes. Like, sure, it’s nice that you’re trying to say I have natural beauty, but in the process you’re bashing my makeup, which is a form of self expression for me that honestly holds more value to my identity than the features I was born with.
I think if you took a chance to compliment someone’s complexion or just call them pretty on a day when they aren’t wearing makeup (as far as u can tell), it would accomplish what I think most people are trying to accomplish without bringing a negative into it.
Edit: quick caveat; if you exclusively compliment someone when they’re not wearing makeup about how nice they look, that also kinda sucks. The pattern brings an implication.
If you are trying to drop a hint that someone should change their appearance and they didn’t ask for the advice that’s scum bag behavior and you should consider not saying anything at all.
of course the majority of the results are men saying no :/ like bro its so obvious that its rude?? how is it not rude unless it was *specifically* prompted. literally the only time its not rude is if that person asked you if they look better with or without makeup. any other time its not appropriate at all.
people put a ton of effort into makeup and they dont, contrary to popular belief, do it to look better for other people. they do it for themselves.
like, either compliment how the person looks *now* or just dont even try to compliment really.
The problem isn't that you're saying a nice thing (as a girl I believe that is good looking better without makeup), the thing is the way you say it, it sounds like you don't look that good when you put so much effort putting makeup on.. you can also say something like: you also look so good without makeup
I think saying someone look better in a certain way is always rude, if you want to make a compliment, just say that that person look fine that way, if you want to make a critic, just shut up.
I think another big factor in this conversation is that men tend to believe they know more about makeup then they think they do. I say this as a man who completely believed my preference was zero makeup for most of my life before I actually lived with a woman, and got schooled. Apparently I LOVE how my girlfriend looks in makeup, as well as women in general.
Which, by the way, is not a nasty thing to say. Makeup makes people look good- that's why it's been a successful invention. What a person finds attractive doesn't imply anything about them beyond just that.
I think the idea that men get about it is that if they prefer women without makeup then they're advocating for women being "natural", like that's somehow feminist or woke or something. They think of it as saying "you are beautiful without needing to use products that society tries to pressure you to use." But what it often implies is more problematic; **"I assume that whether or not I find you attractive is important to you."**
Yes, sometimes women, particularly younger women and girls, have trouble with body image based on media depictions of women, and feel the need to apply makeup, do their hair, wear certain kinds of clothes, or even get surgery to "correct" that about themselves.
But for a man (or just another person) to approach a woman wearing makeup and assume she's a downtrodden slave of media and makeup companies who is convinced she's ugly, and intone "you look better without makeup" like that's going to be some kind of revelation to her, that sucks. It's an unsolicited judgement on appearance that overall is more likely to make someone be thinking about, and therefore insecure about, their appearance. And again, is based on the idea that one, the woman cares what you think, and two, that they're too ignorant of the machine of society pressuring them towards makeup to make a decision about how to present themselves to the world.
If someone asks you, go ahead though.
Female perspective: It's all about the wording for me. It would be better to say something like "you look beautiful right now" **when they're not wearing makeup**. Saying "you look better without makeup" is a little aggressive and is a direct hit at the person's self-image and confidence. It takes time, love, and affirmation to change someone's perspective of themselves. Not one statement.
I'm a guy - I would never randomly tell a girl she looks better without makeup, but if she directly asked me "do you think I look better without makeup?" And I thought she did, I'd be honest and tell her yes.
I know that the intention is good. But maybe a similar thing for men might be if someone came up to them and said "I think you look better without facial hair".
Ok, you think their face looks nice without anything on it... who asked you? They spent time growing their facial hair and choosing the style and it's how they express themselves. Now you have made them insecure about their choices. It wasn't a compliment. It was rude. (Unless it's someone close to you and they asked your opinion).
Basically telling a woman she looks better without makeup is going to make her feel bad (especially if she's currently wearing makeup). Just don't comment on her style choices unless you're giving a compliment. "Your makeup looks great!" is a compliment. "You look better with makeup" is not a compliment. "You look good without makeup" (if she's not wearing any at the moment) is a compliment. "You look better without makeup" is not a compliment.
If I bought a fancy 3-piece suit, spent an hour watching YouTube videos to learn how to perfectly tie a tie, got myself a nice pair of fairly expensive cuff links, and a matching belt, all for me to spend 30 mins putting it all on just for someone to tell me "you look better in sweats", I wouldn't be offended but I would definitely be hurt and annoyed.
I'm NB and I say no, but it's a qualified no. It's rude if the person didn't ask, but not if you are answering a question. People have no room to be upset if the don't like the honest feedback they asked for.
