Embrace Your Face!

Wear your makeup, don’t let your makeup wear you.

Up until just a couple of months ago, I rarely left the house without at least a touch of makeup on. My biggest insecurity being my skin. Before leaving the house I had to at the very least layer on some foundation and mascara. I just didn’t feel myself without it.

It had gotten to a point where I no longer recognized myself without makeup. I didn’t think I was beautiful unless I was dolled up. I was scared for people to see the face underneath the veil.

Then, a couple of months ago- I reached my breaking point.

I had just started my current job and it was more fast-paced and physically demanding than I was used to. I’d wake up around 6 am to get ready for the day, most of the time consumed with a full-face makeup application. I’d spend the days run off my feet: stocking paper and other office supplies, collecting and distributing mail, and tending to the many (many) needs of a busy establishment. By the time I’d get back home around 5:30, my skin would be crawling with the urge to scrub all of my sweaty makeup off. It felt so extremely uncomfortable to have layers of foundation on my skin after an active day. The relief of taking my makeup off after work was unparalleled. To top it off, my skin underneath the mask was angrier than ever. I’ve always dealt with acne, but it had become much more persistent and painful due to the amount of makeup I was wearing and the activity I was doing while wearing it.

The thing that used to make me feel beautiful was literally becoming a pain in my face.

That’s when I decided to dramatically lessen the amount of makeup I wore to work. I eliminated all skin products from the equation. Mascara and an eyebrow pencil became my  go-to tools.

The first few days were the hardest. I was worried people would notice and somehow allude to the fact that I didn’t look like myself. Would anyone even recognize me without my facial facade?

But guess what?

No one said anything. No one noticed.

And over time, after a couple weeks of adjusting to and embracing my new-bare face, I started to even prefer it. I hadn’t preferred myself without makeup in, well, ever.

Now, two months later, I can count on one hand the amount of times I’ve worn foundation. Not to say that there’s anything wrong with wearing makeup, or even wearing it everyday. Makeup should be fun, it truly is an art and it’s fun to create beautiful makeup looks. Wear as much or as little makeup as you want, but be mindful of it. Don’t wear it because you think you can’t go without it. I promise, you can. You are beautiful just as you are. If anyone makes you feel any lesser because you’re not wearing makeup, reconsider the worth of that person.

Embrace your face. Love yourself, love your skin, accept and embrace your flaws.

Me today- sharing my bare face, flaws and all, with the world. Embrace your face!