You know, I often read posts like “10 minute makeup” or “How to do the no-makeup look” which, if you ask me is commendable. There is something to be said for wearing makeup, even if very minimal makeup. In many ways, just a touch of powder to reduce shine, or a touch of base to even out skintone, or just drawing in brows can make a subtle and flattering difference to how we look and how we face the world; and face it, how the world perceives us.
But I was wondering also if you put on your “face” every time you head out the door, even if just for a grocery run? Does it matter to you to have to have some makeup on when you leave the house, or do you just walk out the door au naturele? How often do you leave the house bare-faced?
Generally, if it’s a working day, I put on my war paint. Some days, I wear a little less. Other days, I wear a little more or I put on something a little more dramatic. But I always have the whole she-bang done – foundation, eye makeup, brows, cheeks, lips.
But come the weekend or a non-working day, I generally don’t wear makeup so I do leave the house bare-faced quite often. No, I don’t even bother to do my brows LOL! If you do happen to bump into me outside, the odds are that I’d not have any makeup on, unless I was out for something special.
Occasionally, I may wear some BB or CC Cream just to even out my skintone, if it is looking extra blotchy or if my dark circles are on view but I don’t really bother with concealer so blemishes are usually out on view. Sometimes, I wear a light blush and I may occasionally even do my brows *gasp* but I rarely will have eye makeup on because that for me is just too much like work 😛
In case you’re wondering, no, I do not have very good nor even perfect skin. But I do work hard at maintaining my skin and keeping it in as good a condition as it can be. For me that means keeping it well hydrated and well taken care off, because in my experience, well hydrated skin will take care of itself and reward me with less redness and blotchiness, breakouts and even my pigmentation doesn’t look as prominent (I don’t currently use whitening products).
So that’s me. Let’s hear from you.
How often do you leave the house bare-faced? Do you wear makeup every day?
I’m bare-faced most weekends so if you do see me and wonder “And she calls herself a beauty blogger?” Let’s just say that I’m not your regular beauty blogger LOL! I’m first and foremost, me 🙂
Paris B
Philippe says
DAILY! 😀
Paris B says
LOL!! Only to be expected, Phil and you take such excellent care of your skin anyway!
lisa says
I have three variations for “no makeup”. Completely no makeup if I’m so, so, so ill. Level 2 of no makeup means at least a powerful serum + moisturizer to have healthy looking skin plus some minimal brow powder. Or Level 3 of my usual “no makeup” look is always some liquid foundation to conceal/ Lancome CC cream with some light powder to set, a tiny bit of blush plus a thin coat of mascara and minimal brow powder .
Paris B says
Teehee I love your 3 levels of “no makeup” looks! To an extent, I have a similar sort of variation except mine is more like your 1st and 3rd because when I don’t bother with a base, I don’t bother with anything else! 😀
synical says
Makeup during the work week, but mostly foundation, powder, blush and brows. I don’t have the patience for eye makeup and with my dumb luck I’ll end up rubbing my eyes forgetting that I’ve got eye makeup on.
Weekend – sunblock, with perhaps some BB cream or whatever. Unless I have to go to a theatre or some other performing arts space (where you sometimes see locally famous peoples).
Paris B says
Haha you are a prime candidate for cream shadow or those stick shadows! Even if you rub them, they won’t budge 😉 Yeah, if I were going out for an event or just something, then I’d put on some makeup – lighter than for work though. Strangely, I probably put on the most makeup to go to work although it doesn’t even look that way LOL!
Liz says
I wear makeup every single day but only because I wanted to finish my stock of foundations, powders, blushers, BB/CC creams and lipsticks as quickly as possible so I can buy more new products to try on. Its a vicious cycle.
Having said that, I’m still a very light makeup user so I really don’t look very different with or without makeup. I just like the feeling of having some colour on my lips and cheeks whenever I’m out.