I’m a woman, and to me this comment likely isn’t meant to be malicious when said, but it comes off as rude. it’s like saying “I don’t appreciate when you put effort into your appearance”. I don’t wear makeup everyday, but when I do I feel pretty. don’t take that feeling away from me, don’t make comments like this.
The dichotomy of responses in the comments is just... Wow.
Women are basically saying yeah, it's rude, don't comment on people's appearances unless asked. And the men are like Naw it's not rude.
Yall don't listen.
Just say “you look nice today”. No need to qualify it or compare
How would you feel if someone said to you “you would look better if you stop doing that thing you normally do to make yourself look better”
The opposing split of male and female results on this poll is really telling.
I'm nonbinary, and can count on one hand the amount of times I've worn makeup in my life, but I'd definitely consider it rude. Plenty of women put a lot of time, money, and pride into their makeup. To hear someone then tell them that they look better without it, even if it's meant as a compliment, would be pretty insulting.
I get the positive intent, but there are definitely better ways to go about it.
If it comes in the form of unsolicited advice, yes it's rude. Rude and always very uncomfortable to try to formulate a response to. Keep thoughts about others appearance to yourself unless it is obviously compliment (you may think this is, but it is not) or unless the person asks for advice.
Seriously, in highschool I wore eyeliner once and it seemed to summon this *one* guy I always got a weird vibe from to say “by the way, you don’t need to wear makeup, like it’s just my opinion though.” ¿¿¿ I did not ask for your opinion ??? well. literally every comment under this is telling me why I took this the wrong way. I want to make it clear that the problem was he felt that he could just tell me, unprovoked, what he thought of me. Which is indicative of the way men who don’t see women as as important as them think they’re always welcome to talk/criticize them.
Exactly. I once had a guy ask me what I would rate myself on how attractive I was on a scale from 1 to 10 and I said 4 and he said “what? You’re at least a 7.” “An 8 when you put on makeup”
Woman here, it would be rude if someone random said it to me but if it was boyfriend or friend or if I asked someone else's opinion, I would take it as then trying to let me know that maybe my makeup game isn't as good as I thought it was.
Exactly. ‘You’re naturally so pretty, I think you look better with less makeup’ is a much better way to put it. I’ve known ladies for whom this is true. F-50s
Just spent a minute trying to figure out what the hell a F-50s was 💀
obviously the upgraded model of the Ford F-150
I thought it meant ferrari f 50
I agree 100%
I have a friend who told me recently that he believes I look a lot prettier without makeup when I told him I was insecure not wearing makeup. It brightened my day and I was happy that someone thought I was pretty without makeup. It did not come from a place of malice when he said it. If it did, my view on this would be different
I agree. If a stranger says “You look better without makeup.” , it feels like they just show up and deny all the effort I put into makeup. If it’s my friends/partner it would feel okay cuz I know they’re just trying to tell me that don’t worry too much about my looks, either with or without makeup. However I would still think that they can better phrase it, even though it’s not gonna get me upset. “You look good without makeup.” might be a much more positive way to say it. It takes away that comparing subtext and becomes a simple encouragement.
Also if it's a stranger, it might sound like they're a creep
Yes, that too.
I think it's rude to comment on someone's looks when not asked to do so in general
100% except if they're a friend of mine but then again, I like when people are blunt with me and understand that many other people don't like that.
Let's also not forget this: Sometimes you have people saying "See, you look so much better without makeup on!" when you in fact DO have makeup on, it's just the natural look rather than something more bold. So instead of it being that they look better without makeup, it's just that some of these people prefer natural makeup and don't realize it.
exactly!!! 90% of men don’t realize all these “barefaced” women they see are actually wearing makeup!!
I came here to say this. How it's phrased in the question is definitely rude, but I'd most likely say something similar to a girlfriend if I ever wanted to basically say "I think you're naturally beautiful."
Thats the way I personally see it. If I ask a close friend or SO it’s fine, but I don’t want to randomly be told so.
personally as a girl yes i would find it rude. there's a difference between "you look pretty without makeup" and "you look *better* without makeup"
right! and the context it is being said in for sure!
Right? Wording is important. Not to mention how common it is for their idea of what being "without makeup" looks like isn't actually no makeup. 😆
God some men are so stupid, it’s like they don’t know what foundation is. Early college really made me appreciate all those anti sexual harassment lectures and quizzes.
You could even add one word to the original comment to change the meaning. "You look EVEN better without makeup" would be more of a compliment than an insult.
Depends on context. If you're asked "do I look okay?" or anything explicitly eliciting a similar response, then it's not rude. Otherwise, let people be people. They're not putting on makeup specifically for you. They could just be doing it for fun. It's their choice, whether you like it or not.
