M- While I think that there are many women who prefer/choose not to wear make-up, my guess is that MOST women do wear at least some, especially those women who are out in the working world every day!  I guess that it can be viewed as being similar to other 'accessories' (jewelry, scarves, purses, etc.) in that it highlights and brings attention to a woman's facial features, in much the same way that those other accessories add interest to a woman's outfit. 

I think that it's obviously a personal choice for everyone (there is no "right" or "wrong" answer), and might have a lot to do with whether or not women are exposed to it at an early age, either by watching family members or friends apply make-up, or just by watching TV and/or reading magazines.  

Personally, I wear eye and face make-up, but have NEVER liked the feel of lipstick (or even Chapstick) on my lips!  (BTW, I think that it's disgusting to see lipstick on the rim of drinking glasses and on cloth napkins, so it is a definite NO as far as I'm concerned!  If I were a guy, I would be completely turned off at the thought of kissing someone with all of that goop on her mouth, especially because then it would be transferred/smeared onto my mouth!  Gross!). 

And, as you pointed out, it does take time to apply make-up every day, and then remove it at the end of the day, and those of us who do that will never get any of that time back, or the money that is spent on the products!  But, it just depends on the value that is placed on it; to some, it is well worth the time, effort, and expense.  To others, they would rather spend their time and money in other ways, and that's OK, too!  To each their own!          

Lucy ... LOL about the lipstick!  I totally agree with you!  Maybe I would have been more into makeup if I'd been exposed to it at an early age, but I was never exposed to it.  Period.  If I wanted to learn I realized I had to figure it out on my own, and then I saw the prices of things, and just decided against it.  I figure you can't miss something you've never had!

Melissa.

I usually don't wear any makeup either, only occasionally if I'm feeling unattractive, I have a cheapy eyebrow kit my husband got me from drugstore.com, cost less than $5, I'll darken my eyebrows, curl my eyelashes and I may or may not apply Maybelline mascara.  But just a quick minute of doing those, it really opens my eyes. 

If I had an acne breakout, I'll apply Neutrogena foundation (doesn't make acne worse) IF I'm going to be around people I know; if it's just strangers at the grocery store, who cares?

Finally, for lips, I can't leave home without my two petroleum-free, chemical-free chapsticks...

Kiss My Face SPF 15 lip balm, coconut pineapple scent (http://www.amazon.com/Kiss-My-Face-Pineapple-15-Ounce/dp/B001GIOVUU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1346347716&sr=8-4&keywords=kiss+my+face+organic+lip+balm)

and if I'm going somewhere "fancy," I have Alba Botanica TerraTints SPF 8, in the color "Blaze" (http://www.amazon.com/Alba-Botanica-Terratints-Mineral-15-Ounce/dp/B001ET79T6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346347392&sr=8-1&keywords=alba+terra+tints).

Both are under $4 at Whole Foods Market.

I have never been one to wear JEWELRY. I have had my ears pierced since 6 months of age, and I went through a period of wearing cute earrings from Claire's in my 20s, along with colorful and cute, cheap beaded bracelets, but for almost 10 years now, no earrings, no necklaces, no bracelets, no watch--just my silver engraved wedding ring. I'll wear my engagement ring only if my husband and I are going out, but other than that, I don't like the frills, the extra attention, or the hassle of putting jewelry on and taking it off.

I used to wear earrings all the time, until I developed boils every time I put earrings in (even the real gold ones; allergic to the others).  Every time a boil went away, I'd start wearing them again, and it would get infected again, no matter how much alcohol etc I put on it.  So I let the holes close up.  I was constantly on antibiotics, and enough was enough!

Melissa.