The other day I was thinking about a show I saw on TV years back. The show was challenging women to go a week without make-up.
The show was absolutely ground-breaking.
It documented what these women went through each day as they went about their lives- make-up free. One lady even went to bed with her make-up on and admitted that her husband had never seen her without make-up!
Personally, I have always used my make-up as a security blanket. I generally don’t go without it unless I am simply around the house or running to the grocery store. But even still, I tend to always put on my lip gloss when going out.
Some days I resent putting on make-up…I mean, it just adds another 10-15 minutes to my getting ready routine! It really can be a pain in the butt.
And expensive. Sephora, anyone?!
So as I started to think about this more and more, I realized that I have never gotten over my insecurity when I am make-up free. Sometimes I feel ugly, blotchy, or afraid to hold my head up high without make-up on my face.
This is really sad for me to think about.
I have always been self-conscious about the red undertones in my skin (much of my family has these rosy red undertones!) and I have always tried to cover it up and create a more even skin tone with foundation. I also have always been self-conscious about my beauty mark on my cheek. Many times growing up many people told me I had ‘a little something’ on my face and tried to rub it off, thinking it was dirt.
And you know what?
I’m sick of feeling this way.
I am sick of relying on make-up to make me feel beautiful! Now don’t get me wrong, I think make-up can be a wonderful tool to give us some kick to our step just like clothing can do, but I think we also need to ask ourselves if we RELY on make-up to make us feel whole.
I know I sure do.
And I think that needs to change.
So today I decided to come clean to myself and the world. I took this picture with Eric’s HIGH RES camera, so there is no hiding. ;)
ME: Make-up FREE!
I admit, I was nervous taking this picture. But I am even more nervous about the thought of challenging myself to go make-up free. I am honestly not sure if I can do it. A few years ago, I challenged myself to go 1 week without lip gloss (I am addicted). It was incredibly hard (Eric LOVED it- he hates that ‘stuff’!). It was so so hard for me.
Today’s SGBC Reflection Challenge is to think about this post and ask yourself whether you rely too much on make-up to feel ‘whole’.
ABC News wrote some tips for going make-up free:
- Concentrate on your skin care. The best way to go without makeup is if you’ve been taking great care of your skin, so you can show it off. If you’re feeling confident about your skin you’re going to feel good about going without makeup as well. (Time to keep up with the green monsters!!!!)
- Get a great cleanser, a very gentle exfoliant and a moisturizer with SPF. Most of the anti-aging creams out there are too rich for a woman under the age 35. If you still feel like you need anti-aging products, incorporate it; but, just like with makeup, less is more.
- Keep your hair and nails looking good so you don’t look unkempt, even though you’re not wearing makeup. Consider getting a manicure or get a blowout that you can wear for most of the week. (While I can see their point with this tip, I think it contradicts their message! You shouldn’t feel that you have to ‘improve’ other areas of your appearance to justify feeling good sans make-up!)
- Have your lip balm handy. If your lips look healthy and moisturized, you won’t look scraggly. (Well, gee thanks!)
- If you must have something on your face, try a tinted moisturizer with SPF. Clinique and Benefit make great ones. They offer moisture, a small amount of coverage and sunscreen — makeup or no makeup, you should wear sunscreen everyday.
Let’s think about some benefits of going make-up free:
- You will save money
- Extra time in your day to do what YOU want to do! Spend that extra 10-30 minutes relaxing, reading, or watching some TV!
- It will challenge you to find out how secure you can truly become in your own skin
- You will start to appreciate your natural beauty
We need to really embrace our whole selves- even if that means learning to love our skin make-up free….blotchy…freckled…broken out…wrinkly…and ALL!
I don’t know about you, but I feel STRONGER and more confident just writing these words.
~~~~~~
Today’s questions:
Do you ever go make-up free?
Do you rely on make-up too much?
Do you think you could go 1 week make-up free? Why or why not?
Angela- I love the healthy glow you have about yourself!