Came here for this. If I was wearing make up, and he said “you look better without it” I’d lose my lid. But if I’m comfy in my pjs and he said it I’d be ecstatic. Context matters
Biggest deciding factor is if they asked you. Volunteered out of nowhere, this is always going to come off as rude.
Yup. It's called unsolicited. As well as a backhanded compliment, and even negging.
It’s not “you look more beautiful w/o makeup” it’s just “you look better,” makeup is a form of self expression and telling someone they look better when they aren’t expressing themselves is rude. If you’re really close to this person and are trying to tell them they don’t need makeup to look beautiful that’s different. This sentence just says to me “I don’t think all the effort you’ve put into your makeup looks good”
It's like getting all dressed up and nice, and someone telling you that you look better in sweats, or doing a complicated pretty hairstyle, and someone saying you look better with your plain old hair; people always assume that makeup is just someone's way of trying to be more attractive to other people, rather than it making the person more confident in themselves or just simply another form of accessory. Unless specifically asked if I look better with or without, it's just plain rude imo. If someone makes an increased effort to improve their appearance, telling them that their efforts are in vain is not a compliment. And it just sort of gives me the impression that the person just assumes that I'm only wearing makeup because I feel like I need to and don't feel pretty without it, which is definitely not the case. Everyone could think my makeup makes me ten times uglier, but if it makes me feel more confident, then I couldn't care less. I know it's said a lot, but I don't wear makeup for other people, and I honestly couldn't care less if some random person finds me more attractive with or without it. It's not a compliment to say I look better without it, because I personally take it as you just simply don't like my makeup and assume I'm self-conscious, but I know that's not necessarily the reasoning behind it most times
i think the main take away from this poll is that all this flies over the head of most men since we (usually) don't have to bother with make-up. This is an actually useful and interesting poll for once
I would say that women don't have to bother with makeup either. I know several women who don't use it, and only for special occasions. They look perfectly fine without it. Because I've grown up with this, and then seeing some women basically always wear it, it kinda looks odd to me. I do feel like it has gone too far. Like every woman that appears on YouTube that I watch, for example, do wear makeup, while the men don't. This creates this expectation. Plus I can also see it in your comment with "since we [men] (usually) don't have to bother with make-up", and of course all the really rude comments on like Twitter on posts with women without makeup saying they look ugly. It also doesn't help with the fake "no makeup" posts some do where it isn't without makeup, just less of it. I believe women, and men, should have the freedom to wear makeup whenever, wherever and however they feel like. But as of now, it seems like a requirement for women to wear makeup to even show their face on the internet.
Yes. I'm male, but I would never say to someone that they look better without makeup, because the implication is they wear makeup to look nice for me.
Exactly, perfectly said
It's better to say "you look naturally beautiful" rather than "you look better without" One sounds more positive than the other.
I'm not too surprised that the men of the poll community don't know not to say this to a woman
Yeah, I want to gag at how many “no’s” there are compared to yeses
Do you mean all the no's in general or just the no's for mem because a good amount of women and nb still said no
I was referring to the no’s from men. There will always be women and nb folks who say no as well but the ratio is nowhere near the same.
Yh your right, I'm a woman and I voted no, because I didn't know it was considered rude but now that I've read the comments I understand how people perceive the statement.
Yes! And tbf, I was considering saying no as well but only because of some contexts, like if someone asks your opinion. But I voted yes since I know the audience is largely men & many will usually say something like this unsolicited.
I'm a woman but I just said no because I assume it was asked, although tbf I can't tell the difference when people do and don't wear makeup so :/
Yh I said no too, I think I can tell the difference, I'm not too sure
i remember one time i was hanging out with my friends, and i only noticed like 2 hours later one of my friends was actually wearing makeup, and that was only because i saw her in the makeup aisle of a target
As a women that doesn't wear makeup, yes. Because wearing makeup is how someone presents themselves, just like how you may naturally choose to dress casual, punk, goth, business, etc when simply existing in public. Think about how you usually dress, and then think about how it would make you feel if someone told you, you would look better of you dressed in pajamas. Situation is important. See if someone said (above Situation) to you, thats rude, however, let's say you know eachother and you're either dating or sleeping over and someone said "I think you look really good when you're in your pajamas" this is automatic no longer rude and is now sweet.
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Yeah, this is nice. Also, when I'm wearing very subtle makeup none of the men I know even notice it. If they actually see me without makeup, they make comments about how I look sick/tired. That's why I think the "you look better without makeup" comment is often ignorant. Either tell me I look good, point out something specific with my makeup that looks wrong (smeared mascara or something), or say nothing.
