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public primping

Putting on makeup on public transport - yay or nay?

The one piece of public transport etiquette we can’t get to the bottom of.

DO YOU REGULARLY apply your makeup on public transport? You’re at risk of eye injury, say optometrists.

According to the UK Independent, Dr Susan Blakeney has urged women to stop applying makeup on public transport, because a “sudden jolt” may cause them to scratch their corneas.

#comutergirl Instagram / cluglife Instagram / cluglife / cluglife

Putting on makeup on public transport is maybe one of the last etiquette issues that still truly divides us – you either think it’s completely OK, or abhor it.

According to Debrett’s, the British etiquette publication, you should completely avoid applying makeup on public transport – but not for the reason you’d think:

Applying makeup on public transport can jeopardise that all-important first impression and make you appear disorganised.

Well, OK… But there’s also the rather important fact of you upsetting your fellow commuters with your ministrations.

But women obviously still do it (just look at Drew Barrymore at it on the subway in the picture below).

Concealing on the subway! With a @flowerbeauty tester roller ball concealer that comes out January 2015 @walmart #commuterbeauty Instagram / drewbarrymore Instagram / drewbarrymore / drewbarrymore

Beauty writer Sali Hughes has defended the practice, but says she has a few rules she always follows whenever she primps on the train:

Nothing that involves shedding – hair brushing, filing, tweezing, powder puffing – is forgivable, and nothing smelly like nail polish or perfume… But some simple, discreet makeup application – why not?

Most of the comments on this thread from Irish beauty website Beaut.ie appear to agree with her – and it seems fair enough, doesn’t it?

“If you’re irrationally offended by [people putting on makeup], I say don’t look,” Hughes adds.

Over to you guys – is it ever acceptable to put on makeup on public transport?


Poll Results:

Only small things like lipstick and powder (1109)
Yes, do what you need to do (815)
Nope, never (514)

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