When I logged in to Windows Live this morning, this headline caught my eye: “Six Beauty Habits Men Wish You’d Skip”. Intriguing enough, right? I guess I set my expectations a little too high, maybe I was hoping this would be the holy grail to the inner workings of the male mind, but this article completely contradicts almost all I know about men.
Read it for yourself. It’s a pretty short read, I promise.
So, now that you’ve read that riveting article, hear my rebuttal.
All of these things; anti-aging cures, padded bras, heels, girdles, smooth legs and make up, are all the aspects that help compose the attractive features men seek in their “dream woman” (and by “dream woman” I mean unrealistic celebrity photos). Now, I’ll be honest, I’m not a user of some of these elements, but for the most part, I am a full-on participant.
And why? Because my entire these things have been ingrained in my brain. Watch out for the sun, it will give you wrinkles and make you look haggard. Wear a girdle to “smooth out” the lumps. Wear high heels to tone up your legs and make them look longer. Use make up to enhance your natural beauty. And the one that sticks with most women, no man wants to marry a haggard, dimply, plain woman.
Is that the truth, gentlemen?
You want someone that looks youthful, hot and has aged gracefully! If I’m wrong, please correct me, but I don’t think I am based on a conversation I had earlier this week.
I was having drinks with two men that I deeply respect, and we were talking about Jennifer Aniston. I think she is beautiful and looks fantastic regardless of the fact that she is 40, but both of these guys said that she isn’t as attractive as she was during her days on the set of Friends. Say what? (If either of you are reading this, thanks for proving my point.)
When women start showing signs of aging, it’s like the beginning of the end for us. Sure little laugh lines are adorable when I’m 24, but you won’t think that when I’m 80 and looking like a prune! Like the guys said the other night, “you have to trade up for a newer model”. Now, these two guys know me well enough and my reactions to things like this, so they were obviously trying to ruffle my feathers (and it worked), so I know that’s not how they (or other good men) feel, but it’s true for a lot of men. Like I was told the other day, that’s why places like Chill (this bar that a lot of Cougars and older men hang out at) exist.
So, Jake living the single guy lifestyle in New York City, you can say that women look the most beautiful when we first wake up (no make up, padded bras or high heels, mind you), but the actions and comments of most men (including yourself) beg to differ. Sure, seeing a woman in her natural element is sexy, however, if I went to your company Christmas party looking all frumpy and dumpy, you would probably stop bringing me. I’m just saying that almost all men want someone they can show off. Guys want to hear, “Dude, your chick is hot” or whatever it is men say to one another. It’s a macho thing, and I respect that. It’s one of the reasons that I, and almost all other women, employ the beauty tactics you mentioned in your article.
We want to look good so that you will desire us. So that you will give us compliments and reassure our self doubts about looking fat in our new dress. Like Deacon Leroy said at my cousin’s wedding, women need affection. We need to know that our man desires us and loves us everyday of our lives. Because we fear that at some point you’re going to trade us in for a newer model.
Now guys, I would like to give you a fair chance to weigh in and tell me your thoughts. Am I wrong or am I right?
To all of the beautiful women in my life, I’ve seen you all without your make up and in your jammies, and I can say that you are beautiful without all the beauty extras. But throwing on a bra, running the mascara wand over your eyelelases and slipping into a cute pair of high heels sure puts you over the top. You are catpivating either way.