Makeup to the Barn: Opinions?

[AmmyByNature]

[QUOTE=tua37516;7683298]
Yes, there are a lot of posts flying back and forth re: SHAME ON THE WOMEN OF OUR NATION FOR BEING JUDGEMENTAL… but hey if you were to stop by someone else’s farm and see a horse being schooled and it had dirty tack and unkempt mane and covered in mud and in general looked like crap-ola you’d certainly assume the worst and judge the heck out of its appearance. So would I. I was always taught to keep my horse as close to local schooling show groomed level at all times. Keep mane pulled, constantly wage war to keep it on the correct side, clean appearance, tidy well cleaned tack, hoof polish, etc. I also wear breeches, a polo, a belt, and black half chaps/paddock boots in the event that I should EVER have to meet someone.

So, therefore, by that logic, I usually prefer to be in minimal makeup. Because like job interviews, a pre planned orderly appearance says something about how you view yourself and what you are doing. I tend to get acne and acne scars (I blame corporate job stress ) so it not only makes me look less tired and hideous, but keeps me from getting awful sunburn. I also go with a brown eyeliner and brown mascara only on the top lids. If I am coming from the corporate office I may have eyeshadow and blush on, but not if I am coming from home. My horse is for sale and sometimes I ride for my trainer. I take the sport seriously so I try to look the part.[/QUOTE]

Whoa whoa whoa there.

Not wearing makeup is NOTHING like riding a muddy horse in dirty tack. A clean face is never inappropriate unless you’re working in something out of The Devil Wears Prada.

And “looking the part” in h/j has nothing to do with makeup. Saddleseat showing, sure. Western showing, I think yes (no personal experience there). I believe that it’s part of their showing culture. But there is NOTHING about wearing makeup for h/j showing or riding at the barn that makes me look the part for riding my horse.

I don’t care if people wear makeup or not, but if one chooses not to and then to be accused of not taking the sport seriously, or compared to someone riding an ungroomed horse is going a bit too far I think.

[findeight]

Keep in mind not everybody has the barn in the back yard and some barns are fancier and more social then others, some even suggest proper dress for clients (speaking of which we have not seen the "dress code’ thread yet this summer).

One persons barn may be quite informal hanging with barnmates of similar ages all day who pitch in sweeping aisles or cleaning stalls. Another’s barn might be a highly structured full service outfit with ladies who lunch or happy hour ( or both) after their lessons. Tell you, been in both and they are both fun and both barns. But there’s not much similarity in how you turn yourself out between cleaning stalls or the Happy Hour lesson.

Everybody is different, everybody has different reasons for being at the barn, every barn is different yet we now have four pages on this nonsense.

[ybiaw]

[QUOTE=findeight;7683411]
(speaking of which we have not seen the "dress code’ thread yet this summer).[/QUOTE]

SHH DON’T SAY THAT OUT LOUD YOU’LL SUMMON IT.

[french_fry]

[QUOTE=ybiaw;7683416]
SHH DON’T SAY THAT OUT LOUD YOU’LL SUMMON IT.[/QUOTE]

But I’ve been waiting very patiently all summer for a dress code thread!

[AmmyByNature]

[QUOTE=french fry;7683424]
But I’ve been waiting very patiently all summer for a dress code thread![/QUOTE]

Is this where someone is supposed to whip out this example of proper equestrian attire?

http://www.yourhorse.co.uk/upload/22798/images/Katie%20model.jpg

[bt1]

I LOOOFFFFFFFF this thread…hysterical…so here is my 2 cent contribution:
If I have make up on from work as a financial planner sure it stays on for the barn(there is about a 30% chance i have time to swipe on some eye and lip color on any given work day, up that to 80% if meeting with a new client). If I am just going to the barn no make up **unless and of course if there is an available now/potentially available somewhat attractive talented vet or farrier expected to visit, which of course requires a look that is eye catching but not too obvious effort.

