The Money Mustache Community

General Discussion => Throw Down the Gauntlet => Topic started by: RoseRed on February 17, 2012, 03:08:09 AM

Title: Make-up free for a month
Post by: RoseRed on February 17, 2012, 03:08:09 AM
I got conjunctivitis at the end of January and decided that rather than replacing my mascara straight away, I'd do without makeup for the whole of February to see what I would be happy to do without in the future. I've never been the sort of person who always wears make-up (most of mine is several years old), but I've found it surprisingly hard not to wear any at all. So far, the main things i've realised are that I need more sleep, that my dry and allergy-prone skin makes it worthwhile spending a bit extra on skincare, and that a bit of exercise outdoors is a surprisingly good way to look and feel good.

Does anyone want to join me in ditching the facepaint for a while?
Title: Re: Make-up free for a month
Post by: Mrs MM on February 17, 2012, 11:56:15 AM
Woohoo!!  I love this challenge!  :)

I use burt's bees skin cream (on legs and face after shower) since my skin can get very dry here in Colorado, but otherwise I hardly ever wear make-up.  But, I do have light brown/olive skin and dark hair/eyelashes, so some people claim this is easier for me than for most. 

Keep me posted on your progress!
Title: Re: Make-up free for a month
Post by: Shandi76 on February 17, 2012, 12:07:33 PM
I won't be wearing any make-up this month. But I can't really claim it's a challenge since I pretty much never use it anyway.

Does hair dye or getting your eyelashes dyed count as make-up?
Title: Re: Make-up free for a month
Post by: onehappypanda on February 17, 2012, 02:34:03 PM
Nice challenge! I actually did this a couple years back both because I wanted to see if it would help my hormonal acne (it did) and because I don't like feeling dependent on facepaint to feel nice.

Finding a good moisturizer is key, I've found. Doesn't have to be pricey, I've been using plain old Cera Ve when it's cold and Earth Science Almond and Aloe when it's warm. Both are simple, cheap, and help prevent dryness and irritation issues (and the redness/bumps that come with).
Title: Re: Make-up free for a month
Post by: Eristheunorganized on February 27, 2012, 07:23:28 PM
Damn, I don't wear makeup, so I can't participate. I will say this- As someone really pale, sometimes my under eyes are very sad and purple in the morning. They get better as the day goes on. Get sleep, stay hydrated, etc.
Title: Re: Make-up free for a month
Post by: Parizade on February 28, 2012, 06:39:26 AM
I tried this once but my coworkers started giving me discount coupons for makeup along with "comments." I have very nice skin so I was surprised anyone even noticed, but where I work even the men get professional manicures and pedicures. The natural look stands out and is not appreciated.
Title: Re: Make-up free for a month
Post by: MsLogica on February 28, 2012, 09:57:33 AM
I have dark, long eyelashes so I don't wear much mascara, but I do wear concealer most days when I'm out and about.  I will do this challenge too though, and try and stop all concealer usage for March!
Title: Re: Make-up free for a month
Post by: MsLogica on February 28, 2012, 09:59:28 AM
I tried this once but my coworkers started giving me discount coupons for makeup along with "comments." I have very nice skin so I was surprised anyone even noticed, but where I work even the men get professional manicures and pedicures. The natural look stands out and is not appreciated.

Wow, really?  I would've told the person where to go if someone did that to me!  I work for an environmental charity though and most the men in my office don't even change out of outdoor clothes to come in the office unless they have an important meeting!
Title: Re: Make-up free for a month
Post by: fruplicity on February 29, 2012, 02:31:05 PM
I can certainly identify with Eristheunorganized - I didn't wear makeup until age 25 when people started asking me almost every day if I was sick, sad, and/or overtired. I got sick of that so I started wearing makeup to work only (and the rare fancy night out). Literally takes 2 minutes to apply in the morning (mineral concealer & foundation, light mascara & blush). Costs about $75/year. And honestly I surprise myself more than once by my own reflection - it really does look much nicer in the mirror with the makeup than without, though I prefer the natural look any day. ("Looking nice" doesn't equal "truly happy and content" for me, but I understand for some people it does).

Uh oh, now I'll have to decide whether or not to wear makeup to my first MMM meetup... ha!
Title: Re: Make-up free for a month
Post by: Mrs MM on February 29, 2012, 08:25:24 PM
Uh oh, now I'll have to decide whether or not to wear makeup to my first MMM meetup... ha!

Haha!  Good one.

So, how's the challenge going ladies?  It sounds like most of those who have signed up already don't wear much make-up.  It would be interesting to hear from someone that does wear make-up regularly...

I haven't worn any yet.  Sometimes I wear a little when I go out, but I will try not to this month.

Long ago, in the "eliminating lady temptations" post (http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/06/05/mrs-money-mustache-eliminating-lady-temptations/), Christine made the following comment, which I really stayed with me:

Quote
I am a month into my own “No Makeup Challenge,” with guidelines boiled down from your pointers– in addition to giving up my daily makeup mask there’s been plenty of sleep, exercise, and apple-eating in my routine. Ever since teenage-hood I it seemed that I was an ideal vessel for pimples, but in the last few weeks my skin has almost completely cleared up. So it appears that my problem was self-inflicted. Now, in addition to saving money I am looking better. The simplicity is perplexing! But in fact it’s so obvious– of course the chemicals I’ve been packing into my pores to cover imperfections were only worsening those very imperfections. My skin was crying out for oxygen and I responded by smothering it with more goopy chemicals. The scenario borders on irony!
Title: Re: Make-up free for a month
Post by: RoseRed on March 02, 2012, 01:37:28 PM
I have now done without make-up, and am actually very, very glad to be wearing it again. In an ideal world i would probably have a healthy glow instead of  a greyish pallor and undereye shadows but in this climate and with my toddler's sleep habits, it's nice to be able to fake it.  I love my tinted moisturiser and feel that ten pounds every six months or so is worth not having people ask if I'be been ill every time they see me.