Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Do You Makeup?

I’m not a fan of waking up early every morning to stand in front of the mirror, painting an artificial beauty on my face. There are things in life I would much rather spend my time on . . . like sleep. As a mother of three, a full time employee at a job far away from home, and a writer, sleep is not something I get much of.

I’ve convinced myself my natural appearance is the real me, the me I should be showing the world because it’s the me I was born with, but I cannot deny how makeup makes me feel when I do decide to wear it.

Somehow the lotions and powders smooth my skin, erase the dark circles around my eyes, and make me look younger. (I know, I know, I’m not that old.) All of this gives me more confidence to hold my head high when I walk out of my house and go wherever it is I’m going on that occasional makeup wearing day.

But then a new problem arises: removal.

I can never seem to buy the right chemicals to remove the other chemicals from my cheeks, nose, chin, eyes, etc. So frustrating. The morning after I’ve dolled myself up, I peek in the mirror and look like a goth or emo having a bad day. (Not that there’s anything wrong with goth or emo.)

Most of the crap easily comes off, but it’s the stuff around the eyes that annoys me. So what do I do? I slap on more makeup because it’s easier to cover up the old stuff than wash it off.

The whole process turns into a vicious cycle, making me spend more money on more products and the owners of Bare Minerals that much richer.

Until I say enough and quit makeup cold turkey. Who cares if I go back to looking tired and pale? I get more sleep, spend less time shopping for Waterproof or Long-Lasting products, and I’m showing the world the real me, the me my husband and children love, the me that exists when I don’t care what anyone thinks.

That should be the me I show the world anyway. Anything else is a lie.

23 comments:

  1. You could just go without the mascara, no? I hardly wear mascara because of my contacts. I love weekends and going make-up FREE on some of them!

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  2. I just recently started wearing makeup again after 15 years without. I splurged on MAC makeup removing wipes...$30 for a pack of 100 that resembles baby wipes. But 1 takes off everything. You do have to give more attention to the eyes than the rest of your face, but you don't have to scrub. They're designed to take off MAC's products. Even waterproof comes off quickly.

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  3. The mascara is the part that makes me look the best, Lisa. :-) I think I'd rather just not wear it. I need the sleep anyway!

    $30 for 100 baby wipes to remove makeup? Maybe I should try baby wipes...*runs to kid #3's room* I'm going to try that when I get home!

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  4. It's hard to put on makeup no my days off, but each time I don't, I run into someone I know at Walmart! So I've made a vow to always wear it. And now I must go put some on.

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  5. I definitely agree that getting dolled up has its rewarding moments (i.e confidence, compliments...) but I totally agree with sleep being a great necessity. I'm a BIG advcate for sleep lol. But as long as you are happy with your appearance, ppl will embrace your look regardless

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  6. Well well well... If you get me started on the make up subject we won't stop talking about it until dawn. I so agree with you, but like any other female issue, this modern society gives women a much harder time than men, and for that, it's not only unfair, I say men should carry babies from now on. LOL

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  7. Shirley don't do it! You're beautiful just the way you are! haha

    Aww, Kimmy, let's be the makeup free coworkers!

    Men carrying babies...now there's an idea.

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  8. For me, it depends on my mood...

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  9. I'm laughing at myself...I just re-read this post and realized I spelled vicious wrong...it's been edited. LOL. Hope everyone will forgive me!

    And, Kellianne, my mood is almost always NO MAKEUP!

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  10. I have a skin care routine. Wash, hydrate, sunscreen, moisturizer etc. Takes me about 3 mins in the morning and 3 mins at night.

    I generally only wear eyeliner, and not even that every day. It's not something I feel I need, and I applaud you for getting more sleep :D

    (Let us know if the baby wipes work!)

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  11. A great way to get rid of makeup around your eyes is to use vaseline. It is gentle enough for the eyes and really works while it moisturizes too!

    Just wanted to help because I feel the same way most days.

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  12. I'll definitely let you know, K.T. :-)

    I think my mom used vaseline. Go figure!

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  13. Anonymous1/10/2012

    I can only get away with zero makeup if I hide away in the house all day. Blonde hair, light complexion, I need the brow and lash help or I have none! Not so pretty. You brunettes have it so much better. :P

    You're beautiful no matter what. I bet baby wipes would work. I've used them to get wine out of the carpet.

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  14. I just wear black eyeliner and a swipe of powder and it comes off super easy. I only wear make up fora night out, I think looking natural is far cuter.

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  15. To add yet another dimension to this engaging topic, the aging process gives yet more food for thought. It's a good idea to make peace with yourself early on, so that aging can release more wisdom than regret to each of us. I'm surprised at how comfortable I am with my "old" face and how focused I am on the wisdom.

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  16. I generally wear make-up but not a whole lot so it all comes off easily with the DHC Olive Oil Cleanser. Paula Begoun (Cosmetics Cop) says that any baby wipe will work as well as, if not better than, the wipes that claim to be made just for make-up removal. :)

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  17. Anonymous1/10/2012

    I definitely do make-up for work and social gatherings there are days however, I don't bother. If I am running on a lack sleep, make-up not coffee is the first to go. I brought some very lovely make-up removal cream from Avon. It wasn't expensive and it work.

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  18. Awww, Debra, you're beautiful too. We don't need makeup, we prefer it. LOL. Mostly I dread it. I'm getting used to how I look without it, but you can be damn sure I'll wear it for photos, get togethers, etc. LOL. But to work and regular events, NO WAY!

    Michelle I couldn't agree more. I think if more women didn't wear makeup we wouldn't feel the need TO wear it in the first place.

    Christina I'm with you...up until it's photograph time. ;-)

    I'm telling you, I've received some amazing suggestions for makeup removal. Makes me wonder what bad things people tried that DIDN'T work. lol

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  19. none for me please. I am a massage therapist by day and it would sweat off after the first massage it is so not worth it.

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  20. Anonymous1/10/2012

    Two words: Eyelash extensions. I got them put on a few weeks ago and it solved the mascara problem. No more waking up looking like Helena Bonham Carter! I'm a convert.

    Most days, I just swipe on some kohl eyeliner and blush before I run out the door. I wear makeup every day, but I'm very quick about it, and I almost never bother with foundation.

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  21. Interesting. I always wear mascara. I rarely have panda eyes. I'm sure I never wash it off properly. When it does become a problem (I wear contact lenses so eventually ity catches up with me) I have an eye makeup remover that works just great.

    It's interesting you say anything other than your natural appearance is a lie. My mother has a daily ritual that involves getting up, showering, breakfast, makeup and hair. Even if she has no particular plans to go somewhere. I have to confess I have the same, perhaps because I grew up with it and it's just the way it has always been. The only difference is I have learned to do the lot in ten minutes to avoid getting up any earlier than 5:45am on weekdays. For Mum, the makeup has been the reality so long I almost think it's become the truth.

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  22. I started following Hulda Clark's suggestions due to makeup being so toxic. I make eye shadow/liner from a charcoal pencil (from an art supply store), lip color from beet juice & coconut butter and curl my eyelashes with a curler. You can get creative with nature by drying colorful fruit & vegetables. At lease I don't worry now about cancer. I try not to use anything on my skin that I wouldn't drink. Check it out. But on the weekends or just around the house I don't use anything.

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  23. So glad to hear others feel ok about not wearing makeup! I have just never gotten into the habit, except for dates or job interviews. Saves time, saves money, and just makes me happier. Show your true face to the world! Our imperfections are part of who we are.

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