Article by BR Natalie
A few weeks a go we ask for volunteers to go makeup free for a week, and the response, though divided, was overwhelming.
Well we chose three ladies and they bravely went where few women would dare to go - absolutely everywhere, without makeup, for a whole week.
Beauty Review members Ollypops, RubyRoux and Beandloveyoubeauty kept a journal of what they got up to and how it made them feel doing things without makeup. Here's our favourite excerpts from how they got on.
Beandloveyoubeauty.
Alisha went makeup free for a whole week - she even went to a ball, in full evening dress, without makeup!
Although my parents often see me without makeup, Mum was shocked to hear I had been a week without it, including work and the ball! I was proud to say I had done it, and felt a sence of achievement when Mum, knowing how hard it would've been, was shocked that it was something I had done and dusted! If you had told me a couple of weeks ago I would have laughed my head off and said it was something fit for a Tui board.
- That I rely on makeup more than I thought and more than I would like.
- That I am my biggest critic. 90% of the negative feelings I had come from my own self judgement.
- That I can do anything without makeup.
- That being comfortable in your skin is easier said than done, it takes time and practice. But it's worth it.
I did not realise how emotionally stressful this week would be. Don't get me wrong I'm so happy I did it but it was a week of feeling on edge. This week was very empowering for me and I hope that it might help other step out of their confit zone. It was worth every bit of stress to know I can do it. Other people don't care if I'm not wearing makeup and I can show my bare face and smile!
Ollypops
Saturday, waking up early to start getting ready, the day was perfect and shining! It was still the early morning and I was so bored, so I started putting up decorations outside, little did I know, it would then pour down with rain, ruining all the outside decorations! Around 12pm, my 2 favorite girls came around to help set up and get ready together! I patiently watched the girls putting on their make up, it was torture! All these pretty things to play with, yet I can’t use any of them! I was a little heart broken inside and a little green with envy. I put myself to use, and got to curling their hair. Knowing myself, I knew I didn’t need as much time to get ready, since doing my make-up was most of the time I used to get ready!
The night finally hit, and the people started coming :D
It was great fun, games of beer pong, four kings, and all these other hilarious games! I had to remind a few of the girls when they got red lipstick on their teeth, or eyeliner that’s smudged. It was a confident booster knowing I didn’t have any make up malfunctions because I wasn’t wearing any make up!
Through that whole night I felt good, had no worry about not wearing make up and I can totally say, just doing this #MakeUpFree challenge, Has given me so much confidence over the last few days.
Funday Sunday!
Heading to Burger King, I went for my hangover cure, 2 bbq rodeos and orange juice! Delicious brunch! Until I got home and realized that I had to clean my house! Eeeep.
I can’t say I will be going out anywhere else today, but I can tell you how excited I am to finally use my make up again tomorrow :D I’m actually over the moon that I’ve almost completed this! Just thinking about it, going make up free for a week is crazy! A great experience, a great thing to boost your self confidence and it was run by the best ladies known!
RubyRoux
I had a comment today from a friend that I need to ‘stop hiding behind makeup’, which was meant well but really annoyed me because I’m not hiding, I actually enjoy looking good and makeup is a hobby! I saw a variety of made-up and makeup free Mums today and I noticed this – I thought the made-up faces looked fantastic and wished I looked that good wearing makeup. I thought the makeup free faces looked fantastic and wished I looked that good without makeup. I also had a couple of great ideas for future challenges, a no hair product, no straightening week (probably no biggie for lots of people) and a walk around in a bikini every day for a week challenge ;)
On day 5 (Friday 17 October) I came down with an awful gastro bug, so I was too sick to even worry about being makeup free, let alone look in the mirror. What a disappointing end to the challenge!
I’ve learned some interesting things about myself this week. Firstly, I still prefer to wear makeup than go makeup free! It was definitely a confidence building exercise for me, but I like the extra brightness & definition that makeup brings to my face and makes me feel.
Next, my skin is probably a lot better than I think it is (which makes me happy) and no one cares how I look as much as I do, thank goodness!
Lastly, I can’t believe now how scared I was to go without makeup in front of other people. Really, really, unhappy about it and the way it would portray me. But I did it and I’m proud of myself and relieved that it’s over.
We'd like to thank our gorgeous volunteers for stepping out of their comfort zones and going makeup free for a week - we'll be sending you a thank you present too :)
So - what do you make of going makeup free for a week? Could you? Would you? Get chatting below!
Yay for them! They all look super gorgeous with and without it :)