I have a confession: I don’t wear makeup.
Scratch that, I don’t even own makeup. It’s been years since a stick of eyeliner, tube of lipstick or any other makeup and accessories have been part of my daily routine. And honestly, I don’t miss it!
First of all, let me say I don’t hate makeup and I definitely don’t see it as evil. I have nothing against it. And I have nothing against anyone who wears makeup. For me, I just don’t see makeup as being worth it or beneficial.
Here are some of the reasons I choose not to wear makeup.
1. Convenience
Not having to worry about makeup really does make my life more convenient. It keeps clutter out of my bathroom and really helps simplify my getting ready process. Without makeup, I also have one less thing to add to my shopping list or worry about spending money on.
In general, I am not a morning person. If I can squeeze a shower in before lunch I count it as a successful day! But adding makeup to my morning routine just isn’t how I want to spend my time. Even though it may only be 5-10 minutes, it’s still extra time. Time that I would rather spend elsewhere, instead of applying makeup. I know countless mamas easily make time, but I just don’t see it as a priority.
2. Necessity
Makeup has a lot of wonderful properties and can help a tired mama feel dressed up or just plain human. I get that. But at the same time, for me it’s just not a necessity. And the longer I go without wearing makeup, the less necessary I view it. I survive mornings, long days, even special occasions without having to apply an ounce of makeup.
While my skin is not flawless and my lashes aren’t the longest, I can still feel beautiful without makeup. My husband still finds me beautiful without makeup. And in my mind if I can feel beautiful AND my husband can still find me beautiful without adding makeup to the equation, why complicate things? Who else do I need to impress? Nobody.
Plenty of things in my life are necessary, I just don’t think makeup makes the cut for me to be added to the list.
3. Experience
I have to give some credit here to my upbringing and my parents. I am the oldest and my parents decided that me and my sister had to wait to wear makeup until we were 16. To some that might sound crazy, but that’s just the way it was. I remember being excited to get makeup that year for my birthday and finally be able to wear it! And for the remainder of my teen years I did wear makeup, pretty much daily. But I didn’t wear a ton or cake it on. I learned a lot from my mom. She wore makeup, but never a ton either. Obviously she was my example!
My parents did a good job at giving me affirmation and making me feel beautiful long before makeup entered my world. And even when I was wearing makeup, they still made me feel beautiful for more than what I was wearing. I hope to pass on that same experience to my daughters, too.
I was taught, by both word and example, that beauty isn’t just based on conforming to certain standards or on outward appearances alone. Beauty is deeper. It’s more. Because of my experience and upbringing, makeup and feeling beautiful aren’t synonymous in my mind. Makeup can add to beauty, but it alone doesn’t define beauty. So I can feel beautiful without the aid of makeup. And I am thankful for the freedom that gives me!
4. Being Different
Maybe this isn’t the best reason, but part of the reason I don’t wear makeup is because I like to be different. I don’t like fitting into the mold of “normal.” Just because everyone else does something usually isn’t a good enough reason for me to join in.
And when it comes to wearing makeup, I think most people assume that women just wear makeup. It’s just the way it is. Why not? Why wouldn’t you want to highlight your beauty or hide flaws? But frankly, I just don’t want to jump on that bandwagon. I just don’t want to wear makeup. I have tried different brands, different techniques and I don’t like any of it enough to wear. I like myself better without makeup.
5. Being Genuine
As a goal I strive to be genuine and hope others can feel the same around me. I desire for my daughters to be genuine as they grow up. They should feel free to be who they are and not want to hide. Where are they going to learn that? From me. And while the physical aspect of being genuine is only a small part, it sure is important. I want them to know their value and beauty can’t be bought on a shelf or applied with a makeup brush. So I will strive to be genuine as I show my girls you don’t need to hide who you are on the good days and bad days alike. I certainly won’t deprive my daughters from ever wearing makeup, but I want them to know that they can survive and be beautiful without its aid.
The bottom line
The bottom line is, I am happier going natural and having a naked face. I am happier not adding makeup to my routine. So guess what? I am just not going to wear makeup. And I am going to enjoy it!
Maybe you are a mama who feels more empowered by applying makeup daily, good for you! Maybe you are a mama who feels extra special with a bold lipstick, fantastic! Or maybe you can relate to me and you actually feel best when you DON’T wear any makeup, which is great too!
When the question of whether or not to wear makeup comes up your response might be, “Yes, please!” But for me, my response is, “No thanks.” And I am not going to feel guilty about it. I also don’t feel less like a woman or like I am missing out.
Whatever your view on makeup may be, just know you are beautiful, mama. And it’s not the makeup, or lack of it, that makes you beautiful. It’s who you are beneath the makeup and the tired eyes that makes you beautiful. No matter how you feel today, I hope you feel beautiful!