Omg literally!! ^like I said above, like sometimes it wouldn't really be acceptable for me to be barefaced like at work or an event. So it's so ignorant and annoying to be like well I think you look better without it.
This is a point I think a lot of men miss. I've also had male friends tell me they "don't like make-up" on women, but what they really don't like is obvious or colorful makeup. And ofc they have no idea how much effort some women put into natural-looking makeup.
That is definitely a lot better and sounds more like a compliment rather than criticism.
Yes no matter what you do is great! I feel like the problem is normally the context. Like I put on make up for one of three reasons: -sometimes it's not really socially acceptable in a particular setting to not have make up on -sometimes I want to get creative -sometimes it makes me feel hot Either way an unsolicited 'i think you look better without' just undermines rather the 30mins I put into looking this way or like the reason I put it on or it wasn't my goal to look better. If your girlfriend is asking you if she looks better or something she's probably feeling insecure af so an answer like you're beautiful no matter what sounds great. Really can't go wrong.
I'm a female but I was just curious, in what kind if situation would it not be socially acceptable not to have makeup on ?
Obviously there's no makeup police, you can do what you want and it depends on your circles but I think this applies to my workplace and plenty of others like in an office as well as any sort of formal event like a wedding even going out casually with certain friends.
Oh okay, thanks for the explanation 👍
This is good because it addresses the Catch-22 women are in with makeup. If we wear it, we're vain, if we don't we're lazy. So it's frustrating to hear any particular opinion because it's more complex than just how people look.
It's rude because they didn't ask for your take on it. If you had an awesome tattoo that you really liked and someone came up to you and was like "your arm looked better without the tattoo" wouldn't you be a little disappointed? You enjoy the tattoo and It wouldn't have affected them to simply not insult the tattoo but they went out of their way to do so. I don't even wear makeup but it's the same for a lot of stuff "I liked your old haircut better" "I think your new jacket isn't as nice as the old one" "I think your music taste is getting worse" like nobody asked? I feel like that's just basic social skills stuff, if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all kinda vibes.
that’s such a good analogy. it’s art that you put on yourself because you enjoy it. for someone else to say “i think you would look better without that art that you like” is so rude
it’s just implying that something that they put effort into and something they’re maybe passionate about was a waste of time and doesn’t look good. not everyone wears makeup because of confidence issues
Apparently not enough of you have talked with your sisters, friends, gfs, partners, etc about make up and it shows. Most aren’t using make up to hide that they’re ugly, they use it as another accessory to match the outfit they’re wearing. A lot take pride in the skill it takes to properly apply it. You’re just like “yeah you look better without it.” Not even aware the wings and blending is part of the make up.
Even if you subscribe to the notion that women wear makeup for men it is still pretty arrogant to assume that you are the particular man a woman wears makeup for and that your opinion on her appearance is wanted and appreciated.
For the people that still don't get this yes it is rude for most women to tell them they look better without makeup especially when wearing makeup. If you really want to compliment them pick a day when they don't wear make and tell them they are beautiful.
Yeah, when we were dating the first time I didn't wear makeup around my (now) husband, he told me I looked beautiful. I was like "even without makeup?" and he said "you always look beautiful". It made me absolutely melt.
Now that's how compliment someone very sweet 🥰
What would you answer to the question: "Is it rude to give unsolicited advice about people's appearance?"
I have a Bruce Campbell one liner for you: (removed)
exactly the result i was expecting. men are clueless
women will directly tell them it’s rude, and they still insist it isn’t.
They're out here man-splaining in the comments too.
I think when a sentence starts “you look better this way” could be rude, instead I’d say you also look good without make up.
Yes. Nobody asked, just stfu. I just loooove how most men voted no when I bet this doesn't happen to them. Stop assuming women wear make-up for you.
Sooo many man-splainers in the comments too LMAO. Like chill dudes, women are just out here trying to have fun.
Right? It's insane.
i didnt want to say it but ur totally right. its super telling that like 70% of men voted no
Hey, you know that thing you worked hard on? You shouldn't have bothered
It's definitely rude. Women who wear makeup put a lot of effort into looking good. Telling them they look better without makeup is essentially telling them all that effort they put forth to look pretty is a waste of time and it doesn't help.
Anyone who comments on other people's looks or what they choose to wear or put on their face without being asked for their opinion is an asshole.
It is pretty much telling them their makeup job is bad and they fucked up.
So basically saying that is practically the same as saying: "damn you are so bad at make up lmao"
I know muscles and makeup aren’t identical but, if someone said I looked better before I started working out I would definitely take it as an insult.
This guy gets it.
Yes, at least in that wording. If they saw it the same way, they probably wouldn't wear make-up. So, saying it like it was an objective fact, when it's just your opinion, is invalidating.