That said I do think a tinted moisturizer w SPF is a good idea to wear to the barn and anyone who wants to add some color on top more power to ya, and I sell Mary Kay so PM me. Now the one look that is NEVER EVER acceptable at the barn is the “I was out all night into the morning and haven’t touched up my smudged smeared sticky face in 12 hours” ha ha…no make up fine, fresh make up fine, “expired” make up NOT OK

[ybiaw]

[QUOTE=AmmyByNature;7683432]
Is this where someone is supposed to whip out this example of proper equestrian attire?

http://www.yourhorse.co.uk/upload/22798/images/Katie%20model.jpg[/QUOTE]

I’m not even sorry, but if I had a body like that I’d totally rock the hell out of that outfit 24/7.

[findeight]

[QUOTE=AmmyByNature;7683432]
Is this where someone is supposed to whip out this example of proper equestrian attire?

http://www.yourhorse.co.uk/upload/22798/images/Katie%20model.jpg[/QUOTE]

Now, now, that belongs on the Pony Finals thread as an example of a Pony Mom turn out. This one is doing a fine job of holding the lead rope until the groom gets there.

[hunter51]

Honestly, I don’t even notice whether or not other people wear makeup at the barn unless they come in with heavy Egyptian Pharaoh-style eyeliner or something… I say do what makes you feel most comfortable!!!

[Dewey]

People are getting awfully touchy. OP did specifically request “honest opinions” and said, “I want to hear it all!”

So, we’re hearing it. People have opinions–no surprise there.

[SmartAlex]

So those of you wearing tinted moisturizer, what are you using?

I never leave the house (heck I don’t even leave the bathroom in the a.m.) without regular Oil of Olay spf 15 and it has served me very well as people often tell me that I have a lovely young complexion. But some light scarring from a bout with shingles has me looking for a good tinted moisturizer. OoO Total Effects gave me acne almost instantly. It’s so heavy.

[SmartAlex]

So those of you wearing tinted moisturizer, what are you using?

I never leave the house (heck I don’t even leave the bathroom in the a.m.) without regular Oil of Olay spf 15 and it has served me very well as people often tell me that I have a lovely young complexion. But some light scarring from a bout with shingles has me looking for a good tinted moisturizer. OoO Total Effects gave me acne almost instantly. It’s so heavy.

[inca]

I would think Oil of Olay has a tinted moisturizer but maybe not. I use one made by Aveeno.

[SillyHorse]

[QUOTE=Dewey;7683462]
People are getting awfully touchy. OP did specifically request “honest opinions” and said, “I want to hear it all!”

So, we’re hearing it. People have opinions–no surprise there.[/QUOTE]

Someone’s opinion about someone else wearing makeup to the barn is no more than mean-girl gossip.

[GoneAway]

[QUOTE=tua37516;7683298]
Yes, there are a lot of posts flying back and forth re: SHAME ON THE WOMEN OF OUR NATION FOR BEING JUDGEMENTAL… but hey if you were to stop by someone else’s farm and see a horse being schooled and it had dirty tack and unkempt mane and covered in mud and in general looked like crap-ola you’d certainly assume the worst and judge the heck out of its appearance. So would I. I was always taught to keep my horse as close to local schooling show groomed level at all times. Keep mane pulled, constantly wage war to keep it on the correct side, clean appearance, tidy well cleaned tack, hoof polish, etc. I also wear breeches, a polo, a belt, and black half chaps/paddock boots in the event that I should EVER have to meet someone.

So, therefore, by that logic, I usually prefer to be in minimal makeup. Because like job interviews, a pre planned orderly appearance says something about how you view yourself and what you are doing. I tend to get acne and acne scars (I blame corporate job stress ) so it not only makes me look less tired and hideous, but keeps me from getting awful sunburn. I also go with a brown eyeliner and brown mascara only on the top lids. If I am coming from the corporate office I may have eyeshadow and blush on, but not if I am coming from home. My horse is for sale and sometimes I ride for my trainer. I take the sport seriously so I try to look the part.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=AmmyByNature;7683407]Whoa whoa whoa there.

Not wearing makeup is NOTHING like riding a muddy horse in dirty tack. A clean face is never inappropriate unless you’re working in something out of The Devil Wears Prada.

And “looking the part” in h/j has nothing to do with makeup. Saddleseat showing, sure. Western showing, I think yes (no personal experience there). I believe that it’s part of their showing culture. But there is NOTHING about wearing makeup for h/j showing or riding at the barn that makes me look the part for riding my horse.

