How To Stop Wearing Makeup And Look Good

In early on 2018, the overarching theme of all content I produced fell under the idea of "perceptions of pretty." The aim was to take a deep dive into the history, etymology, and current-day perceptions of the discussion, "pretty." When brainstorming story ideas, information technology got me thinking nigh my own thoughts on the discussion and what makes me feel good about myself or, for lack of a better word, pretty.

Working in beauty, I, patently, accept a love for skincare and makeup products, some of which I rely on every single day to feel "washed." As my thoughts progressed, I thought it would be an interesting experiment to skip makeup altogether for ii whole weeks to see how information technology made me experience. Would I feel empowered? Lack confidence? Be able to slumber in an extra 15 minutes? Teeter on the border of embarrassment? These were all very possible outcomes I was willing to explore. At the end of my experiment, downward every thought and emotion that ran through my mind for the entirety of my barefaced journeying of cocky-discovery. I also took some iPhone photos for reference (that you can run across below).

For more on what it's similar to become makeup-costless for a week, continue scrolling.

The Baseline Makeup Routine

To provide a little context, I don't wear a lot of makeup by standard ways. No-makeup-makeup is my daily go-to, albeit accomplished with eight products (primer, foundation/cc foam, concealer, highlighter, forehead gel, mascara, lip lotion, and blush, to be exact). But for this, I quit cold turkey. I actually put it off for the starting time 2 weeks of February considering attending a calendar full of dazzler and social events barefaced made me experience broken-hearted (hence the missed deadline getting this in before the month'south end, whoops).

The Benefits of Going Makeup-Free

• An easier skincare routine

• No demand to remove makeup at the cease of the day

• Less time required to get ready each morning

Every bit mentioned, twenty-four hours one was great. I actually received a agglomeration of compliments because I had that post-facial glow and my eyebrows were on indicate. Only that mail-facial glow does non terminal forever. In the days that followed, I had a few tiny whiteheads ingather upwards that I had to clasp ever so gently with tissues wrapped effectually my fingers to avoid big red marks that I was unable to cover with concealer. And eyebrows! Luckily, Lien Davies of Brow Confidence (who does my brows) instructed me to use a bar of lather to brush them up, and seeing equally this isn't "makeup," I was able to go along this for the ii-week experiment (cue the fist pump). Only other than that, my routine consisted of sunscreen, and that's it. Cleansing at night was a breeze too, seeing as there was no makeup to remove.

Every morning I took 20 minutes less to get ready, and I am (kind of) proud to say that I only cheated once. I was filming a Facebook Live with Alli Webb from Dry out Bar, and I used a tiny bit of countenance crayon. Only, in my defence, I was otherwise completely arrant on the cyberspace for the world to see. For me, that was a relatively mettlesome act.

What to Expect When Going Makeup-Free

Overall, I felt great when I went makeup-gratis, though there were certainly moments where I would have done anything for a bit of concealer or a swipe of red lipstick. I had a particularly important work-related dinner event 1 nighttime during the experiment, and I admit that wearing nothing (surrounded by beautiful women who were made upwards) made me feel a little inadequate. I wished I had lipstick on or mascara, at the to the lowest degree. Another example is when I received a few photos of myself from a press event in my inbox. When I opened them, information technology was blatantly obvious (to me) that I was wearing no makeup. To see it staring straight dorsum at me (and not in the mirror) was pretty confronting.

But, on the other hand, I've probably never received more compliments on my skin than I have in the by two weeks. I'one thousand assuming it's considering everyone can come across my actual skin and not simply how it looks with a lilliputian aptly placed foundation. I was actually even called a "glow worm" by i of the girls in the industry. For someone who is pedantic about her pare, this was a pretty wonderful compliment.

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While I missed makeup, I felt empowered and confident coming out on the other side. I am actually still bare-faced as I write this and probably won't clothing any makeup to work tomorrow, either. The single greatest aspect of this experiment is how quickly I can be out the door to work in the morn. Skincare, Oribe Texturizing Spray ($48) in my hair, and I'm done. It's changed my morning routine for the ameliorate, that'due south for sure (I've started jade rolling again with my newfound time, and it'south and then skillful).

To get an idea of how much of a transformation going makeup-free really was, permit's accept a look at how my daily wait and routine changed. To begin, I've got a photo of my face entirely fabricated up (by Terry DeGunzburg, no less). I also have a blowout, and so my confidence was peaking. While it'due south a natural await, in that location is a highly skilled application of creams, liquids, and powders that had me all glowy and even-toned. Ah, the power of makeup, right?

Emily Algar

Before

Adjacent, we accept a photo of me bare-faced, taken on day one. But, I will disclose that the night earlier, I'd had a facial with Melanie Grant (and a good for you splash of Biologique P50), and my eyebrows done by Davies. Also, the natural lighting in my bathroom is on point.

Emily Algar

Afterward

Beneath, I posted 1 three days prior, minus the lighting and plus a smattering of acne marks and pigmentation. If I'one thousand being honest, coming into this experiment, I was more than worried about not filling in my eyebrows than skipping foundation, simply I'll become to that later.

Emily Algar

The Concluding Takeaway

So, the answer to the million-dollar question is: Exercise I need makeup to feel pretty? No. Practice I experience prettier without it? Not always. And would I exercise it again? 100 percent. Merely another thought I had was about the word "pretty" itself. Looking dorsum, I'd probably rather sub it out for "confident," considering "pretty" is such a subjective and convoluted term. In short, I overall still felt capable and good most myself without my daily face pigment, and I'm pretty proud that I stuck it out.