Ting says
hear! Hear! 🙂
Paris B says
Hahha I love your justification Liz, both for wearing makeup and for buying more! 😀 As I was telling some of the other ladies in their comments, I am all for wearing a little makeup just to enhance our features and to make us look better, not to transform how we look totally. For the most part, I’m sure most of us look the same with or without makeup. I know I do (or at least I hope I do!) But it’s nice to have brows that look groomed and eyes that look a bit more awake doesn’t it? 🙂
Kate says
Great topic! And it’s nice to know you embrace the ‘au naturel’ look 🙂 I always think that your skin looks pretty darn good in the ‘before’ shots 😀
As for me, I put on light makeup when I’m going for coffee with girlfriends, and a more intense eye if I’m going out somewhere more ‘social’ or ‘cultural’. But even then my makeup is on the lighter side. I only ever use BB and CC creams, because I dislike the heavy feeling of foundation (and that I can never find a light enough shade..I enjoy being pale!)
Sometimes, if I’m running errands and I’m in a good mood, I’ll put on a light layer of sunscreen and powder on top, and do a cheeky little rosy eye to brighten my face. Otherwise, if it’s a day where I don’t have any business to do, I’ll stay away from makeup. If I’m feeling particularly dull, I’ll slap on a lip tint, a bit of gloss and I’m good to go!
I feel like keeping my face relatively makeup-free every other day keeps it looking extra clear and young! I used to wear makeup almost every day when I started university, and I noticed that my eyes would look very tired every morning, and there would be thin lines around my mouth. Now that I’ve switched to lighter makeup and more ‘vacation’ days for my skin, the wrinkles have all but disappeared and I look quite decent from the get go!
My little sister (14 now) wears makeup on a daily basis, and won’t listen to my advice to keep it light and only occasional…it’s starting to take a toll on her skin!
Paris B says
Thank you Kate! 😀 I love that you wear just a little makeup to enhance your features because I think that’s ultimately what makeup should do and why we should wear makeup. Just a little 🙂 So many people wear makeup hoping to change their looks and that I think is approaching makeup from the wrong angle but then who are we to say so right? Ultimately so long as it makes us happy then that should be sufficient. As for your sister, I think you’re good to advise her to take it easy with the makeup but if she won’t listen, then get her to be sure to remove it properly and cleanse her skin well because I don’t think wearing makeup is bad, but we do have to know how to remove and cleanse and then it’ll be alright 🙂
Ting says
Whoa… readers comments here confirmed my long-time observations: Malaysian ladies wear little makeup!! :p
Like Liz above, I try to finish my stock of those cream products (usually base and lipsticks) and this is sort of a motivation to apply makeup. I am still learning any tips and tricks about applying makeup. Sometimes I see a picture in blogs / internet of some look I like, and I would try it the next day. So it’s also motivating me to practice, practice, practice on myself. HAHAHAHA
For both reasons of (1) finish the stock and (2) practice, I think I wear makeup on most days now. Whether the look is more heavy or less depending on what’s planned in that day. The only time I wouldn’t put any makeup on (not even foundation or BB/CC cream) is when I go for exercise or to the park with kids. There isn’t any point. But after exercise and when I still have time, I would practice on myself. :p
For work, I am adventurous on the days that I don’t have meetings. HAHAHA. Don’t want to scare people here, do I? 😛
Paris B says
It’s a personal observation too Ting! Yes, most women here don’t wear makeup on a daily basis and I notice it when I’m out. But I also notice that there is a growing group of women who DO wear makeup but put on too much so I’m hoping that one day the 2 groups will eventually meet in the middle HAHA! I do notice how diligent Thai ladies are in putting on some makeup. Even street vendors take the trouble and I really salute them for making the effort! You’re so diligent to actually practice putting on makeup. I often look at pictures and think “Wow! That looks amazing” but I never make the effort to practice LOL Thanks for reminding me I should!
Romana says
Yes. Always. Sometimes just some sunblock and lipbalm.
