Why do we (still) wear make-up?
The average woman uses around twenty products on her face every day. A generation ago that was just eight. What’s the allure of make-up and why are women wearing more than ever?
In the 1970s, second wave feminists declared war on make-up - arguing it oppressed women, distracted them from gaining equality, and forced them to attain a beauty ideal not expected of men. And yet young women today wear more make-up than ever. Women have made gains in employment, education, sexual liberation, so why is it so many of us can’t leave the house without make-up? We explore the power and allure of mak-eup and why it works.
Presented and Produced by Gemma Newby
Editor: Richard Knight
(Photo: Young woman vlogging about beauty products. Credit: Getty Images)
Last on
More episodes
Previous
Clip
-
![]()
Is drag make-up the influence for the 'Instagram look'?
Duration: 01:55
Broadcasts
- Mon 26 Aug 2019 12:32GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service except News Internet
- Mon 26 Aug 2019 17:06GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service Australasia
- Mon 26 Aug 2019 21:06GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service
- Tue 27 Aug 2019 01:32GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service
- Mon 2 Sep 2019 08:06GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service East and Southern Africa & East Asia only
Get the podcast
Subscribe or download individual episodes for free
Why do we look the way we do?
Tattoos, trainers, jeans, hair, ties ... why?
Podcast
-
![]()
The Why Factor
The extraordinary and hidden histories behind everyday objects and actions
