Do you mean ego - for her - when she receives a compliment and enjoys it? It could just be her receiving a compliment and taking it happily.
I'm not sure what she means about ego being for guys, though.
I remember a couple women that truely believed they were a gift to the world but I always sensed a touch of bitterness in them when they were dressed to the max.
Well this doesn't sound like your friend. Though I'm not sure what you mean by 'dressed to the max' - this can vary widely based on the individual. What's your view of it? What are you thinking of when you say this?
This sounds like some women either have to dress for the occasion (work/date) and get bothered when people give frequent compliments - again - this might be because some 'compliments' are just cheap come-ons that are unwelcomed/offensive sexual advances. (Either they really ARE - or the person perceives them to BE)
Example:
I was at the store - tank top and short-shorts a few years ago. My key broke off in the door lock, I couldn't drive home. I had to walk. A lot of young guys did cat-calls and remarks about my ass as they drove by. I ended up crying and was humiliated even though nothing they said was like 'hey fatty - you look horrid in that ****' - it was all crude, but still on the positive side. I still felt it was insulting and demeaning, though.
Thus - you'll never see me wear a pair of shorts like that in public.
THAT is very different than when I wear jeans/tank top to the store and some guy says 'Wow, your beautiful' - that's just a compliment.
I prefer the compliments - don't like the derisive remarks.
I am not trying to figure the female mind but when an attractive women looks in the mirro without makeup she is still attractive yet she then will start the process of changing her naural beauty-I'm not sure I'll ever understand that.
And to this - women wear makeup for different reasons. I don't wear any and years ago when this came up in a debate a business-woman told me that 'wearing makeup to work is a way to complete your professional outfit. Going without makeup means you're undone and unfinished - like a guy in a suit without the dress shoes and tie.'
Yet at the same time - some women don't go a moment in their daily life outside the home without makeup on. I had a friend in highschool who was like this - she felt like wearing makeup was like wearing clothes. She felt naked without it.