You look radiant!
I honestly haven’t worn make up since I have no clue. I actually met all of my boyfriends and my husband not wearing any makeup. I’ve actually gotten the most compliments not wearing any!
You know, I honestly don’t know if I have it in me to go bare and makeup-less for a day let alone a week. That extra layer of beauty always gives me so much confidence… which I guess would be a problem in and of itself. Great idea, I hope to make it there one day :)
P.S. You are absolutely beautiful!
I’ve been wearing makeup pretty much every day since I was 13- I’m 25 now! A few months ago I got really tired of wearing make up all the time! It was an added 15 minutes in the morning and I hardly ever took it off (I even slept in it)!
My skin wasn’t the greatest, but I knew it was a vicious cycle. my skin wasn’t perfect so I started wearing makeupe all the time, but my skin wasn’t perfect because I always wore makeup. I decided to give it up. It’s been more than 3 months now and I love it!
I work in an office, so I wear mascara to work, but nothing on my face. No foundation, concealer, powder, blush, bronzer, eye shadow… nada!
Funny thing is, no one even noticed. My boyfriend didn’t even notice that I don’t even wear mascara at all sometimes.
My skin isn’t always perfect, but it’s my skin and I should show it off! I’m only 25… I don’t want to be 80 and realize how much time I’ve wasted putting on and removing my make up over my lifetime.
I’ve worn powder two or three times since giving it up when I was going out. One time it made me feel so beautiful, the other time I felt it made me look fake.
It took a bit, but I’m loving showing off my skin, however imperfect it may be!)
I’ve gotten better at this over the years–when I was a teen, I really couldn’t bear to leave the house without makeup because I had bad acne. Now that my skin is better as an adult, I do go without it occasionally, but the one thing I can’t live without is under-eye concealer. I have genetically-caused horrible undereye circles. If I DO go without concealer, people always ask if I’m sick or if I got a black eye, etc. So I really do need it, which stinks, because if I didn’t, I would totally go without it! I do find that using a little makeup (I use Bare Minerals) just evens out my skin and gets rid of some of the ruddiness on my nose, etc. I don’t mind putting it on because I like the way I look with it–but I can still go without if I choose. I don’t use a lot of eye makeup at all–mascara occasionally, and I hardly ever use lip gloss anymore–that stuff just gets in the way and it comes off so easily!
You’re pretty friggin’ awesome to post a picture of yourself on the internet makeup free Angela.. but you know what? You still look amazing.. those Green Monsters count for something! :)
I go makeup free when I’m working out but you’d be surprised how many women at my gym come in made up as if they’re going out to a soiree… insane!
I can easily go without makeup with the exception of when “that time of month” rolls around and you can easily play connect the dots on my forehead LOL. Damn those hormonal imbalances.. grrrr arrrgghh!
Daily I spot check I only need a dollop to even out skin tone..
Love the post- I know that I rely on make up for work ever since my face started acting up- what is going on with it?!?!? Funny thing is, I probably am making my skin worst by putting on so much concealer! Argh.
I included my own thoughts about it all on my post today- thanks for the inspiration!
I’m another non-make-up wearer. I own a tube of mascara somewhere for special occasions, but I feel absolutely ridiculous with anything else. It’s so unnatural, such a hassle, and no one seems to care anyway. I like the freedom of going without it, and I’d prefer to get that radiant glow with fruits and veggies rather than paints and powders. I’m not against it, as I know many women really enjoy playing around with looks and whatnot, but for me I’d feel incredibly self-conscious and simply not ‘me’ if my face was covered in that stuff.
