What don't you "need"?

[Gruntina]

Originally Posted by pearlieq

Even if it were "that way", I don't have to accept or perpetuate it!

I've gotten every job I've ever had without makeup, and every promotion and commendation thereafter.

Substance and talent are so much more important that looks. Plus, would you really want to work somewhere that would actually use makeup as a criteria for judgment? Can you imagine what those kind of people must be like to work with every day?

I don't see wearing makeup as paying attention to details. I am clean, my hair is neat, and I'm dressed appropriately in clothes that are coordinated and well cared-for. I think that demonstrates plenty of attention to detail and respect for the gravity of the situation.

Also, I wouldn't patronise a business that gave me lackluster service. If you were kept waiting and ignored, why would "Gee, I guess I should highlight my hair and wear more makeup" come to mind?

Wouldn't "Gee, guess I should find somewhere else to spend my money" be a more logical conclusion?

Pearlieq - I do see your point totally and I absolutely agree that your skills far outweigh looks. I was just speaking from my experiences only and I myself notice the difference. I do have a BA degree and skills I acquired at a fast pace ever changing technology engineering company. I just notice when I was more detailed with my looks (not the overly painted face you might have in mind kind of way) I didn't have to work as hard with the interviews and often got hired on the spot and getting customers aspect as I did without the make-up and etc. (I am sure locations make a difference as I live in the SF area). Maintaining and improving job status is all on your skills which is very important. For me, the look was not the driving force of my work but it sure made things easier for me to get started on things. There are ways to get beauty products without spending a fortune on.

[PrincessPerky]

Media induced 'needs' for baby:

sleep containers.....ok so a place for baby to sleep is important, but not a bassenett and a cradle, and a crib, and a pack in play, and and and

baby towels, and washclothes, don't get me wrong I have several and I like them, but I once thought they were important enough to cram inmy already crammed car to take on vacation..hello use a regular towel! (I do now)

Baby car seat cover....use a blanket!

pacifiers, do you want to pacify your baby? or do you want to find the trouble and fix it? If you really can't find the trouble, well fine you will need a break from just comforting them.

baby bowls, I'll admit they are cute, but they are just a plastic bowl, baby doesn't mind if you use tupperware, and in fact it is easier to pop a lid on .

I am sure there is more......

[mountainmist]

I was paging through the ad circular at the pet store, and I am absolutely certain that I do NOT need to purchase a Halloween costume for my pets.

A Halloween costume for a dog???

I've also noticed something troubling - on a few occasions we've decided to buy Top-Of-The-Line something or another, usually the latest high tech something or another - do ALL the research and the price comparisons, etc., and on the occasions we've haven't purchased that SPECIAL item, well, invariably the next season, whatever had previously caught our eye, is entirely obsolete, and some newer "better" version is being pushed.

Really, the electronic & computer retailers ALL are simply teaching me ONE thing by their marketing prices, and that is to NOT want the latest item, no matter how appealing, and simply to wait for a year when all those items that looked SO good the previous year have their prices slashed and are appearing on Ebay and even in garage sales.

I have difficulty even replacing radios or clocks with a SERIOUS purchase, and so just run over to one of the dollar stores and pick up something cheap -- all the expensive well made items have such a great amount of planned obsolescence that it disgusts me.

And then I feel guilty because who knows how much of the dollar store and cut price walmart stuff is manufactured in prisons, or other slave labor conditions.

[mountainmist]

I was paging through the ad circular at the pet store, and I am absolutely certain that I do NOT need to purchase a Halloween costume for my pets.

A Halloween costume for a dog???

I've also noticed something troubling - on a few occasions we've decided to buy Top-Of-The-Line something or another, usually the latest high tech something or another - do ALL the research and the price comparisons, etc., and on the occasions we've haven't purchased that SPECIAL item, well, invariably the next season, whatever had previously caught our eye, is entirely obsolete, and some newer "better" version is being pushed.

Really, the electronic & computer retailers ALL are simply teaching me ONE thing by their marketing prices, and that is to NOT want the latest item, no matter how appealing, and simply to wait for a year when all those items that looked SO good the previous year have their prices slashed and are appearing on Ebay and even in garage sales.

I have difficulty even replacing radios or clocks with a SERIOUS purchase, and so just run over to one of the dollar stores and pick up something cheap -- all the expensive well made items have such a great amount of planned obsolescence that it disgusts me.

And then I feel guilty because who knows how much of the dollar store and cut price walmart stuff is manufactured in prisons, or other slave labor conditions.

[mountainmist]

Originally Posted by Gruntina

Pearlieq - I do see your point totally and I absolutely agree that your skills far outweigh looks. I was just speaking from my experiences only and I myself notice the difference. I do have a BA degree and skills I acquired at a fast pace ever changing technology engineering company. I just notice when I was more detailed with my looks (not the overly painted face you might have in mind kind of way) I didn't have to work as hard with the interviews and often got hired on the spot and getting customers aspect as I did without the make-up and etc. (I am sure locations make a difference as I live in the SF area). Maintaining and improving job status is all on your skills which is very important. For me, the look was not the driving force of my work but it sure made things easier for me to get started on things. There are ways to get beauty products without spending a fortune on.