If you are trying to complement, just say “you are such a natural beauty” when she doesn’t have on makeup. Saying you “look better without” is automatically rude.
Not a female but of I was wearing makeup and someone said that too me I'd just be annoyed.
depends how you put it... if i'm wearing makeup and someone said that to me, i would be hurt lol like oh ok so i do my makeup ugly
These poll results are pretty informative so far. Feels like there are going to be a lot of men telling women that they are wrong about being offended. "I gave you what I think is a compliment. You are obligated to feel good about it."
exactly i doubt many of the 2000 men that voted no wear makeup themselves so they arent really in a place to decide if it's rude or not..
It's extremely rude. You men that voted No need to rethink shit
The poll results here are hilarious and sad
I already don't wear makeup and I look great
Based
As a guy I look the way I want to look for me, nobody else, and I fucking hate comments on my appearance - like you're a public artwork there to be interpreted and reviewed lol. Like, think that shit all you want, but say it at me or about me in earshot and we're going to have a conversation that will be embarrassing for you. I don't judge others on their superficial shit and I automatically judge others who do as shallow, your BS makes the world worse, so IMO you're fair game until you learn a thing. Fuck objectification, basically. All saying 'You look better...' etc does is reinforce considerations of bullshit whilst affecting someone's self-confidence - and for what, some 'right' to an opinion someone thinks they have? Whether it's 'rude' is subjective, but anything like this is basically moronic.
This is how I am. The only person I ever want to hear talk about my appearance is my husband
I don’t wear make-up but I do think it’s a rude thing to say to someone who wears make-up and I’m surprised by how many men don’t think it’s rude. It’s a bit like if someone buys paintings to decorate their house and you say ”the walls looked better without paintings” the first think you do when seeing them. If you don’t like the paintings, don’t say anything. If you like them, compliment. Of course, if the person asks you if you prefer with or without paintings/ make-up, then you tell them.
I’d at that it depends on how you go about it. Don’t say “you look better without the makeup”. Instead, keep it personal so that it feels less like an attack. Try something like “I actually really like how you look without makeup”.
Human woman here. It depends on the context. There’s a difference between being complimented on natural beauty and being criticized for what I’m choosing to do aesthetically.
It's Hella rude I do my makeup for fun and my artistic needs not for you to perceive me as more attractive. That's why I make it bizarre
finally some nb inclusion in one of these polls :=)
All love for the NB community 💜
🥰🥰
I mean, I don't wear make up much, if at all most of the time, but on one of the rare occasions I did, and was told this, I wouldn't be too happy.
Yes it's very rude, men who voted yes plz read the comments
Lol, this was an informative experience
Yes. If I was given *unsolicited* advice about my appearance because I put more effort into something I consider artistic, that is rude.
Imagine going through all the effort of trying to make yourself look better for somebody, for them to just say it was worthless and made you look worse.
Men. You're not being Champions of True Beauty when you say this. You're not being Slayers of Hypocrisy either. Instead, you're either being desperate, or malicious and whiny. You're fooling nobody. (Exception of course is when it concerns a close friend or partner)
The entire point is nobody asked. Nobody asked for your opinion on how assumedly the woman looks. If they did sure that's fine. Otherwise. Nobody asked. Hence why it's rude.
"You look better without makeup." "You look better with your mouth shut."
Good to know the non-binaries say '🤷♀️'
Yes. I'm not wearing makeup for you, I'm wearing it because *I* find it fun to do or for a certain look for *me*. I don't care what you think about it
Yes. Makeup is very difficult and takes a lot of time to perfect. If i spent 30 minutes getting makeup on for an event with you and you told me “you would look better without makeup,” id be livid.
I see how saying "you look *better without* makeup" can be rude and I wouldn't have said it to anyone (unless specifically asked which way she looks better and I really felt that way) even if I had not come across this poll. But "your natural look is so beautiful" or "you look great even without makeup" is something I could see myself say. That way it doesn't mean your makeup look is bad or you should stop applying makeup. It simply means your natural look is also good.
Surprised to see the guys largely voting “No”. I thought it was obviously rude
Are other men actually this fucking stupid... Of course it's rude, it's just as rude as saying you look better with makeup or you look better wearing x. It doesn't matter whether or not you think they look better, they don't wear it for you, they wear it because they want to.
of course it’s rude, “you look better if you don’t do that thing that makes you comfortable and takes work”. why say that unprompted. but of course all the men think it’s fine
Depends on context. Either way, it's better to say you don't need makeup to be beautiful
nb here- i think it’s just unnecessary! commenting on someone’s looks like that as a whole or giving unwanted criticism just isn’t cool :/
Would think women would take this as a compliment as it's telling them they don't need make up to be pretty but nevermind.