But I make an effort to put on makeup now cos you know…I need to actually use up all my makeup to justify buying some more.
Paris B says
And we know that’ll never happen right? Finishing I mean hehe… 😉
jk says
It’s serious war paint for formal work days. That’s a 45 minutes paint job. In my younger (ahem) days, the war paint just took about less than 15 minutes.
Once I am on leave (but still trot into work) or during the weekends – it’s just toner, serum (and moisturizer if I remember) and now I throw in a sunblock if I expect to out in the sun a bit more. Maybe a swipe of a blusher if there’s a dinner of sort but definitely some colored lip balm or something. But generally on weekends – there’s no real camouflage. When I had to meet one of my clients for the first time on a weekend sans war paint, she did a double take. She recovered and said “oh.. you look so different”. My office colleagues are more used to the no war paint look on weekends so they react/recoil or say anything.
With or without – there’s easily a 40 minute saving of time between them = more snooze time..
Paris B says
haha I hear ya JK, as I age, it takes a little more time to try to hide all the little flaws that probably only we see eh? 😉 I totally hear ya on the time saved to spend on sleep. After all, they don’t call it beauty sleep for nothing right? 😀
Angela says
For work I might put on just a little powder to even out my skin tone and a little brow wax to define my brows, but I go bare-faced quite often actually! 😀 I decided to focus a little more on my skin care a few months ago so now I feel more confident about going out makeup-less because my actual skin looks better.
“I’m bare-faced most weekends so if you do see me and wonder “And she calls herself a beauty blogger?”” <— this is how I feel all the time too
Paris B says
LOL I’m so glad I”m not the only one who feels a little odd for being a beauty blogger and then admitting that I’m not always groomed. Or at least not always with a full face on. There are all these funny blogging norms forced on us that makes it a little weird sometimes. But that said, I’m just like you. Having made the effort to focus on getting better skin, I’m now reaping the rewards and covering that up just feels sacrilegious! 😀
Peiqing says
HAHA!
I am not sure is this part of ageing (AKA bochup about image) or just too much false confidence for me.
Lately, I can’t help going completely bare-skinned on certain days even at work – but that’s only on the days I am post-shift (sleep-wreck/deprived overnight) and having to work continually the next morning, or for a quick half-day work round for me on a weekend. When I am post-shift, my skin is usually horridly zapped and oily, no matter how I cleanse – no foundation can cover the tired skin appropriately without looking withered or cakey. So I think it’s better off bare-skin and rest for the remainder of the day. I also certainly try to let my skin breathe easy for >24hrs (and 48hrs) during the weekend if possible.
Self-image – adieus! Stratum corneum recuperatos!
Paris B says
ROFLOL!! “bochup about image” Ahem, that’s me 😛 If I were working the hours you are Peiqing, I don’t think I’d even bother with wearing makeup! Seriously! You are right about skin looking a bit nuts with sleep deprivation. When that happens to me, I look like crap too and no amount of makeup can cover that.
dain says
During weekdays, between running to the nursery to send my baby and the office, I rarely put my makeup on. If I feel like doing so, I do it as soon as I reach the office. On weekends, depending on my baby’s behaviour, i have BB cream, eyeliner and mascara. If im lucky enough, foundation, eyeshadows and the brows;)
Paris B says
That sounds like pretty good time management to me, with a baby in tow, Dain 🙂 Some women don’t even bother!
ShopGirl says
I have sensitive skin and can’t get away with a fully made up face every day but I do opt for light base makeup on days when I feel like it and go without when I can (not working) or if I have to – that is, those days when the skin is misbehaving and I have to let it ‘breathe’.
That said, I literally have to wear a lipstick or cream all-the-time because I would otherwise look like the walking dead without these pigments. Indeed, I am plagued with a serious lack of natural lip colouring. Brow powder is another must have. Wish it wasn’t but scatty half-brow ain’t pretty, my dear.