I agree with you about the makeup. Most people try to dress very nicely for any job interview, and for a majority of women that includes applying makeup. And especially in the corporate world, not wearing makeup is ALMOST, but not quite, akin to walking into the interview room in a pair of unpolished shoes or even tennis shoes.

It will be GLARYINGLY noticeable, it will stand out like a sore thumb because it simply is not the 'norm' in lots & lots & lots of job environments.

However, that said, I seriously believe that EYE CONTACT is far more important than eye makeup, lol.... but plenty of personel departments would vehemently disagree.

[mountainmist]

Originally Posted by Gruntina

Pearlieq - I do see your point totally and I absolutely agree that your skills far outweigh looks. I was just speaking from my experiences only and I myself notice the difference. I do have a BA degree and skills I acquired at a fast pace ever changing technology engineering company. I just notice when I was more detailed with my looks (not the overly painted face you might have in mind kind of way) I didn't have to work as hard with the interviews and often got hired on the spot and getting customers aspect as I did without the make-up and etc. (I am sure locations make a difference as I live in the SF area). Maintaining and improving job status is all on your skills which is very important. For me, the look was not the driving force of my work but it sure made things easier for me to get started on things. There are ways to get beauty products without spending a fortune on.

I agree with you about the makeup. Most people try to dress very nicely for any job interview, and for a majority of women that includes applying makeup. And especially in the corporate world, not wearing makeup is ALMOST, but not quite, akin to walking into the interview room in a pair of unpolished shoes or even tennis shoes.

It will be GLARYINGLY noticeable, it will stand out like a sore thumb because it simply is not the 'norm' in lots & lots & lots of job environments.

However, that said, I seriously believe that EYE CONTACT is far more important than eye makeup, lol.... but plenty of personel departments would vehemently disagree.

[rob62521]

Originally Posted by pearlieq

I'm a good, intelligent, accomplished woman with a wonderful spouse, family, and friends and a very nice life. What do I have to prove to anyone?

You sound very happy and content -- why change because the advertisers and society say you should? They make people feel they aren't as good as they could be when we need to be satisfied with what we have and realize everything else is a luxury. You are a smart cookie!

[Ima saver]

I don't need plastic surgery or liposuction! I look like I look!

I don't need makeup. The only time I bought one is to cover my acne but that didn't work. I don't need a lot of clothes, why bother to buy them when you'll get tired of them in a few months or a year. I don't need to buy every little things that catch my eyes, I'm fine with the things I have.

All I need is a few nice clothes, food, lotions for my bad skin (Trust me, If I don't put lotions on my face, my skin will get worse than now so it's a must for me), digital camera, shampoos, music, education and money for travel. These are the things I personally need to make my day.

[Mathew Green]

Originally Posted by Ima saver

I don't need plastic surgery or liposuction! I look like I look!

I feel the same way. But of course I look like a movie star!

[Gruntina]

I think plastic surgery or liposuction is extreme if its all for beauty only reason. For me, make-up to go with my work apparel, just consist of mascara and a touch of lip-gloss (I also use the same lip-gloss as blush) is all I need. You can by the lip gloss for a buck (Wet-n-Wild). I opt to pay about 5 dollars for the mascara but only need to every 6 months. I personally think the lip-gloss give a touch of color to warm up my face and it makes me feel more put together when I am on the job. On the weekends or after work, I am fine with or without make-up.

If plastic surgery was for reasons such as burns or diseases or anything, I believe that can be helpful for the person to feel better about themselves.

[vishenda]

materials things can never make us feel complete and happy all the time..

[tinapbeana]

well, depends on 'need'. all i actually need is food, shelter, and water and i could subsist quite easily. however, i wouldn't have the winning, charming personality made possible by creature comforts such as coffee, chocolate, tobacco, and the internet!

and a comment about cosmetics/job interviews/etc: i am also a 'normally no makeup' kind of girl. i either save it for a special occasion or for days when i'm feeling like *crap* and would rather not hear 'wow you look like you feel horrible' all day long. but, job job interviews/meeting with a client/that sort of thing, i have my own personal spin on it: i call it war paint. it puts me in a great frame of mind for a job interview, it becomes part of the ritual where i can focus and imagine myself succeeding.

and the best makeup tip of all: "a good makeup job looks like you're not wearing any at all..."

[LuxLiving]

Okay, who wrote the law that you HAVE TO wear underwear???? I'd like to read the legal citation.

I don't NEED fundyundies thank you vera much! However the kids and I had some wonderful underwear parties when they were little. We wore (yes clean) funderwear on our heads as we celebrated life!

So - take that - all you tightywhities!