For much of last month, my stress/anxiety was incredibly high. So high that I think my body decided to take it out on me by saying “enough!”
One of the ways my body sent up red flags was with my eyes.
I’m not entirely sure if it was my poor habit of rarely cleaning my makeup brushes (or washing my face before bed—I know, awful habit!), or getting a little too aggressive with my eye make up remover, but my eyelids and under my eyes became all red, puffy, and dry.
After this went on a couple days, I knew my eyes needed a break. I threw out my eye makeup (mascara, liner, eye shadow), disposed of my contact lenses and case, and gave my brushes a really thorough cleaning.
Not a big deal, right?
Well, in doing this, it meant that I would not be wearing any eye makeup and relying solely on my glasses for a while.
This wasn’t a huge issue on the weekend (I usually go easy on the makeup when I’m not working), but I had never, ever, ever gone without makeup at work!
To give my eyes time to heal, though, I decided to go several days completely “fresh-faced.” No makeup at all.
//via//
Let me just say a few things. I don’t think I’m a particularly vain person, I can’t take a flattering selfie for the life of me, and while I stop to look in the mirror when one is present, it’s usually to make sure I don’t have food in my teeth. 😉
But makeup? Well, I’ve worn it in some fashion since middle school.
I always go fairly natural, but I feel more confident—and AWAKE—if I wear a bit of concealer, brown eye liner, and brown-black mascara.
I’m very pale and my eyebrows and eyelashes are light, too. I just feel more “put together” when I touch up my face.
I know it’s silly, but I was terrified of the “are you ok?” or “you look different—did you sleep?” comments I would receive. I’m not one to point out a person’s appearance like that, but I thought people would tell me that I looked terrible.
Perhaps I am vainer than I think I am?
Anyway, long story short, I survived (and my eyes got better). Nothing dramatic happened, and you can say that I learned several lessons out of this unplanned “experiment.”
1) Not wearing makeup = easier mornings! I spent less time getting ready (I still fixed my hair) and got to relax with the pup for a few minutes.
2) Society places way too much emphasis on being flawless. When did a bit of redness or sparse eyebrows become something we need to cover? Why would I take somebody with perfect makeup more seriously than somebody who’s going natural?
3) Most people just don’t pay attention to your face. I mean, hopefully they look you in the eye when speaking/listening, but they don’t critique you incessantly!
4) Makeup can be expensive—is it worth it? I buy 99% of mine at drugstores and don’t replace it often enough, but I still spend a good bit of money that could go toward other things.
5) Not wearing a lot of makeup regularly can make dressing up for a special occasion that much more exciting.
6) If I am going to relish a compliment, I’d much rather it be related to something I did (going the extra mile at work, baking cookies for a friend, being kind to a stranger…) than for how I looked on a given day!
7) Despite all of the above—I prefer how I look with a little bit of natural makeup.
told you I couldn’t take a selfie to save my life—especially with no makeup + bad office lighting!
While I learned some valuable lessons, nothing remarkable or earth-shattering happened. I did realize, though, that maybe all this time my self-esteem was tied a bit too tightly to my appearance instead of my personality, work ethic, kindness, or parenting.
While I’ve bought new eye makeup and returned to my old habits, I’m a little more mindful when I get ready in the mornings. I’ve realized that I put much more emphasis on my looks than others do—that I see imperfections when others simply see “me.”
I wish our society as a whole didn’t place so much emphasis on looks. While it’s partly biological, it’s definitely something we’ve let spiral out of control.
Whether you wear makeup or not, I challenge you focus a little less on appearances and more on your thoughts, words, and actions.
And be sure to check out this fantastic post on the pressure for beauty.
[linking up for thinking out loud]
- Do you normally wear makeup or do you prefer to go natural?
- What is your favorite feature? I love my natural hair color (brown that lightens in the sun) and blue eyes.
You are beautiful to me with or without makeup. You have a beautiful heart.
As are you. <3
I’ve also worn makeup in some capacity since middle school. I’ve found that since coming to college, I’m more confident without it than before, but I think that’s part of growing up. Honestly, in high school, I’d probably smudge some concealer under my eyes before I went to the gym and I wouldn’t fully wash my face if I was staying the night at a friend’s house. Now, I get ready for bed and I’m totally fine with stopping to chat with friends in the hall in no makeup, glasses, and my pajamas. Do I still love putting on makeup? Yeah. I honestly find it relaxing just to take some time for myself in the morning, but I feel okay without it, as well.
You just reminded me that I hardly ever wore makeup (or fixed my hair, or wore real clothes…lol) when I was in college! That’s awesome you’re now more confident without it. I think I was like that but kind of regressed (blame the dark circles under my eyes from lack of sleep!).
Hahaha I relate to those a bit, too 😛
I think you’re a beautiful mama! <3 I love the verse in Proverbs 31. 'Charm is deceitful, beauty is vain, but a women that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.' It keeps my eyes on the essential beauty of the heart. <3
Thank you, Emily. Ditto (well, minus the mana part!). That is one of my favorite verses <3
I can totally relate to this. When I was working, make up was a BIG DEAL to me. I personally love make up and getting pretty, etc. I love buying really high end make up which sucks because I feel that once I’ve gone there, I can hardly use cheaper make up now. Since becoming a SAHM though, I RARELY wear it. Like to that point that when I do wear it my husband notices, which is insane lol. Not wearing make up as often has helped me embrace more of what I actually look like naturally than be obsessed with what I look like with make up on. I still prefer myself with make up but am 100% okay with leaving the house with nothing on now.
I’m too cheap for high end, which I guess is a good thing. I think if I stayed at home I would be much less inclined to wear it. On weekends, I’m more like that.
I’m so with you on the fact that I’d MUCH rather be on the receiving side of a compliment towards my brain or ability or heart than my beauty. Taking a break from the makeup actually feels so good. Thank you for the reminder 🙂
You’re welcome! Sometimes I need to give myself a reminder, too.
Great post! I think the anxiety that one experiences to go without makeup is due to pressures to look a certain type of celebrity . It may be Hollywood or good ole Mobile celebrity. I love makeup and experience different emotions when I go without . The “mom” drop off at school vs when I pick up are two completely different looks (When I am not at work) haha. Makeup is ultimately fun for me, aside from all the vanity. It’s a hobby/I enjoy playing with it.
You are beautiful with or without, but I am envious of how flawlessly you do your makeup! I can totally see the “morning mom” being different from the “afternoon mom!” 🙂
I look really young, like I am in high school, so I wear make-up when I want to look more professional. Though sometimes I am in a hurry and I just skip it. I am not very attached to it, though I definitely think I look better with it.
I like the selfie! You are a beautiful woman, no doubt. Yet, you are a wonderful writer and thinker. I relate to your brain so much!
Thanks so much, Kate. I relate so much to your writing, too.
I have always looked young, but lately I feel like I look twice my age. Sleep deprivation will do that to you! 😉
I LOVE this! You are so beautiful and your posts never fail to inspire me. I wear some makeup (usually just some foundation and mascara). I used to wear so much more though because I was insecure, but I save so much time in the mornings by not doing that! We are just as beautiful without having pounds of makeup on, and in my opinion natural beauty always wins!
You are so sweet, Lyss. Thank you. It’s so true – I am always in awe of others’ natural beauty, so I really should have more confidence in my own features.