I used to wear a full face of makeup on a daily basis because it made me feel more confident and comfortable. However, in the past few years, the #nomakeup movement and celebrities like Alicia Keys have inspired me to embrace my bare face. Makeup can be expensive, time-consuming to apply, and may even contain harmful ingredients. For me, the downsides of wearing makeup started to outweigh the benefits, so I decided to simplify my beauty routine. Here are eight reasons why I ditched makeup for good and learned to love my natural looks.
1. It’s Expensive
If you want to wear a full face of makeup, you’ll need half a dozen or more products to complete your look. The cost of eyeliner, mascara, foundation, concealer, blush, and lip products can really add up. Plus, you may want to purchase eyeshadow, makeup brushes, primers, finishing sprays, and makeup removal products.
Higher-end brands like Nars and Dior have gotten prohibitively expensive. A single item like lipstick or concealer can cost $30 to $50 or more. Multiply that times the amount of products in your routine, and you’re looking at a hefty bill. Although you can save some money by going with drugstore brands, eliminating makeup altogether may be better for your finances.
2. Makeup Can Worsen Acne
If you struggle with acne, your makeup routine could be making things worse. Many cosmetics are comedogenic, which means they can clog your pores and potentially cause breakouts. Forgetting to take your makeup off or using dirty makeup brushes can also contribute to your acne problems. When I stopped wearing makeup and simplified my skincare routine, I noticed a significant improvement in my skin. For me, this is one of the main benefits of not wearing makeup.
3. It’s Time-Consuming
Another reason to embrace your bare face is the amount of time you’ll save. On average, I spent 20 to 30 minutes per day applying makeup. For special events, I’d take even more time to perfect my eyeliner and eyeshadow, sometimes wasting up to an hour at my makeup vanity. Although experimenting with makeup can be a fun hobby for some, for others it’s a time-consuming hassle. If you fall in the latter camp, you may want to consider eliminating your makeup routine entirely and reclaiming that time instead.
4. Gain Natural Self-Confidence
When you first stop wearing makeup after years of daily use, looking at your bare face in the mirror can feel a bit foreign or jarring. You may focus on perceived flaws that are normally covered, like acne and dark circles. But over time, you get used to the way you look au naturale, and even come to appreciate little quirks you might’ve disliked before. Embracing my bare face has given me a greater appreciation for my freckles and rosy cheeks, which I used to cover up with foundation. Ditching your makeup could help you see your natural beauty too and develop greater self-assurance and confidence.
5. Better Eye Health
According to the University of Colorado, certain cosmetics can potentially hurt eyes and worsen some eye conditions. Failing to properly remove your eye makeup at the end of the day can cause flakes to fall into your eye, creating irritation or scratches. Using mascara that’s old or expired can also expose your eyes to bacteria or allergens. Applying eyeliner to your waterline can even exacerbate dry eye disease. While proper application and removal can help mitigate the negative consequences of cosmetics, I prefer to avoid these risks entirely by embracing my bare face.
6. Helps Me Avoid Animal Testing
Unfortunately, many cosmetics are tested on animals to ensure the formulations are safe. If you enjoy wearing makeup and want to avoid this practice, luckily you can purchase products from cruelty-free brands. However, in my experience, cruelty-free products tend to be more expensive. If you can’t afford the price tag, an alternative is to simply downsize or eliminate your makeup routine. Reducing the number of products you use and embracing your bare face more often will help you save money and avoid contributing to animal testing.
7. Less Exposure to Potentially Harmful Ingredients
According to the Environmental Working Group, some beauty products contain potentially harmful ingredients. Chemicals like formaldehyde and methylene glycol appear in certain types of cosmetics and may be carcinogenic. Additionally, parabens used to preserve cosmetics could disrupt hormones and potentially damage the reproductive system. In order to limit my exposure to these and other possible toxins, I’ve stopped wearing makeup and embraced my bare face.
8. Sets a Good Example for Young Girls
As a child, my mom refused to leave the house without makeup on. If your kids never see you go out without cosmetics, they may get the impression that bare faces aren’t good enough to be seen in public. Part of the reason I embrace my bare face is to set a positive example of self-acceptance for my younger relatives. Hopefully, my influence will help the girls embrace their natural beauty and teach the boys not to expect full glam makeup from women in their life.
Makeup Is a Personal Choice
Deciding whether or not to wear makeup is a personal choice. There’s nothing wrong with wearing makeup frequently or even daily. However, it’s important to reevaluate our relationship with cosmetics every now and then to ensure it’s still serving us. Putting on makeup can become such an ingrained part of our routine that we don’t even think about it anymore. Instead of letting this habit fly under the radar, check in with yourself occasionally to make sure you’re still happy with your beauty regimen.