Underground observations

One of the facts of life in London (and perhaps any major city) is that those of us who work in the centre of town spend a lot of time commuting. For my part, I spend over 10 hours a week sitting on the Tube on my way to and from work. The costs of living near the centres of business are prohibitive, so we make daily slogs on public transport to reach our places of work.

Because time is short and commutes are long, it's quite usual to see people saving a bit of time by doing their makeup on the train.

I am always totally fascinated when I see someone doing her makeup across the carriage from me. Even bleary from lack of sleep first thing in the morning, I can't help but sneak curious glances at this normally private ritual taking place in front of everyone in the harsh fluorescent light. The variation in technique, product choice and order-of-work is remarkable - truly no two women are the same in how they make up.



Some people start at the brow, pencilling on arches with a remarkably steady hand. Some bring out a whole brush kit from their handbags and cycle through blusher, powder, highlighter and bronzer. Some people flip open an endearingly battered old No. 7 palette and apply eyeshadow from lash to brow with a sponge applicator. Some slick on bright lipstick straight from the tube, others dab on a bead of gloss and spread it with gurning lip-motions.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect is mascara. If you've tried to put on mascara on a moving train you'll know that it's no easy task. I see women who wiggle the brush in at the roots and zig-zag out like pro artists. Others who flick gently over the tips of the lashes, adding just a hint of definition. I watch with baited breath as old hands apply mascara as quickly and roughly as if they were brushing their teeth, swiping over and over again and risking a jab in the eye with each stroke.

I have applied makeup on the train myself, although I usually prefer to do it at home before leaving for work, even when time is short. I feel self-conscious, showing a random assortment of fellow Londoners what I cover up and what I accentuate when I do my makeup.

Have you ever done your makeup on public transport? How did you feel? And have you ever watched someone else doing it and learned from their technique?