I very rarely wear a full face of makeup. Growing up, my mom stressed the importance of maintaining your natural beauty and she discouraged me from playing in makeup for fear that it would mess up my face. “You have beautiful skin,” she said. “Just wash it, moisturize, and drink your water.”
So that became my mantra. I went to an all-girls school so it didn’t matter much. No one was checking for me in the hallways so why not walk around bare faced? I took all the money I would have spent on makeup and spent it on $25 undies at Victoria’s Secret. #SillyRabbit
By the time I got to college, I had thrown myself into my studies and into my extracurriculars so much that I didn’t spend much time partying or clubbing (the only two valid reasons why I would apply makeup). My makeup less streak continued.
When I got knocked up and decided to marry my daughter’s father, I went into Sephora to buy makeup for the wedding.
“What do you need?” one of the employees asked me.
“Um…” I look around the store. I want to say, “Everything,” but instead I say, “Foundation.”
She gets me to buy a $50 bottle of MakeupForever foundation that I’m not sure matched my skintone but whatever. Fun fact: Day of my wedding, the make-up artist looked at my foundation, tossed it to the side, and used the foundation she brought with her.
I’ve used that foundation exactly ONCE since I bought it in 2007 and this past weekend, after seeing it roll around in my drawer for a good five years unused, I tossed it.
WHAT IS MY POINT WITH ALL THIS BLABBING?
My point is that I feel increasingly in the minority here. The ranks of women in the “I Can And Do Leave The House Without Makeup” camp seem to be disappearing by the minute.
A simple search on YouTube can yield thousands of women (and men!) showing you how to apply your makeup and achieve that “beat face” look you see your favorite celeb rockin’. One vlogger, MakeupD0LL, has been criticized for her COMPLICATED multi-multi-multi-step makeup/skincare regimens.
This make-up removal video (which I’m embedding here because I like her and am in no way trying to hate on her business she’s created for herself-she’s got skills!) is 10 minutes long and features no fewer than 15 products.
Wipes
Oil cleanser
Oil-Free Cleanser with Clarisonic Mia 2
Clay Mask
Lip Care system (3 steps)
Toner
Acne Treatment
Three Separate Serums
Night cream/Eye cream
All I have to say is those YouTube checks must be NICE because honey, ain’t no way I’m spending that much on product. Y’all lucky if I wash my face four times a week with one regular cleanser. You know I use olive oil or raw shea butter on my face? Everything I put on my skin I can also cook with. #Multipurpose
I love a woman who can rock a bare face. It’s the most beautiful to me—acne blemishes, hyperpigmentation and all. But just like with everything else, the Internet is the great equalizer. Anyone with halfway decent DSL can get makeup tutorials from women who know how to rock those pencils and brushes! It’s a great time for makeup enthusiasts!
On the other hand, I feel like those women who dare to rock only minimal makeup or none at all are considered “brave.” What insane times we’re living in! It’s natural to want to look your best, but what if you “feel your best” when you are in your natural glory? What then?
Give me your opinion: Is a “beat face” your everyday look or only for special occasions? Does the amount of makeup a woman wears say anything about how she views herself?
I guess I’m one of the dying breed who will still go out without a “beat” face! It only comes out for church and special occasions! I don’t have TIME! I need one product!
Yea……I’m good on that. I don’t like having a bunch of stuff on my face. I have good skin and I want to keep it that way. Not to mention, I’m too lazy for all of that!
I have to say that I have always been a pretty low maintenance chick and I still am. I am not implying that women who wear lots of make-up are high maintenance, but I just don’t have the time or energy for it. Most days I just have on moisturizer and lip gloss (if I remember). For special occasions or nights out (which don’t happen much) I may add liner and mascara to the mix. And I have become of fan of BB creams. Bless the women who have the patience to put makeup on everyday because I just don’t have it….LOL. In terms of what it says about how a women views herself, it depends on the woman. I have friends who are pretty confident and comfortable without makeup who still put it on pretty often, and I also know women who would not be caught dead without it — which may speak to a bigger issue, but who knows for sure.
This is something I struggle with on a daily basis. I prefer the way I look with makeup, but that’s probably because society tells me I NEED MAKEUP, right? I’ve been wearing black eyeliner every day of every year since eighth grade, with very few public forays without it, until recently. AT ALMOST-30. I’ve just recently begun eschewing eyeliner when I leave the house, but even then, I put on concealer & foundation to cover acne, & I wear mascara so I don’t look dead. Or something. But THIS IS MY FACE. Why be scared of wearing it out in public?
And then I watch YouTube videos like this & can’t decide if I’m proud of myself or ashamed of myself for falling somewhere in the middle. LIFE IS HARD.
I walk around with lip gloss and powder in my purse, and it’s a miracle if I even apply that on a good day. I don’t, however, knock the women that have the talent and time for this. It’s just something I’ve never personally been up for doing.
Mascara. Eye liner. Lip gloss. #dassit
I have a small inventory of products so I can do my makeup if I’m going somewhere nice, but it’s definitely not an everyday thing!
I don’t “beat” my face lol. 5 or 6 days a week I have on no makeup at all. The only time I wear makeup is every other Sunday for church when I sing in choir and sometimes for blog photos. I put a little bronzer on my cheeks and forehead to give myself a fresh bright look, concealer under my eyes to cover dark bags, gold eye shadow and eye liner. Does that count as having a beat face? Lol. I have to scratch my face sometimes and I don’t want makeup under my nails. Looks gross.