I really love make-up. I love to wear it. I love putting it on. But I sometimes find myself troubled by how much I need make-up to feel like myself. Sometimes I don’t like the face underneath. I’ve always been envious of those women who seem to have a natural, unmasked beauty, a radiant and organic glow that says “I just woke up so refreshed this morning. I took a bath in a forest stream and some little birds brought me these uber-flattering yoga pants. I moisturize…with apricot nectar and fairy dew drops.” I’ve been dying to know…Do I have a natural beauty hidden behind the foundation and eyeliner? Where are my little birds and yoga pants? Where is my radiant glow???
So last week, I gave myself a little challenge – just a chance to try to appreciate my skin and my face, unenhanced by cosmetics. I used an exfoliating face scrub from Bath & Body Works, Thayer's Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner (which I only mention because I recently discovered it through Sarah’s blog and it’s awesome), and the generic substitute for Aveeno Daily Moisturizer. One week, no make-up. I took pictures everyday. No touch-ups or editing. The only change I’ve made to any of these pictures is to use auto-levels to better represent natural light. The challenge was to love the face in the mirror sans make-up.
Day One
Day Two
Day Three
Day Four
Day Five
Day Six
At the end of the week, I can say I’ve made a new peace with my appearance. This face is flawed. It has blemishes and freckles and unevenness. Maybe this face doesn’t have a place in a magazine or in a movie but it is my face, the one God gave me, a face that is half my mom’s and half my dad’s. It is a map of all the places I have been before, it is a signpost along a journey I am continuing to make. I will look back at these pictures and know what it is to have been there. I have found a comfort in that. I kind of like my face.
I still loving wearing makeup. But I think I’m ready to let my own skin shine through a little more.
I want to hear from you. Is wearing make-up an essential part of your routine? What makes you feel most naturally beautiful? What makes you feel confident as you begin a new day?
love, elizabeth
Love your blog and what you have to say :)I think no-makeup is a great practice. Sometimes it's nice to give your skin a break and feel fresh and light! I think you look great in these pictures and I hope you'll feel more confident after adopting a part-time no-makeup life...sometimes I get super dolled up, and this it looks great...sometimes I think au natural is better. Just depends on the day and my mood. It feels good to be comfortable either way.
ReplyDeleteI love this post! I go in and out of the makeup phase all the time. I always am wearing makeup but it goes between natural looking and obviously wearing makeup! The summertime I definitely go sans makeup more and I feel pretty but not always the case when im so used to being able to disguise my blemishes and shape and contour with makeup!
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ReplyDeleteI think this is an amazing thing that you're doing. What a way to boost self confidence! I go without makeup on a regular basis but that is simply due to laziness. I don't feel really pretty unless I have makeup on.
ReplyDeleteIn the spring and summer I tend to wear makeup less, since it's so hot and no body wants to sweat their face off. My go to then is tinted moisturizer (LIFESAVER) and just a touch of bare minerals powder, maybe a quick dab of bronzer and some mascara if i'm doing something other than going to class or running errands.
I don't think I'm at the point where I can go sans makeup completely, but this is definitely encouragement to wear a whole lot less!
Thanks!
BTW - YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.
<3 Daryl
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and for the follow!
ReplyDeleteThis is such an interesting post. Personally, I hate wearing make-up. I'm not sure why. I think I have a bit of an obsession with getting zits etc. so I try to keep my face as make-up free as possible. I only wear powder and mascara to work ... but when I go out I usually go the whole hog. It's great and I feel good, but I do scrub my face for hours afterwards ... I must have seen a video about clogged pores when I was younger and developed a bit of a phobia about it!
You look great without make-up and not even actresses and models have faces that have a place in magazines and movies - their faces are caked with so much make-up they are barely recognisable without it!
http://unpublishedworksofme.blogspot.com/
you're still gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI'm normally just wearing eyeliner and mascara... so that is almost au natural right? hehe
Wow...this was SO inspiring. I feel the same way. I don't wear a ton of make-up, but I definitely feel like I have to wear it to feel like myself or even like the way I look. When anyone sees me without it, I feel like I have to apologize and I always say something negative about myself.
ReplyDeleteThis really made me think. Maybe when I'm feeling brave, I'll do this challenge too.
Also - you are SERIOUSLY beautiful. You have stunning facial features. Maybe it's just harder for us as women to see our own beauty for ourselves - and seeing others comes more natural to us. IT's always easier to see the good and beauty in others and much harder for ourselves.
LOVED this. (o:
I used to be so, so bad about wearing makeup. I couldn't leave the house without putting a little something on. I had a very hard time. Every time I went to town, I'd do my entire face up. I don't spend as much time anymore doing that. When I do, I put the focus on either my eyes or my cheeks or my lips. Just one. Besides, it's healthier for my skin to be without, anyway. I actually wanted to cut down on my dependence of makeup, so I gave it up for Lent last year. It was hard, but it turned out okay. Unfortunately, I'm not entirely sure if I'm found of my appearance...but I think that's because I'm out of contacts and miss them. :)
ReplyDeleteGirl. I think you're stunning. And this inspires me to wear no (well...less...) makeup in the near future :) You're such an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteWhen I end up going without makeup it's usually because of laziness and/or not having a reason to put it on (aka my lack of a social life), but I usually at least do some powder because my skin is so oily that I feel like wearing makeup helps control it and keep it from breaking out as much. This is a very scientific observation, of course. But this is still a really cool idea and a great post.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, you're beautiful.
Is there a natural, glistening beauty under that make-up? Yes, of course there is, because under all of that is beautiful, wonderful you. So proud to have you as a friend.
ReplyDeleteMy mom is always telling to put on more make-up! To her dismay most days I go without make-up:-) oh and you have the most gorgeous skin!
ReplyDeletethe last time I wore make up was April 23rd. I lost my make up.
ReplyDeleteyou have lovely face and i think you don't need make up so keep up the great work.
You are beautiful, inside and out! Great idea. :)
ReplyDeleteAs for me, I rarely wear makeup. Probably like once a month. I can't be bothered with it! ;) My mother would love it if I wore it more often.
You go girl! I wish I could do that..
ReplyDeletexo
you have beautiful skin. jealous.
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