Makeup-Free Monday.
I’m going a tiny bit off topic for just a minute. I know, I know…why is a blogger who promotes colour talking about going without it for one day a week?
It’s something I’ve decided to do for myself and I thought I’d share.
Like most people these days (and possibly Mums the most), I try to reduce the impact of harmful chemicals in my life. It’s fair to say I don’t buy all of my vegetables from organic sources and I’m sure there’s more I can do to reduce the chemicals in my cleaning products as there are still 2 or 3 that I can’t bear to part with (damn you, Exit Mould). It wasn’t until I read some articles recently (and a colourful infographic) that it hit home I was using them somewhere I hadn’t really thought about – on my body!
After looking around the internets, I found this post by The Beauty Bean. They created Makeup-Free Monday a few years back and I like the idea so much that I’ve decided to join in! It’s something small and easy that I can do to make a difference in my life.
Today was day one and I’ve gotta say, it was a toughie. On weekends I don’t really wear makeup but Monday is a work day for me and it was surprisingly daunting. I was soooo self-conscious. It was like I was back in school with a face full of acne and I wanted to hide away underneath my hair. I found it hard making eye contact with my workmates! Who’d have thought I’d still have those sorts of insecurities as a grown adult?! Anyway, it became clear pretty quickly that noone seemed to mind (or maybe even notice?) and it didn’t seem that big a deal. Maybe I don’t need makeup as much as I thought I did!
I thought of other positive reasons why this would be something to keep up:
• It’s only one day a week but it reduces my exposure to synthetic chemicals (P.S I do use a natural foundation and mineral face powder but I’ll be damned if I can find a decent natural mascara…any recs you might have are very welcome)
• I’d like one day a week to just be me
• It’ll save me money
• I can use that 15 minutes a day to spend on something more fun (or maybe even sleep in)
• I’m interested to see how people react to me on the days I DO have makeup on…will they comment about how much better I look?
• It’ll inspire me to wear more colourful clothes and accessories to add colour!
Anyhoo from now on I’ll be joining in the Makeup-Free Monday. If you’re keen to try it too, let me know and we can cheer each other on! Here is my first no-photoshopping, no filter, no makeup photo. It’s not THAT hideous really… I can so do this…
You know what, I think you look great! I’m reading the beauty myth at the moment, and realising that I’m really very comfortable in my own skin, warts and all as you said. I’m vastly more than a red lipstick and very proud of a face that carries all my joys and sadnesses from a really interesting and fun life.
Hey, you look great in that photo! Maybe you ought to go makeup free more often, lol!
I guess I must be one of the few ladies out there who goes makeup-free nearly al the time so the idea of Makeup-free Monday is a bit obsolete to me, but I personally like the idea for the very same reason that I go makeup-free – to let our inner beauty shine and to love being who we are!