Is going bare-faced the new makeup trend? A bit of shake-em-up news in the celebrity and beauty world in the past week has to do with the decision of songstress Alicia Keys to stop wearing makeup for her photoshoots, performances and even on the red carpet it seems (you can read about it on the black hole time-sucker that is the Daily Mail LOL!).
I can understand how her stand makes a statement. As a celebrity, she’s always had makeup painted on her, and she’s judged on her apperances. You’d have to have makeup an inch thick, for it to be seen and to photograph well. I can understand therefore why she’d want to stop cold turkey and enjoy her new-found freedom from celebrity-pressure.
Good for her… except it means I’m out of a job if I’m blogging about makeup, and everyone follows her stance, aren’t I? LOL! 😀 So, I want you to weigh in with your thoughts – are you Team Makeup or Team No Makeup? Was there something that caused you to feel either way?
As I’ve oft stated, I started out using makeup very late in life, only when I started working. So, if you’re telling me that wearing makeup will cause you to have acne and break out, I’ll tell you it’s bollocks, because my makeup-free skin was doing a great job going crazy all by itself for the better part of my teen years and early 20’s without any help. Besides, if you clean your skin properly and have a proper cleansing regimen, there’s absolutely no merit to that old wife’s tale. I actually have much MUCH better skin now than I ever did 20 years ago.
Incidentally, I think what really puts people off wearing makeup isn’t so much the act of wearing makeup itself, but how much of it is put on the face. Personally, I feel that this is why some people give it up. Someone wearing thick, mask-like makeup that totally transforms how they look, doesn’t look that appealing up close. I’ve noticed this trend of thick makeup returning, with the rise in popularity of YouTube videos and Instagram that teach how to change the way you look.
Do note that in order for a makeup look to actually show up in a photograph, you will have to pile it on. In a photograph or on video, it may look natural. In person, it’s stage makeup and really has no place in everyday life. Due to the popularity however, people will perceive it as the norm, and draw the conclusion that wearing makeup = thick makeup in garish colours, with fake contours to an inch of your life. It puts even me off!
Yet, I’ll tell you that I’m Team Makeup, simply because I don’t look much different with makeup and without makeup, and I don’t pile it on with a trowel. Let me show you 😀
In this “no-makeup” makeup look, I’m wearing a cushion foundation, concealer, powder, blush, light lipstick, brow pencil and an eyeliner. Nothing thick nor cakey with no contouring to be seen anywhere, and it takes me all of 5 minutes or so. A little more if my brows or liner skills go on strike on that day.
Now you see why I don’t do makeup “tutorials”? I have nothing to teach anyone! 😀 All I can “teach” you is to look like a better version of yourself, sans complicated layers of primer, correctors, foundation, powders, highlighters, bronzers and crap like that 😛 Use them if you like, but don’t think it’s the norm to paint your face like a clown.
So I know what you’re thinking “If you don’t look different then why wear makeup?!”
My answer is this – I don’t wear makeup to look like a different version of me. I wear it because I enjoy it and it helps me look like a better version of me. Who cares if I look the same – I shouldn’t be looking any different with OR without makeup! LOL! 😀 I like how I look with makeup on – I look like myself; just a little more refined. What’s wrong with that? 😀 We talked once about whether enjoying makeup makes us vain and superficial and to be honest, so what if it does?! I think we could all do with a little vanity in our lives.
Besides, when you’re feeling like shit with blotchy tired skin, and have a huge thundercloud over your head weighing you down; and then someone tells you that you’re looking radiant, or that your complexion looks good, without realising you have on a little skintone evening base or a smidge of blush, that lifts your mood almost immediately.
Not all of us are blessed with clear, glowing, radiant skin. Sure, we all strive towards that. I strive towards that, and I’m very happy that the condition of my skin doesn’t tattle on my age. I walk out without makeup all the time. But I’m just as happy to spend that additional 10 minutes to put on some makeup, because I like it, not for anyone else.
So, is going bare-faced a new trend? I’d say no. Do I want the thick makeup trend to die? YES PLEASE!
Are you Team Makeup or Team No Makeup?
To be honest, I don’t think the issue here is really about wearing makeup, but how much makeup to wear. Unless you’re being photographed every time you leave the house, remember that less is more 😉 Ever since I taught myself how to wear basic, simple makeup, I’m Team Makeup all the way! 😀
Paris B
Jyoan says
I do what I like – makeup as usual. I go to work bare face daily. I throw on a bit of lipstick or tinted gloss every now and then. I put on makeup on days I have a presentation or someone special. Alicia Keys or Lock shall not stop me from wearing makeup when I want.
Paris B says
I think there’s more power to Alicia Keys for not wearing makeup, since she is so famous and will be photographed so much. The rest of us are kidding ourselves LOL! 😉 Nice to hear from you again Jyoan!
Firn says
I enjoy very subtle makeup. I guess it’s because I like following Asian beauty trends, especially those from Japan and Korea. When I was in Kyoto recently, I was marvelling at the fresh beautifully made up faces of the women there. The matte look was in vogue but nothing that looked cakey or heavy.
I personally cannot wear foundation or base all over because of my work (my mask will wipe off everything unevenly) so I use only tinted moisturizer or sunscreen. I advocate spot concealing for sure.
You should do a post on your brow routine! They look really good in the picture.
Paris B says
Oh I love Japanese makeup styles – they’re so subtle and pretty and delicate! I actually learned how to wear makeup from Japanese brands, because their products were so sheer, they were idiot proof! LOL Oh and don’t even get me started on how wonderful Japanese brand lipsticks are (I’m not much a fan of Korean makeup) But I do find that Japanese makeup tend to be very pricey when compared to their Western counterparts, and less interesting as time goes on 🙁 Thanks for the brow compliment! I don’t have a routine to be honest. I just swipe on a brow pencil, brush it off and hope for the best 😛
Angie says
Definitely team makeup. If I am blessed with good skin that behaves, I will be glad to skip makeup to save more money lol. But since I am blessed with ever breaking out skin, let’s pile it on! Putting on makeup for me is never about pleasing others, but its for making myself happy 🙂
Paris B says
You know, if we all had great skin, makeup companies would likely go out of business! haha! Fortunately for them, most of us will use at least a concealer or some sort of base, and then you need brows and then blush and the list goes on! 😀
Sook Shin says
Definitely team make up! Like what you said, putting make up on just to have a better version of yourself. On top of that, putting make up is kind of manners because you never want someone to see your tired and dull face as if you didn’t sleep for nights 😛
I do make up when I go to work daily but just very subtle make up (with concealer, eyeliner, mascara, a sheer of foundation and sometimes lipstick on) and people do tell me that I look prettier. Girls just wanna look good all the time. But for weekend, other than meeting up with friends, i just go out with my bare face scaring people around.
Paris B says
You are right, looking pretty whether for the public or for ourselves isn’t a crime. We should all be Team Makeup 😀