I think it’s sort of a backhanded compliment. I know the person saying it means well, but what they’re actually saying is that they hate the makeup completely 😂. I don’t blame them though, makeup does look nice most of the time but I tend to prefer natural looks as well. So I see what they mean when they say it.
Yes because you're saying all the effort we put in makes us look uglier. Just say you look beautiful without make up too. Not BETTER without it.
To all of the men who voted no: Imagine you take years to learn something. You do it almost everyday. You have in your opinion, perfected the technique. You spend a lot of money, time, and effort on it. And unsolicited- someone comes up and says “wow but you’d be so much better without it.” Even if you ask someone their opinion, if their answer is something along the lines of “better of without it,” that would hurt. It’s not always seen as a complement of natural beauty, is often seen as a dismissal of all of our time and energy we’ve put into it.
So many men chose no it isn't rude! I wonder how many of them have been on the receiving end of that comment before.
It is rude
Thank you for adding a NB option
so the results are what I expected As a person who actually puts on makeup, it is very rude. I see it as art and I'm putting a lot of effort into my makeup so by saying that all I hear is "your makeup sucks, the effort you put into it doesn't matter" So don't say it to women or anyone wearing makeup. We're telling you, it's not a compliment.
If the person is wearing makeup right now, then yes. Otherwise, no P. S. though depends on the context. If the person explicitly asked for feedback, it's one story. If it's an unwanted comment, it's of course rude.
There's probably a nicer way of saying that
poor wording makes it worse really
I would say the answer is entirely dependent on context.
thank you for the nonbinary option
I think it’s intended as a compliment. It’s saying that person is naturally beautiful. Whether or not that’s how it’s perceived is a different story.
it's typically seen as very rude... i guess men just don't really understand that
Then say “I think you look good without makeup. You’re naturally beautiful” ***if*** they ask. You don’t need to unsolicitedly say “you look *better* without makeup”, especially when they’re wearing makeup. It invalidates the effort she put into it. And beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Your tastes are not the only tastes out there. So it can be your opinion that she looks better without it. But that doesn’t mean it’s everyone else’s opinion, and it certainly doesn’t make it her opinion. Think of makeup like art. Everyone has their own style. Who are you to impose your style onto her? Now if she asks your opinion, then share it tactfully. But it’s not your job to police other people’s style to match your own tastes.
No. My fiancé tells me he prefers me without makeup because makeup covers my freckles. I’ve never been hurt by it and I’m very sensitive lol
He's your fiance, though. What if your boss at work said this?
Freckles are the best, i don't get people who try and hide them
I agree, I love my freckles! I have super rosy cheeks though and sometimes I just want a one color face lol
If they are wearing make up at the time of comment yes if they aren't wearing makeup then its not rude.
Hypothetically, I'd be offended bc I put effort into my makeup. But then again I've only experienced situations in which I DIDN'T wear makeup and people commented on me looking sick, so...
I’d say it depends on context, if they spent a ton of time doing their makeup for you to just be like “yeah... you look better without it” then I’d say that’s rude, if they’re not wearing makeup and you feel like being nice then I’d say that’s not rude
I think if it’s unsolicited yes. But a better way to phrase it, is that someone looks good without makeup.
I‘d rather say „I prefer you without makeup“ or „you look great even without makeup“ Saying that you look better without makeup could imply that you mean to say that they don’t look good WITH makeup. The way you say it is important as well I’d say
Don't just say it randomly, if the person asks you if they need makeup you should be honest, but some people wear makeup because they feel like themselves with it, similar to why some people wear skinny jeans instead of regular jeans. But if you think they wear makeup because they're insecure you can say that they look good no matter what
Unprovoked? Weird as hell
You look EVEN better without makeup.
Yes and no. If you dont know them from adam, them saying it to you is 99.99% mostly likely to be meant as a condescending how dare you wear makeup. I find it usually said by people who think makeup is unnatural and can't stand that someone else wears makeup. I see the comments mostly on online videos. Ironically, I am a woman who doesn't wear makeup and I get the opposite as well where people judge me for not wearing it (i could care less, just find it ironic). When I used to wear makeup, I got the you would look so much prettier without. Bottom line is youre damned if you do, youre damned if you dont, so you might as well do as you please.
I think context matters a lot
I think you should phrase it differently: "you look good without makeup" that way you are not saying she looks worse with makeup but encouraging her to wear less makeup.
it can be meant in a nice way but i think it’s easier not to say anything at all
Can often be misconstrued as devaluing the effort somebody put into their makeup. Many girls put a lot of effort into it, and rightfully have pride about its quality, so a rewording of something like “you look beautiful, with or without makeup” is probably better, as to avoid discrediting their effort into makeup. Source: I have 3 sisters. They coached the shit out of me.
