What I Noticed After Going Makeup Free

In early 2018, the overarching theme of all content I produced fell under the thought of "perceptions of pretty." The aim was to take a deep swoop into the history, etymology, and current-24-hour interval perceptions of the word, "pretty." When brainstorming story ideas, it got me thinking nearly my ain thoughts on the word and what makes me feel good about myself or, for lack of a better give-and-take, pretty.

Working in dazzler, I, obviously, accept a dearest for skincare and makeup products, some of which I rely on every single twenty-four hours to feel "washed." Every bit my thoughts progressed, I thought information technology would be an interesting experiment to skip makeup altogether for two whole weeks to meet how it made me experience. Would I feel empowered? Lack confidence? Exist able to sleep 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, down every thought and emotion that ran through my mind for the entirety of my bluff journeying of self-discovery. I as well took some iPhone photos for reference (that y'all can run into below).

For more than on what it'south like to go makeup-gratis for a week, keep scrolling.

The Baseline Makeup Routine

To provide a fiddling context, I don't wear a lot of makeup by standard means. No-makeup-makeup is my daily go-to, albeit accomplished with eight products (primer, foundation/cc cream, concealer, highlighter, brow gel, mascara, lip balm, and blush, to be exact). But for this, I quit cold turkey. I actually put it off for the first 2 weeks of Feb because attention a calendar full of beauty and social events bluff fabricated me feel anxious (hence the missed deadline getting this in before the calendar month's end, whoops).

The Benefits of Going Makeup-Complimentary

• An easier skincare routine

• No need to remove makeup at the end of the day

• Less time required to get ready each morn

As mentioned, day one was great. I really received a bunch of compliments because I had that post-facial glow and my eyebrows were on betoken. But that post-facial glow does not concluding forever. In the days that followed, I had a few tiny whiteheads crop upward that I had to squeeze always so gently with tissues wrapped around my fingers to avoid big cerise 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 upwardly, and seeing equally this isn't "makeup," I was able to continue this for the two-week experiment (cue the fist pump). Just other than that, my routine consisted of sunscreen, and that's information technology. Cleansing at night was a cakewalk too, seeing every bit there was no makeup to remove.

Every morning time I took 20 minutes less to get ready, and I am (kind of) proud to say that I only cheated one time. I was filming a Facebook Alive with Alli Webb from Dry Bar, and I used a tiny bit of countenance crayon. Just, in my defence force, I was otherwise completely blank-faced on the cyberspace for the world to meet. For me, that was a relatively courageous act.

What to Expect When Going Makeup-Free

Overall, I felt great when I went makeup-free, though in that location were certainly moments where I would have done anything for a chip of concealer or a swipe of carmine lipstick. I had a specially important work-related dinner event one night during the experiment, and I admit that wearing nix (surrounded by cute women who were made upwards) made me experience a little inadequate. I wished I had lipstick on or mascara, at the least. Another example is when I received a few photos of myself from a press upshot in my inbox. When I opened them, information technology was blatantly obvious (to me) that I was wearing no makeup. To see it staring directly back at me (and not in the mirror) was pretty confronting.

Simply, on the other hand, I've probably never received more compliments on my pare than I accept in the by two weeks. I'm bold it's considering everyone can run into my bodily skin and not just how it looks with a niggling aptly placed foundation. I was actually even called a "glow worm" by one of the girls in the manufacture. For someone who is pedantic almost her pare, this was a pretty wonderful compliment.

Oribe Dry Texturizing spray $23.00

Shop

While I missed makeup, I felt empowered and confident coming out on the other side. I am really however bare-faced every bit I write this and probably won't wearable any makeup to work tomorrow, either. The unmarried greatest attribute of this experiment is how apace I can be out the door to work in the morning. Skincare, Oribe Texturizing Spray ($48) in my hair, and I'1000 washed. It'south changed my morning time routine for the better, that's for sure (I've started jade rolling again with my newfound time, and it'southward so good).

To go an idea of how much of a transformation going makeup-gratuitous actually was, permit's take a look at how my daily look and routine changed. To begin, I've got a photo of my face up entirely made up (by Terry DeGunzburg, no less). I also have a blowout, so my conviction was peaking. While information technology'south a natural expect, in that location is a highly skilled application of creams, liquids, and powders that had me all glowy and even-toned. Ah, the ability of makeup, right?

Emily Algar

Before

Side by side, we have a photo of me arrant, taken on day one. But, I will disclose that the nighttime before, I'd had a facial with Melanie Grant (and a healthy splash of Biologique P50), and my eyebrows done by Davies. Too, the natural lighting in my bath is on point.

Emily Algar

After

Beneath, I posted ane three days prior, minus the lighting and plus a smattering of acne marks and pigmentation. If I'm existence honest, coming into this experiment, I was more worried about not filling in my eyebrows than skipping foundation, but I'll go to that later.

Emily Algar

The Last Takeaway

So, the respond to the million-dollar question is: Do I need makeup to feel pretty? No. Do I feel prettier without it? Not always. And would I exercise it again? 100 percent. Merely another thought I had was virtually the word "pretty" itself. Looking back, I'd probably rather sub it out for "confident," because "pretty" is such a subjective and convoluted term. In brusk, I overall even so felt capable and good near myself without my daily face paint, and I'm pretty proud that I stuck it out.