In my post last month about the natural products that I use, I mentioned that I don't wear makeup. That little tube of lip balm is the extent of my "makeup" usage. :) I think I had said that here before, but I've never explained why. So here are five reasons why I personally choose to not wear makeup.
1. Nasty chemicals. Most cosmetics are full of weird, harmful chemicals (formaldehyde, anyone?), and I try to use products that are as natural as possible.
2. I have zero interest in it and I'm lazy. I know there are girls who love shopping for makeup, trying new kinds, learning different ways to apply it, etc. But that doesn't appeal to me in the slightest. Shopping for books or yarn, or learning a new way to knit something...now that's a different story. :) Also, I don't want it to take me long to get ready. If I have a few extra minutes before I have to leave the house, I'd much rather be knitting than putting on makeup.
3. It makes me feel uncomfortable. On the few occasions that I have worn makeup in the past (as a bridesmaid in a cousin's wedding, to a homeschool formal, etc.), it felt so awkward and unnatural on me. Honestly, I'm plenty self-conscious enough, thank you, without having to constantly worry if I've got lipstick on my teeth or if my mascara is smeared.
4. I would depend on it too much. There are some girls who can wear makeup or not wear it and feel equally comfortable. But if I did wear makeup, I know I would be one of those who wouldn't want to leave the house without it on. If I knew everyone was used to seeing me with makeup on, I would feel too embarrassed to be seen without it. Sad, but true. So it's better if I don't even go there in the first place.
5. Sometimes I like to be contrary. I'm not a rebel. If you know me, you know that I'm one of those cautious, rule-abiding types (think Hermione Granger). But every once in a while, I can rebel in a small sort of way. :) I hate that our society has taught us that women are supposed to wear makeup. Little girls believe that they'll finally be pretty when they're old enough to wear makeup. Grown women believe they have to wear makeup to look presentable. It's gone from something that was "fun" and optional to something that is required. I'm stubborn enough that if the world tells me I need to wear makeup, it makes me want to wear it that much less.
How about you? Do you wear makeup? Why or why not?
For me, it depends on where I'm going or what I plan to do. My friends frequently see me with very minimal make-up - I use an eyebrow pencil and eyebrow gel on those days and that's it. For work, I add mascara and face powder. For Very Special Evening Events, I may go a little further and apply lipstick and/or eyeshadow, if I feel like it.
ReplyDeleteI am perfectly comfortable with wearing absolutely no make-up at all when I'm just heading to the grocery store, for example. Apart from the aforementioned powder, I don't put anything on my skin, though - no concealer/ BB cream/foundation whatsoever because it makes my skin itch.
I love your attitude and if it weren't for my barely existing eyebrows, I'd totally go the same route.
That's great that you feel comfortable whether you're wearing makeup or not. I'd like to think I'd be the same way, but I know I wouldn't be!
DeleteI wear makeup. To me, it's partially about the "fun" of it. But then again, as I've grown up and become more practiced with applying makeup, I also wear very little. For me, if you're eyes are "made up," that's enough. I wear (usually minimal) mascara and eyeliner (plus a nice, light base that's equally a moisturizer as it is a base) and no eye shadow. Most of the time I go without lipstick too though I do love BB's lip glosses. :)
ReplyDeleteEveryone has to find their own routine and I think if you're comfortable without make up, then that's awesome! :)
Yeah, I know that makeup is fun for a lot of girls. (Not me, though, ha.) I've never tried Burt's Bees lip glosses, only their basic lip balm.
DeleteSometimes I feel self-conscious about not wearing makeup, but overall I'm a lot more comfortable not wearing it than I am wearing it. :)
I enjoyed hearing why you don't use make-up! I don't wear make-up either, for many of the reasons you mentioned. Mostly, I don't want to invest time in learning how to apply it correctly. I'm lazy. ;) And I think my skin stays clearer without it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, my husband prefers me to not wear make-up. He doesn't really have anything against it, he just likes me better without. Which is awesome!
I will occasionally use a tiny bit of cover up if I have a really BIG zit or something like that. Other than that, Burt's Bees chap-stick and lip-gloss are the only "make-up" that I use a lot.
Thanks! I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way, ha. I'm also really lazy about a "beauty routine." I don't want to spend any more time than necessary to get ready!
DeleteThat's awesome that your husband likes it when you don't wear makeup. :) Also, I don't think I commented on your recent post, but congrats to you and your husband on your baby! I'm so happy for you and I hope your morning sickness will go away soon. :)
Great post to read, as sometimes I feel a bit 'weird' that I don't wear make-up. I use moisturiser and sometimes a cover-up stick for blemishes. But I don't like make-up for all the reasons you mentioned, as well as the environmental aspect. I cannot imagine how much waste there is in make-up and all the products we are led to believe we 'need'. I particularly like your No 5 - sometimes I just like to be stubborn as well and not do something just because everyone does it.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes feel weird for not wearing it, too. Glad I'm not the only stubborn one around here! :)
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