Growing up, I wasn’t allowed to wear makeup. (I know, it sounds a little crazy!)
Let me explain.
My mother didn’t start applying blush to her cheeks, foundation to her face, or even mascara to her lashes until she was in her 30’s. She has always believed that a bare face is the epitome of true beauty, and never hesitated to say how beautiful I looked without makeup.
If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I love beauty products and natural skin care. But I also love setting those things aside to let my skin just be. Why? Because it allows me to connect to my real self. I also notice a huge difference in my skin; it’s clearer, softer, and has a sweet glow–something that makeup often covers up.
Braving the outside world without the usual arsenal of products on your face may seem scary, I know. But, I’ve got 10 reasons that may sway you to skip the makeup routine every once in a while. Because the results of going makeup free are more powerful than you think.
- Healing blemishes naturally. Covering our blemishes with concealer is always a knee-jerk reaction because showing up in the world, blemishes and all is a vulnerable thing. However, giving your skin the time to heal sans makeup can do wonders and even speed up the healing process.
- Being a bare skin trailblazer. As modern women, we all know that feeling beautiful leads to greater confidence. But too often, we hide behind layers of eyeshadow and eyeliner, never quite showing our real faces to the world. Be a source of inspiration for changing this by going makeup free on a regular basis. You’ll empower others to do the same.
- Reconnecting with your youthfulness. I remember always being curious about makeup when I was young, but it didn’t define me. It wasn’t necessary to go through the whole routine of brushing my cheeks with foundation and blush. I was just me. Going makeup-free brings me back to this state of mind; something that’s totally liberating!
- Giving your pores fresh oxygen & the chance to detox. Makeup gets absorbed deep into our pores making it almost impossible for oxygen to move in and out. Let your skin experience fresh air again by skipping the makeup. My favorite way to do this with confidence is with an incredible skin care routine. Right now my latest moisturizer crush is the Revitalizer by Biossance. I love it for so many reasons, but one of my favorite things about it is how clean, pure, and silky it feels on my skin, never making me regret going makeup free.
- Preventing aging. Aging is caused by the breakdown of elasticity, the slowdown of cell renewal, and a straight up lack of moisture. All three cause wrinkles. Makeup contributes to the last one most of all. Many foundations and powders suck out moisture. and scrubbing all those products off everyday pulls at our skin and stretches things out. Not cute! Give your skin a break so that aging doesn’t strike early.
- Saving time. Skip the 10-15 minutes you spend applying the contents of your makeup bag and spend it doing that thing you never make time for. Like meditation, taking the scenic route to work, or writing your intentions down in your journal. All of which can promote a healthier mindset and reduce stress (another cause of breakouts and aging!)
- Reducing makeup messes. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been embarrassed by a makeup snafu. Lipstick on the teeth. Smudged eyeliner. You name it, it’s happened to me. Going makeup free means you don’t have to keep checking yourself for any messes. A beautiful thing!
I challenge you to go makeup free one day a week so that you can experience all of these amazing benefits and start feeling more confident in your skin. If you need to start small, just hangout sans foundation with a friend or if you’re feeling adventurous, go to your next party makeup free!
Now, I want to hear from you! How do you feel about going makeup free? Have you ever done it? Tell us all about it in the comments below.
Comments
Alyson 07/12/15
Love this!
Yes, I too, go makeup free often and I LOVE it. I’m a health coach working out of my house so there’s no real reason to actually ever put it on unless I’m going somewhere special. My skin thanks me and looks younger now than it did when I was at my 9-5. De-stressing has also had a lot to do with it. Finding skincare products (for me they’re organic) you love and that love you right back is also crucial!
Nitika 07/12/15
Yessss Alyson!! Exactly – that’s the whole point, less stress, younger skin and so much more. And great skin care is totally the name of the game. Keep up the great work!!! xoxo
Andi 07/12/15
I stopped wearing makeup after the birth of my son in January. So six months of being makeup free! It has completely changed my life. I love it!!! I felt really exposed and naked so to speak and now I have a lot of confidence. Plus, people say I look 25 and not 32! 🙂
Nitika 07/12/15
Omg I love that Andi!!! That’s amazing and so inspiring to hear. Great work love!! xoxo
preeta 07/12/15
It’s funny..you’re trying to go make-up free while I’m trying to force myself to put it on more often. Although, I have noticed that people tend to think I’m younger especially at work because I only put on lip gloss and save the real makeup for when I go out to dinner, city, parties, etc.
Nitika 07/12/15
I totally get that Preeta – we all have our places for growth and change and they are not always the same! Lots of love xoxo
Jasmine 12/07/15
Omg.. me too !! Lol. I force myself to put it on too. I actually have to remind myself if there is a dinner or a party, I must remember to put on make-up 😉
Nitika 12/07/15
Exactly!!! Going natural is just so comfy 😉 xx
Renee Ramlall 07/12/15
Going without makeup helps give your skin a break – you are right. I do believe though, that having your eyebrows done (shaped or cleaned up) is super helpful in giving you a brighter face – just sort of opens you up AND you really don’t need makeup – its a natural lift!
Nitika 07/13/15
Renee I am obsessed with this tip you shared – YES! Having your brows done makes a big difference and I love a good thick brow with a nice arch. So good!! I get mine threaded. How about you? Love this + lots of love to you xoxo
Michelle 07/12/15
I love going makeup free and actually feel more authentic sand real without it. I have never really worn makeup regularly and all my photos are 99% makeup free (even on my site, I’m a holistic nutritionist) . I also find that foundation tends to block out the glow of my skin too! So now I really just love a bold lip. This was not always the case! I actually didn’t feel pretty enough w/o makeup and didn’t want compliments w it on! After many years of eating well and changing my self talk I feel pretty with or without makeup. I wish more women would embrace their bare face, thanks for sharing 🙂
Nitika 07/13/15
Michelle I love that – foundation blocks out your glow – I never put it in those words but I TOTALLY agree! And bold lips are my fave, especially in the summer. Bare face, bold lip, great skin care – DONE! Thanks for sharing your thoughts + lots of love! xoxo
Elizabeth 07/13/15
I’m a lot like you, Nitika. I love makeup (always looking for the best and most natural products). I think it’s a great way to express myself and I truly enjoy putting it on. But I agree that it is great to go without it. I struggled with cystic acne for years and wouldn’t dream of going without makeup. But after clearing my skin by eliminating dairy, grains and refined sugar, my skin has never been better. So I actually look forward to going without makeup from time to time. Thanks for a great post!
Nitika 07/13/15
Wow, Elizabeth, what a treat that you can show off your skin to the world now and feel so confident. I love that + can totally relate with that feeling after dealing with my Psoriasis for so long. And YES diet majorly plays a part so good for you, for figuring that out. Keep it up, beauty! Lots of love xoxo
SM 10/06/15
What about sunblock / spf? I use a very sheer CC cream with a SPF and that’s my “make-up” on most days. But, I still have to take it off when I get home.
Nitika 10/06/15
Yes SPF is SUPER important! Thanks for the reminder 🙂 I use a moisturizer that has SPF in it, and I was my face every night so it goes right off with it. It doesn’t need the same kind of pressure as removing mascara does though so keep applying it for sure! Lots of love xx