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)
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Is drag make-up the influence for the 'Instagram look'?
Duration: 01:55
Broadcasts
- Mon 26 Aug 2019 12:32GMTBBC World Service except News Internet
- Mon 26 Aug 2019 17:06GMTBBC World Service Australasia
- Mon 26 Aug 2019 21:06GMTBBC World Service
- Tue 27 Aug 2019 01:32GMTBBC World Service
- Mon 2 Sep 2019 08:06GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa & East Asia only
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Why do we look the way we do?
Tattoos, trainers, jeans, hair, ties ... why?
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The Why Factor
The extraordinary and hidden histories behind everyday objects and actions
