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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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23 minutes

Last on

Mon 2 Sep 2019 08:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Mon 26 Aug 2019 12:32GMT
  • Mon 26 Aug 2019 17:06GMT
  • Mon 26 Aug 2019 21:06GMT
  • Tue 27 Aug 2019 01:32GMT
  • Mon 2 Sep 2019 08:06GMT

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