Make-up
What does wearing make-up mean to you? Do you give make-up as a gift? What do you think when you see a man wearing make-up?
Vocabulary
  • To apply (verb) - to spread or rub a substance such as cream or paint on a surface.
  • Pore (noun) - a very small hole in the skin of people or other animals, or a similar hole on the surface of plants or rocks.
  • Concealer (noun) - a type of make-up used to hide spots or marks on the skin.
  • To enhance (verb) - to improve the quality, amount, or strength of something.
  • Attribute (noun) - a quality or characteristic that someone or something has.
  • To be au fait with smth - to be familiar with or know about something.
  • Cosmetics (plural noun) - substances put on the face or body that are intended to improve its appearance or quality.
  • Overblown (adj.) - made to seem more impressive or important than is the case; exaggerated or pretentious.
  • Persona (noun) - the aspect of someone's character that is presented to or perceived by others.
  • To get smth out of smth (phrasal verb) - to obtain something, esp. a good feeling, by doing something.
Get exclusive episodes on IELTS Speaking parts 1, 2, and 3
Get exclusive episodes on IELTS Speaking parts 1, 2, and 3
Questions and answers
M: Rory, do you wear make-up?

R: Well, no, I don't think it's very common for men. Actually, the first last and only time I've ever worn makeup was about 15 years ago when I did some modeling for a friend. And that was the strangest experience. The makeup that used felt like it was like, like wall paint being applied to my face. You could feel it like filling the pores. It wasn't very nice.

M: What does wearing make-up mean to you?

R: Well, I'm not quite sure what you mean. If we're talking about what it involves. Then we could talk about doing your eyelashes applying lipstick, wearing concealer. If you're talking about who or what it's for, I think it's mostly about enhancing female attributes, especially on the face, though that's probably very Western way of seeing it, I suppose.

M: Do you give make-up as a gift?

R: Oh, I think I have a very long time ago. But it's not something I usually buy since I'm not exactly au fait with cosmetics. I'm much better at books or jewelry.

M: What do you think when you see a man wearing make-up?

R: Well, I imagine it depends on the kind. A lot of actors wear make-up and it's quite important for how they work with a camera as I understand it. And then sometimes male actors and pantomimes wear overblown amounts of it for a comedic effect. And I think some drag performers wear women's make-up as part of their personas for similar reasons.

M: What about a woman? If a woman wears make-up, what do you think?

R: Well, I was talking about this with one of my friends the other day, actually, and like people tend to notice more if women don't wear make-up than if they do. Apparently women look really different without their make-up. And I've seen a lot of my female friends without make-up, and they do look like a lot different in some cases.

M: Do you think too much make-up on a woman, is it okay? On the woman's face, let's say.
R: Well, it's ultimately her choice, isn't it? Like people can do what they like with their bodies, can't they? I suppose if you wear too much make-up, it's not good for your skin is it? And that's a concern. And there's other times when people in my country wear so much fake tan that they look like Oompa Loompas. And that's not good. I just don't think it's a healthy look. I don't really understand what people get out of looking like that. Maybe they see themselves differently, but I don't think it's a good look. That's just my opinion, though. Who cares what I think, it's their face.
Make sure to subscribe to our social media to see some of the “behind the scenes” stuff!

Our Instagram: bit.ly/instagramswi
Our Telegram: bit.ly/telegramswi
Get exclusive episodes on IELTS Speaking parts 1, 2, and 3
Get exclusive episodes on IELTS Speaking parts 1, 2, and 3
Did you like this episode?
Show more
Study with us
PODCOURSES LLP
2ND FLOOR COLLEGE HOUSE 17 KING EDWARDS ROAD, RUISLIP, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM HA4 7AE