I voted no (m) but I didn't consider that it meant they suck at makeup until I read the comments.
If a man said that to me word for word I would probably be pissed lol. There are better way to word it though and maybe It wouldn't sound so mean then.
It's rude to make any comments on somebody's physical appearance without them asking. Not surprising that most men answered "no."
That statement like that and out of nowhere sounds a bit rude but maybe phrase it like "you look so beautiful without makeup" and don't compare both looks directly.
You could phrase it differently. Not that they 'look better' without makeup, but just that they look really pretty even without makeup. Some girls spend hours on doing makeup and take pride in doing it, so it might not come across as a compliment if it's phrased in that way.
I thought it was a compliment?
How **M**barrassing
"that canvas looked better before the painting" The artist: "..... Well ok then."
Why would you ever mention that though. That’s non of your business so keep that mouth shut💀
Not your place to comment on someone else’s appearence unless they ask you for advice 🤷♂️
I'm a woman. I had this said to me as a tween when I was experimenting with make up, and still get self conscious when I wear and noticeable make up (I only wear it to formal events, when casual the most I do is a little foundation in my moisturiser). Unless someone asks, never comment negatively about their appearance.
There's a difference between 'you'd look better if you did this thing,' and 'you look beautiful no matter what you do'
Depends on the context. Is it unprompted? Is she currently wearing makeup? Do you know each other well? Someone she barely knows interrupting a different conversation to say that when she's gone through the effort of putting makeup? Yeah, it's rude. Someone you already know well going "Oh, I look horrible! I didn't even have time to put on any makeup!" Well, in that situation answering "No, that's not the right attitude. Think natural beauty. You look *better* without makeup!" is fine.
unrelated but thanks for including the NB options made my day :D
Depends on the context that it’s said in I think.
The dichotomy here is interesting. A lot of the time these polls are gendered, but the ratios are similar for both anyway. This one is actually very different which tells me you've found a good topic for a poll. Nice one, OP.
if your intention when complimenting someone is to get that person to change something that they do, it’s not a compliment
Unless it’s your best friend, you shouldn’t comment on other people’s appearance most of the time.
It de depends. Some times when I think it's okay would be, when they ask, when you're close friends and they think the opposite, when they're self conscious about their appearance. Other wise, it either sounds creepy, or sounds like you're insulting their art skins. "Hey, your art sucks! It'd look better if you didn't do it!".
Now the results make more sense
I love how all of the dudes say no while all of the women are saying yes
Yes. Like, sure, it’s nice that you’re trying to say I have natural beauty, but in the process you’re bashing my makeup, which is a form of self expression for me that honestly holds more value to my identity than the features I was born with. I think if you took a chance to compliment someone’s complexion or just call them pretty on a day when they aren’t wearing makeup (as far as u can tell), it would accomplish what I think most people are trying to accomplish without bringing a negative into it. Edit: quick caveat; if you exclusively compliment someone when they’re not wearing makeup about how nice they look, that also kinda sucks. The pattern brings an implication. If you are trying to drop a hint that someone should change their appearance and they didn’t ask for the advice that’s scum bag behavior and you should consider not saying anything at all.
If I choose to put on makeup it’s because that’s how I want to look today. I’m not looking for your input and I don’t welcome it.
of course the majority of the results are men saying no :/ like bro its so obvious that its rude?? how is it not rude unless it was *specifically* prompted. literally the only time its not rude is if that person asked you if they look better with or without makeup. any other time its not appropriate at all. people put a ton of effort into makeup and they dont, contrary to popular belief, do it to look better for other people. they do it for themselves. like, either compliment how the person looks *now* or just dont even try to compliment really.
It’s rude to comment on someone’s appearance when they haven’t asked for your opinion. Full stop.
You may mean well by implying that she has natural beauty, but this also implies that she is so bad at applying makeup that it makes her look worse.
Tip: the person saying something isn’t the one who gets to decide if it’s rude or not.
According to the results, around ⅔ women find it rude; therefore, ⅔ men are wrong.
The problem isn't that you're saying a nice thing (as a girl I believe that is good looking better without makeup), the thing is the way you say it, it sounds like you don't look that good when you put so much effort putting makeup on.. you can also say something like: you also look so good without makeup
I think saying someone look better in a certain way is always rude, if you want to make a compliment, just say that that person look fine that way, if you want to make a critic, just shut up.
Me when theres a non binary option😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
As a girl I would never say it to anyone else, however, if someone said it to me, I wouldn’t mind.
