So this lady sits down, and then starts rummaging through her rucksack and pulls out her makeup bag. She then proceeded to give herself a full facial makeover before my very eyes. I tried not to stare, so would glance away every few seconds, but she had me truly transfixed from start to finish – I even picked up new application tips from her!
I loved how I recognized every single product she pulled out of her bag. Out came Benefit Hoola, No 7 Skin Illuminator, a Lancome mascara.. I was in my friggin element. It was like a live beauty You Tube tutorial live on the Northern Line!
She even made me want to try those Max Factor Smoky Eyeshadows – she was using 2 Smoky Haze. I amused myself further by trying to guess where she was going and who she was going to meet – look, I have a 30 min tube journey, I had to entertain myself somehow!
By the time she stepped off at London Bridge, she looked gorgeous – yet had still maintained a really natural look despite slapping on what seemed like an endless stream of products. I wanted to get up out of my seat and give her a standing ovation! Not only because she looked flippin’ gorgeous, but also because I would just never ever have the guts to do that – not in a packed tube carriage. Oh no!
I hate the idea of everybody staring in my face. The nearest I get to ‘touching up’ in public are in the bathrooms at work or in a restaurant – even then I’m slightly embarrassed when somebody walks in. If I’m sat on a half empty bus, then maybe ..but I just don’t have the guts to start from scratch as she did and just go for it. Foundation, concealer, mascara, liner, eye shadow, blusher – EVERYTHING!!
Do you ever do your makeup in public?
Guest blog submitted by Vex in the City
guest
I usually apply all my makeup at home, or the in the bathroom at work. (A few occasions, I put it on in my car.) Whenever I am out, and I have my makeup on already, the only makeup product I have with me is lipgloss/lipstick. I do not apply it at my desk or the dinner table at the restaurant–only in the restroom.
With that being said, I do like to watch people apply their makeup though. It’s interesting to see their technique, the products they use.
guest
No. I try and wake up early or do it in the bathroom at work.
magnolia / 1369 posts
Yea I feel very uncomfortable bringing attention to myself, especially when it comes to my looks so I can’t apply make up in public. The closest I get is putting it on in a bathroom at school or (much rarer) when I’m stopped at a red light (though thats annoying because I can never finish a step at a time).
rose / 834 posts
@brittneyeileeen@twitter - Maybe they’re not putting it on for the sake of looking good for everyone, rather for just select people.
OP: I know when I get off work, I sometimes have about 45-60 mins of driving to get to class, mostly sitting in stand-still traffic. If I were on the rail, where it’s certainly safer to apply makeup, I’d definitely at least use my makeup removing cloths and re-apply my foundation. I always feel disgustingly shiny after work, and reapplying a matte layer makes me feel fresh and confident.
rose / 903 posts
I sometimes am in a hurry and will put on foundation or mascara in the car at a red light, but even then I feel weird knowing that people could be watching. I hate putting on makeup in public, it makes me feel so image-obsessed -l ike how I look is SO important that I need to put on makeup NOW.
sunflower / 447 posts
I’ve put on powder and lip gloss on the bus before – it’s not a big deal, though I can understand being reluctant to do the whole routine on public transport – can be uncomfortable. If nothing else, I always try to moisturise and put on mascara before I leave my house. Face power and lip gloss can be put on anywhere.
guest
I take the early train (5:30 am) so I normally do my make up in an almost empty train (very few people, most of which are reading or sleeping). It’s no big deal for me, but if I am going all out (evening make up), then I normally do that in bathroom or in private since I suck at applying eye make up XP
orchid / 237 posts
Yeah, I put mine on at my desk at work all the time. I just can’t seem to make myself wake up early just to put on makeup. It’s so much easier to put it on at work.
daisy / 597 posts
sometimes, yes.
sunflower / 286 posts
hm when i was in high school sometimes i would touch up my foundation in class, but only in classes where we did nothing and everyone was minding their own business doing whatever they want. i don’t think i’d apply makeup in public in college. i’d touch up in the bathroom. BUT if it’s on the bus where you know no one i don’t see why not.
guest
I’ve had. But for some reason if someone is doing their makeup in front of me, I’d probably feel more uncomfortable than the said person.
guest
I wouldn’t do this just because I make the time to do it before I leave, but I don’t see what’s wrong with it.
guest
The only thing I’ll do is put on chapstick, and that’s only if my lips are hella chapped.
guest
If I wore makeup, I wouldn’t do it in public, people don’t need to know exactly what I use.
guest
I don’t apply makeup in public unless its at school, I’m an acting student so its somewhat necessary at times, but I don’t see anything wrong with it.
guest
I don’t cuz I think it’s wierd…
guest
No, but then, I rarely wear makeup at all, lol.
guest
I apply my full make-up at home. And if I need touch-ups, I excuse myself to the bathroom.
guest
I would try very hard to avoid it, I do not like people watching me, especially a routine like that. But I don’t judge those who do either, i mean… they have a long ride and maybe got out of work late for a date or meeting up with some friends? Makes sense to use that time.
guest
I know some girls who touch up their make up right before class starts in the classroom. I’m assuming it just a touch up, they might be applying it for the first time, but that seems silly to me.
guest
I apply lip gloss right before most of my classes while I’m waiting for the professor, but that’s about it. Occasionally, I’ll whip out some power to blot my t-zone with. And if I’m going somewhere after class with a special someone or just want to look a little more done-up, I’ll apply a few more coats of mascara.
But if you’re on the Tube for 30 min, why not?? I would. I work at a cosmetics store, so I always go to work bare-faced and just do my entire makeup routine there with the testers, sanitizing them of course. People of course watch, not realizing I’m an employee, but it’s no bother.