I wear make up almost every day. I don’t wear a tonne, but I do wear it. I often go without makeup on Sundays though. Some Sundays I feel great about the way I look without it and other Sundays I feel a bit self conscious leaving the house without make up. I find that it is easier in the summer when I have a bit more of a “glow” :)
I think I might have to take a picture of myself without the make up and see what I think. (I have VERY rosy undertones…so I often see myself in pictures even WITH make up and think I look really red-faced)
I hardly ever wear makeup. About every other month if I have an important meeting I’ll wear makeup, but sometimes I won’t even do that anymore. I slowly stopped wearing makeup over the last 6 years. Hubby says that he loves me without makeup and I think that’s what started it….I realized that I didn’t HAVE to wear makeup. I don’t really miss it, but it is fun once in a while to put it on and go out. Plus, it saves a lot of money :-)
HI angela..great post. I rarely went make up free during highschool..but Ican proudly say now that I RARELY wear it.. (I have tons of stuff) but i really only wear it on a night out..I NEVER wear it to work or school or out for errands lol..The most I wear = lipgloss a touch of mascara..even that is pushing it. I think working with kids has taught me that..really, they don’t care what we look like, as long as we love them unconditionally and play with them lol. My boyfriend also hates too much/gunky makeup. Fake=no good!
Angela~ You are even prettier without make-up….believe in it:)
I honestly never wear make-up unless it’s an event or special outing. It’s SPF 45 and chapstick:) THEN, when I actually wear make-up…people freak out. Actually, it’s rather fun that way…
Cheers~
Barbara
you look gorgeous! wonderful blog, i love the green smoothie!
I wear my make up moderately! I know I am not addicted to it, I love to go to the grocery store just like a plain Jane! I think this post is great, but there are so many things that need to change largely. Make up is a mask every woman wears for social acceptance and the day each one of us realizes that we need to accept our kind the way we are,each one of us will be more confident without make up!
I think the parody of the situation is that women hide their flaws more to save themselves from the critical comments or glances of their fellow female co workers than MEN!
And not to forget that you are beautiful and you need no make up!
I absolutely LOVE this post. You are absolutely gorgeous and don’t need an ounce of makeup on your face!!
I have just recently stopped wearing foundation and powder on my face. I started off slowly, allowing certain areas on my face to go bare and within a few weeks I was completely weaned from my daily mask. My skin is smoother and clearer than it has ever been. I feel more confident knowing I am doing something healthy for myself.
I still am guilty of wearing a bit of eyeshadow and mascara but on working on that habit soon:)
I’m not big on make-up, but I do think it can help play up your features when you want an extra boost. I try to eat right, drink plenty of water, exercise, and use eb5 on my face daily. I think every person is DIFFERENT and should do what makes THEM feels MOST confident.
I too use makeup as a bit of a security blanket. It’s not like I won’t leave the house without it on, but when I do wear it I just feel more at ease, more ready to face (no pun intended) the world.
That said, many years ago when I was at my healthiest my skin was naturally good and I never felt the need to cover up.
You look great without make-up and just remember, the more we all practise going out in the world without it, the more yowe will feel comfortable being our natural selves.
Thanks for the great blog btw.
Sorry, should have said WE, not yowe
Do you ever go make-up free? Yes
Do you rely on make-up too much? No
Do you think you could go 1 week make-up free? Why or why not? I definitely could, I wear make-up but not often. When I do wear make-up it’s usually mascara, eye shadow, and eye liner. Sometimes I put on some sparkly lip gloss.
I feel better when I wear make-up, but not enough to put forth the effort and time to put it on.
First off, you are GORGEOUS! Your skin is so clear and smooth! I’m jealous :)
I’m probably in the minority here – I hardly ever wear makeup. But I will admit that I do feel much more beautiful when I wear it. The reason I don’t wear it is because I have very dry skin and any kind of foundation/powder just highlights that.
I hope you fall in love with your true beauty!
You have such gorgeous skin, I am so envious. I break out at the drop of a hat, at almost 31 this is so frustrating as I had better skin as a teenager.
I go makeup free just about every day, because I work from home LOL. If I’m going to be out and about I use a tinted moisturizer. It gives me just enough color to even out my skin tone, I’m not about to cake it on to cover up my break outs especially in the summer because it is so obvious anyways.