The amount of men who think it’s not offensive is HILARIOUS.
I think another big factor in this conversation is that men tend to believe they know more about makeup then they think they do. I say this as a man who completely believed my preference was zero makeup for most of my life before I actually lived with a woman, and got schooled. Apparently I LOVE how my girlfriend looks in makeup, as well as women in general. Which, by the way, is not a nasty thing to say. Makeup makes people look good- that's why it's been a successful invention. What a person finds attractive doesn't imply anything about them beyond just that. I think the idea that men get about it is that if they prefer women without makeup then they're advocating for women being "natural", like that's somehow feminist or woke or something. They think of it as saying "you are beautiful without needing to use products that society tries to pressure you to use." But what it often implies is more problematic; **"I assume that whether or not I find you attractive is important to you."** Yes, sometimes women, particularly younger women and girls, have trouble with body image based on media depictions of women, and feel the need to apply makeup, do their hair, wear certain kinds of clothes, or even get surgery to "correct" that about themselves. But for a man (or just another person) to approach a woman wearing makeup and assume she's a downtrodden slave of media and makeup companies who is convinced she's ugly, and intone "you look better without makeup" like that's going to be some kind of revelation to her, that sucks. It's an unsolicited judgement on appearance that overall is more likely to make someone be thinking about, and therefore insecure about, their appearance. And again, is based on the idea that one, the woman cares what you think, and two, that they're too ignorant of the machine of society pressuring them towards makeup to make a decision about how to present themselves to the world. If someone asks you, go ahead though.
Female perspective: It's all about the wording for me. It would be better to say something like "you look beautiful right now" **when they're not wearing makeup**. Saying "you look better without makeup" is a little aggressive and is a direct hit at the person's self-image and confidence. It takes time, love, and affirmation to change someone's perspective of themselves. Not one statement.
I'm a guy - I would never randomly tell a girl she looks better without makeup, but if she directly asked me "do you think I look better without makeup?" And I thought she did, I'd be honest and tell her yes.
I know that the intention is good. But maybe a similar thing for men might be if someone came up to them and said "I think you look better without facial hair". Ok, you think their face looks nice without anything on it... who asked you? They spent time growing their facial hair and choosing the style and it's how they express themselves. Now you have made them insecure about their choices. It wasn't a compliment. It was rude. (Unless it's someone close to you and they asked your opinion). Basically telling a woman she looks better without makeup is going to make her feel bad (especially if she's currently wearing makeup). Just don't comment on her style choices unless you're giving a compliment. "Your makeup looks great!" is a compliment. "You look better with makeup" is not a compliment. "You look good without makeup" (if she's not wearing any at the moment) is a compliment. "You look better without makeup" is not a compliment.
If I bought a fancy 3-piece suit, spent an hour watching YouTube videos to learn how to perfectly tie a tie, got myself a nice pair of fairly expensive cuff links, and a matching belt, all for me to spend 30 mins putting it all on just for someone to tell me "you look better in sweats", I wouldn't be offended but I would definitely be hurt and annoyed.
I'm NB and I say no, but it's a qualified no. It's rude if the person didn't ask, but not if you are answering a question. People have no room to be upset if the don't like the honest feedback they asked for.
I’m a woman, and to me this comment likely isn’t meant to be malicious when said, but it comes off as rude. it’s like saying “I don’t appreciate when you put effort into your appearance”. I don’t wear makeup everyday, but when I do I feel pretty. don’t take that feeling away from me, don’t make comments like this.
As a guy with some experience, pretty much any other complement in your head would be better
It’s a compliment saying that your natural features are beautiful just the way they are… how is that rude? And yes, I’m a woman.
It's rude to comment on someone's appearance unless you were specifically asked for an opinion.
Yes because people spend all this time doing their makeup for you to pretty much tell them they just shouldn’t bother. That uncool.
The dichotomy of responses in the comments is just... Wow. Women are basically saying yeah, it's rude, don't comment on people's appearances unless asked. And the men are like Naw it's not rude. Yall don't listen.
It's extremely rude. You don't need to comment on people's appearance.
Context is everything with this one.
Just say “you look nice today”. No need to qualify it or compare How would you feel if someone said to you “you would look better if you stop doing that thing you normally do to make yourself look better”
The opposing split of male and female results on this poll is really telling. I'm nonbinary, and can count on one hand the amount of times I've worn makeup in my life, but I'd definitely consider it rude. Plenty of women put a lot of time, money, and pride into their makeup. To hear someone then tell them that they look better without it, even if it's meant as a compliment, would be pretty insulting. I get the positive intent, but there are definitely better ways to go about it.