Possibly the only cosmetics I skip most of the time is eyeshadow and mascara. Apparently, I’ve been told I look like a crazy panda with heavy eye makeup so there goes the ambitions there.
This doesn’t really explain why I have so many eye palettes in my stash but hey, if I can’t wear it, I still fully intend to collect them for purely selfish, indulgent, hoardy and maniacal reasons muahahaha!
Paris B says
I hear ya on the walking dead SG! I am fortunate in that my lips aren’t pale, so I can get away with nothing on if I’m going bare faced but it sounds like you’ve got your routine down pat! Eye makeup takes some getting used to IMO, but you know, one really easy way to ease into wearing eyeshadow, I’ve learned, is to use a light cream shadow. They’re usually easier to handle than powder and if you smudge them out, it’s easy to pass off a simple eye look. I don’t wear mascara anymore. I know it’s a little surprising, but I just felt my lashes were dying and I was seeing potential fine lines appearing from cleaning off the mascara so I’d rather go without and save my eyes 😉
xin says
most of the time i leave house with naked face >< ooops! Not even bb cream, but i do use blusher and lipsticks on most days to fake some colors on my face 😀
Paris B says
But you can get away with it coz your skin is pretty even toned! >.<
Little bits of now says
I only wear make up two days per week for work. While the rest of the days, I often walk out without make up on. =)
Paris B says
You work just 2 days in a week? Lucky you! 😉 I’d not wear makeup on other days too in your shoes 🙂
Efrain says
Maybe as a guy I\’ll have a different idea, but I put on makeup depending of my time and mood, so I\’ve been to university or running errands bare-faced or with full makeup on.
This topic made me think of these Buzzfeed post:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/erinlarosa/things-you-learn-when-you-dont-wear-makeup-for-a-week#327l312
http://www.buzzfeed.com/maycie/what-i-learned-when-i-started-wearing-makeup-for-a-week?bffb
Paris B says
Haha thanks for sharing your point of view from that of a guy Efrain 😀 You know, until you and a couple of other guys started commenting on my blog, I didn’t even know there were guys out there who are comfortable wearing some makeup if only just to make themselves look better. I think it’s brave and also very interesting! 😀
Efrain says
Well, you’re right, there aren’t many guys using makeup, first it was because it made me feel better but now it’s just because I like it (and maybe I’m a little addicted to beauty products? 😉 )
Paris B says
Haha it’s a good addiction, Efrain 🙂
Tracy says
My decision on whether or not I’m going to put on makeup before leaving the house, minimal or not depends on what I’m doing after work.
If I’m tired in the morning and know that I’ll be going straight home after work I won’t put a stitch of makeup on because all I’ll want to do is go home and crash and don’t want to be bothered with taking it off (yes it’s lazy but it’s better than falling asleep with it on).
If I know I’m going out after work (meet up with friends, heading to dinner with my husband etc) then I’ll take the time to put it on.
If I’m heading to Sephora or Ulta or any makeup counter for that matter and planning on trying new products then I won’t put on any makeup because I want a blank canvas. I’m also not fond of some of the makeup removers they tend to use so I’ll just put on moisturizer/sunscreen and head out the door.
Weekends are usually makeup free but only if I’m not heading out to meet up with friends for the night, dinner out etc.
I realize I’m pretty lucky because I’ve never had an issue with breakouts, hyper-pigmentation, blotchiness/redness and I’m almost 40 yrs old. I recently went to my 20 yr HS reunion and some of my former classmates told me either I hadn’t age at all or that I had aged well. I take care of my skin and try to use very little chemicals on my skin as possible. I was also slathered in sunblock on a daily basis from a very young age. But that’s just what works for me.
Paris B says
That’s such a logical way of thinking Tracy 🙂 And yes you are very lucky to not have a lot of the problems associated with aging skin – I’m jealous! 😀 And you raised a very good point about using sunblock religously. That is truly one of the secrets to having good skin and the first step of an anti-aging regimen!