There are many things that differ amongst the people of the world and one of them is certainly make-up or more appropriately the ‘attitude’ to make-up.

I noticed in Madrid that everyone at the hotel reception had make-up on. They seemed to all have prominent eye-liners and lip colours. When I wandered into the city however, the make-up was not that obvious. There was certainly a large number of coloured lips everywhere I went but nothing dramatic except when I went to dance shows or special events. The women at the supermarkets and other receptions also paid attention to their make-up, like those at the hotel.

The only difference I observed between the Spanish and the French in Paris, was that they spoke a different language! Make-up wise, they were very similar but some French women seem to love their eye-shadows too. There were a few vibrant colours but mainly just mild eye-shadow. Nothing extraordinary.

In UK, I think the magic product is mascara. Brits love their mascara (OK and and their lipsticks!). Lip glosses do not make as much appearance as lipsticks but it seems like everyone wears mascara! A few people bother with eye-shadow but it is usually the odd colour and most never dare to mix and match. Keep it simple is the motto I think.

In New York (NYC), woah- screaming make-up! If you saw a girl in NYC (especially the women of colour), it was more like ‘hello eye-shadow’! Very prominent colours up to the brows, screaming cheeks and kiss-me-now lips. Almost everyone had make-up on. I assumed this had to be a NYC thing until I visited LA. NYC make-up is micro compared to LA style. There should be a daily lottery in LA for make-up. No one is afraid to experiment. Think of the oddest combination and someone has it on.

However, none of these beat the madness of make-up in Nigeria. It is something like a crime to leave your house without make-up on. (unless you want tobe known as a bush-girl ). In addition to wearing make-up, there is this crazy ‘to match’ attitude. You must not be caught dead wearing lilac on green and red. Even within Nigeria, the attitude is different between tribes. In northern Nigeria, mothers wear kohl eyeliner on their female babies from the moment they are born. It is the norm. My mum has to be at work for 8am but she gets up at 6am to include 45 minutes of make-up time. I remember one morning she told me off because I was having a lie in. Apparently I should wake up early and look good or else ‘the men will not notice me’. Aha! That’s what it’s all about- Men! In northern Nigeria, there is a pretty good chance that you will not be the only wife of your husband. There is also a chance that you may be trying to get someone else’s husband. It’s an unstated competition.

My 6 yr old cousin after making herself up. Gorgeous choice of lipstick I think!

I must confess my mum finds me very weird. I wear purple on brown or red on lilac. I love my sleep and will snooze until I’m likely to be late and then I’ll rush to work, with no make-up on. I’m the only one who can get away with it, she says, but I love it. I have my own weird culture and I’m sure there’s lots more like me out there who are ‘weird’. Whether it is wearing too little or too much eye-shadow, or experimenting with a bold lipstick, or just taking time out to find your self and what suits you, feel free to break away from the culture and find your own make-up Elysium.

Do tell, what’s your make-up heaven?