Feminism should not be so prescriptive that it tells women what to do when it comes to makeup and fashion, according to Ciara Kelly.

She was speaking after Irish Independent columnist Mary McCarthy argued that ditching makeup would set a good example to teenage girls.

In her latest column, she writes that encouraging women to stop worrying about their looks would make them feel better and channel their energy more positively.

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, presenter Ciara Kelly said she “absolutely agrees” in principal – but has no plans to ditch the makeup any time soon.

“This is off the back of Gwyneth Paltrow and Michelle Pfeiffer being seen without makeup … but do bear in mind that Gwyneth Paltrow and Michelle Pfeiffer are possibly two of the most beautiful women on the planet - it is different for them,” she said.

“I don’t look as well, in my humble opinion, with makeup off as with makeup on and I choose to wear it.

“I don’t think that feminism should be so prescriptive that it tells women what to do. I don’t want that brand of feminism.

“I don’t want to be told that you can’t wear a pair of high heels if you feel like it. You can’t wear stockings, you can’t wear makeup, you can’t wear any of those trappings of conventional attractiveness.

“I don’t want that.

“I choose to wear it. I, in principle, agree with this but I don’t see myself doing it.

“I could go the shops with no makeup no problem but I don’t think I would go to the IMRO [Awards] with no makeup.”

She said the debate is timely as she was yesterday forced to replace all her makeup after losing her makeup bag – something that is “not a cheap thing to do”.

A woman putting on some makeup.

Fellow presenter Shane Coleman said he does worry about how vain the world has become – for both men and women.

"I would make one point, I do worry – and this is for men and women – I do worry about how vain the world has become.

“How important the body beautiful and not having hair anywhere and the selfie culture has become,” he said.

“I do worry about that and where that will bring us.

“What message that does send to our young people – not just young girls, I think young boys as well.

“I mean nobody had a six pack when I was a kid, now everybody has to have a six pack.

“That kind of scares me a little bit. Is this part of that debate? It probably is.”

Ciara said it is all part of the “same cult of appearance and what we look like”.

“In principal, I think Mary is right and I think you are right but does that mean I am going to stop wearing makeup?

“No and I am just being honest.”

Main image: Ciara Kelly.