I don’t care if people wear makeup or not, but if one chooses not to and then to be accused of not taking the sport seriously, or compared to someone riding an ungroomed horse is going a bit too far I think.[/QUOTE]

I agree with AmmyByNature on this one: comparing someone who doesn’t wear makeup to a dirty, unkempt horse or equipment is too far of a leap. If I were looking at your horse to buy, then I really don’t care what’s on your face or not, as long as you look presentable and the horse is well kept. Same thing for pros. So if makeup is part of your thing, great, but it’s not a prerequisite for gaining someone’s respect as a horse person. I also do the GM clinic attire for my riding, mainly because those were the standards I grew up with and am accustomed to, but that doesn’t mean I look down on people who do their day-to-day riding in chaps, or tank tops, or t-shirts and think of them as not “looking the part” or not taking their riding seriously. Wear makeup…don’t wear makeup…it has zero effect on anybody else but yourself.

A better comparison to an ungroomed or muddy horse with crappy tack would be a rider who has horse sh*t in her hair and is also covered in mud, whose chaps are falling apart. Not a bare face on someone who is otherwise perfectly respectable in appearance.

[Dee-Vee]

Here’s a question for all y’all…what do you expect of your coach in her grooming when she comes to give you a lesson or coaches you at an event?

[findeight]

[QUOTE=Dee-Vee;7683537]
Here’s a question for all y’all…what do you expect of your coach in her grooming when she comes to give you a lesson or coaches you at an event?[/QUOTE]

I don’t Event but I expect my coach to be dressed professionally at an H/J show. Mostly clean and neat but most of the ones still riding themselves wore the breeches and boots all day. Same thing with lessons, clean and neat jeans, nice not too short shorts, nice top or breeches and boots.

Used to board across from some eventing barns, they dressed the same way we did. So did the trainers/coaches.

[Pancakes]

Wow, I didn’t know there were so many judgmental people out there, one way or the other.

I wear makeup to the barn. I wear makeup everywhere. I wear waterproof, SPF-30, moisturizing CC cream (Peter Thomas Roth) with mineral powder (Bare Minerals), coverup as needed, blush, neutral eye shadow, and waterproof mascara (Blinc volumizing or Buxom waterproof).

I had horrible acne as a teenager and young adult and makeup is a security blanket to me. It has SPF which has helped me protect my skin and prevented premature aging. Yes, I’m insecure. So sue me.

I feel pretty and more confident when I wear it. If it wears off when I ride and sweat, so be it. I don’t get what the deal is.

I honestly don’t pay attention to what other people wear on their face and why they do. It’s not my business. Clothing is one thing, personal choices with how you do your face or hair to the barn is another thing.

[soloudinhere]

[QUOTE=SmartAlex;7683495]
So those of you wearing tinted moisturizer, what are you using?

I never leave the house (heck I don’t even leave the bathroom in the a.m.) without regular Oil of Olay spf 15 and it has served me very well as people often tell me that I have a lovely young complexion. But some light scarring from a bout with shingles has me looking for a good tinted moisturizer. OoO Total Effects gave me acne almost instantly. It’s so heavy.[/QUOTE]

Kiehl’s BB cream is amazing stuff.
http://www.kiehls.com/BB-Cream-Actively-Correcting-and-Beautifying-with-SPF-50-PA/1201,default,pd.html

[Dee-Vee]

[QUOTE=findeight;7683567]
I don’t Event but I expect my coach to be dressed professionally at an H/J show…Used to board across from some eventing barns, they dressed the same way we did. So did the trainers/coaches.[/QUOTE]

My bad…I meant the term “event” in a looser context meaning…a show, a clinic…any kind of horse-related event.

Yes, I expect my coach to always look clean, neat and professional. I do the same for her when she comes to coach me. Do we wear make-up…yes…as part of polished professional presentation.

Are we insecure…not really. Way too over the hill for that, but as part of good grooming the hair is done (even though it will be crushed under helmet head) and little bit of make up is applied even though it most likely will be sweated off. And when the work is done…we clean up: wipe the boots, wipe the faces, brush out the helmet head, and deal with horse goobers.