BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

The Why Factor

Documentaries

Factual

The Why Factor  logo

The extraordinary and hidden histories behind everyday objects and actions

The Why Factor: Why do we (still) wear make-up?

Why do we (still) wear makeup?

26/08/2019 GMT

Why do we (still) wear make-up?

BBC World Service - The Why Factor, Why do we (still) wear make-up?

What’s the power of make-up? Why can't many of us leave the house without it?

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)

BBC World Service

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Why Factor

Why do we (still) wear make-up?

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

About BBC World Service