Women Replace The Dressing Table With The Commute

Once restricted to the privacy of the bedroom dressing table, 67 per cent of British women now apply their make-up on their morning commute by public transport, according to new research.

It seems the taboo of applying make-up in public has been banished. For most women nowadays, the commute means blusher not blushes.

With the average journey to work taking 45 minutes, it leaves ample time for British women to cover up blemishes, lengthen eyelashes, powder their noses and apply lipstick.

The research by high street retailer, Debenhams, found that 67 per cent of women regularly apply all their make-up on public transport and a staggering 89 per cent of women often ‘touch up’ their make-up whilst travelling.

Lipstick was the most applied cosmetic on a journey, with pressed powder and blusher following suit. Eyeliner was deemed the most difficult product, with only 33 per cent of women attempting to apply it whilst on the move due to the steady hand needed to get an accurate result.

Unsurprisingly, 75 per cent of women reported a cosmetic mishap thanks to sudden traffic stops, being jostled on a packed train or bus and having to juggle holding cosmetics and a mirror.

Loose powders were a no-go for women on the move with 76 per cent of women saying they deliberately avoided them due to the mess they could make. Two-in-one products such as palettes and lip/cheek stains however were cited as perfect for the commute due to their space and time saving nature.

Ruth Attridge, spokesperson for Debenhams said: "Make up application is now a frequent sight during the weekday rush hour. It’s blusher, not blushes these days.

"Women told us that it comes down to saving time in the mornings and with the UK’s commute now the longest in Europe, a full face of makeup is easily achievable between King’s Cross and Embankment."

Etiquette Expert and author of Ultimate Guide to Party Planning and Etiquette, Liz Brewer commented: "A quick dab of powder or discretely reapplying lipstick is acceptable, however, to put on all your make-up in public is as bad as eating in the street. Some things should be kept behind closed doors.

"Make up should always be used to enhance your features - creating some magic in the transformation. It would seem senseless to reveal your beauty secrets to all and sundry."

A morning makeup routine on the move is most popular amongst women in their thirties, commonly balancing the demands of work, family life and socialising.

Research into cosmetic purchasing from Debenhams found however that it was women in their twenties who most often applied makeup on the evening journey as they ventured out for drinks after work.

Attridge continued: "A tube spruce seems to be a good use of the time for busy professional women.

"However, we’d advise avoid spritzing fragrance, plucking your eyebrows or filing your nails on the commute for the comfort of your fellow travellers."

(GK)