According to Business Standard, a new study out of England shows that 25% of women there wear makeup to bed – mostly in order to look good for their partners. I certainly wouldn’t be surprised if the numbers are similar in the US. Many of the women admitted that the practice has had negative effects on the condition of their skin and some of them have even openly lied to their partners about removing all their make up. I know – craziness.
This is depressing on so many levels. I remember the first time I took my makeup off in front of my husband when we were dating…yes, I was a little self-conscious. It’s probably natural. But if a woman is close enough to a man that she’s sharing a bed with him on a regular basis, she should be ok with showing him her un-made-up face. It really speaks to the pressure women feel to look perfect at all times. I once saw a fascinating video where a teen girl laments this double standard. Her dream is to be a doctor, but she says it often feels to her like women aren’t really considered successful unless they’re both accomplished in their fields and hot. It’s not news that women are valued for their looks in a way that’s shallow and unrealistic. It is eye-opening, though, to see the extent to which the pressure women feel is finding its way into the most private of moments. It’s time we start appreciating how awesome real women are – and valuing them for their talents, brains and personalities.