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When I was fourteen I used to put on makeup before leaving the house and had to find my way out of the house without facing my mother. This crazy ritual continued for the school year, I knew that my mother was anti makeup at fourteen, but I was convinced that my freckles had to go and what better to hide them, than a thick layer of make up. I can’t remember what changed my mind about make up, but it was a radical change about, over the course of that summer, between my freshman and sophomore year, I decided that I didn’t need make up. I decided that I was better off without makeup because I really didn’t know what I was doing when applying make up. I still don’t know what I am doing so I still don’t wear any, there are too many decisions to make; too many colors, textures, powder versus liquid, matte versus shiny, which complexion do I have, am I a spring, a winter, a summer or a fall? It is overwhelming, so why bother? I look in the mirror and I like the face that looks back at me and that is good enough for me.
I dread going to any business dinner; I love the food and the people I meet are always so very nice and we have a great many things to talk about; what I dread and dislike so very, very much is the getting ready process. I never know what to wear, my hair rarely cooperates, this weekend is a case in point; it is rainy today, tomorrow it is going to rain and so my hair is a frizzy mess and there is nothing that will tame my unruly locks, make up is something that I am amateurish at and by the time that I am ready, I feel awful about myself. And therein lies the kicker, sitting at home, reading about things that interest me, writing about things that I love; I feel hunky dory with myself, the minute that I have to put something nice on and put a presentable face to the world and down plummets my self-esteem, go figure. I think that deep down, I know that I am a tom boy, I have always been a tom boy and I never felt pretty or being pretty was not something that defined me; being a bookworm is something that defines me. So I think that when I have make up applied to me by professionals, I feel uncomfortable because I don’t see me looking back in the mirror and I know that the mask looking back at me is not sustainable and will be gone with a good scrubbing later on.
What I have tried to instill in my baby girl is that she is beautiful on the inside and the outside and she doesn’t need any embellishments whatsoever. She likes to wear makeup and now I don’t say anything, but I was pretty vocal during her high school years that she did not need any makeup, her beauty doesn’t need any additives.
I still don’t know I have such animosity to make up, maybe because it seems unfair that women are expected to wear it and men can go through their day without worrying about that or that men mature and women age. But when I think of makeup, I feel my stubborn streak rise to the forefront and the proverbial donkey hoofs dig in to not budge.
laurieanichols 
Just go as your bare skinned, tom-boy self, frizzy curls and all…and to heck with the rest! True beauty comes from being comfortable in our own skin…you beauty shines through your smile. Just be. Have a great time!
Thanks for your words, I needed to hear that. 🙂
Seriously…the most beautiful people are those who can just be themselves. I know this is hard…I also want to “fit in” at certain venues…however, do we ever really “fit”? We are individual.
It’s mostly my mom and my hubby who like to see me dolled up, if it were only me I would happily go as is with a nice dress and nice shoes, but those two appreciate putting oneself together for special occasions, I just don’t feel comfortable with all of the frills. I know that it makes them happy, I just feel uncomfortable. My post was me getting my hurt feelings out of my system.
I know hon…I am on a “please myself trip” which is new to me..I am a people pleaser, or have been. I’m trying to do what makes me happy now. It’s hard to learn.
I’m hoping to graduate to “pleasing me” it’s a hard class to pass, the old lessons are so ingrained. 🙂
I know it really is tough, but so worth the effort. I’m learning. Glad you found the Bare Minerals and stuff. I actually love wearing my bare minerals, it looks and feels good…mascara I don’t care for unless I want to look like I have eyelashes ha ha. 🙂
I agree with you that learning to please oneself is worth the effort and I am going to try to be mindful of that in the future. 🙂
For an easy five minute glam look? I use bare minerals in medium, it fits almost all skin colors, very lightly brush it all over your face, then a bit of blush, mascara and lip gloss! This is all I use and bare minerals is actually good for your skin. I have had women compliment me on my beautiful skin in broad daylight…not on my make up! Might be a good routine..just a thought.
Funny that you recommended the bare minerals because as I was rummaging through my bag, I found my batch of Bare Minerals, lip stick and my mommy gave me her new mascara so I’m all set. Silliness I tell you, we ladies are fine au naturel. Society needs to rethink its views of women. That’s for the next revolution 😀
Make-up: I was not taught to use it. I fake it once in a while. My eye sight is such that I can not see what I am putting on until I put my glasses back on. I am told I have ‘good skin.’ Well that is a good thing I guess. At age 54 I do not think I am suddenly going to decide I love applying make-up. Oh, that ‘good skin’ — I write that off as having enough fat cells to plump things out. That and I hate the sun.
Good skin is what women strive for, don’t knock it if you have it, lucky lady 🙂 You found the best prescription for great skin, staying away from the sun, having a few “fat” cells helps a lot past forty. I am finding that now lol. Thanks for the comment, you made me smile.:)
You are a beautiful woman inside and out! But what makes other people think you are beautiful is the way you treat others. Yeah, at first we are blinded by what Hollywood feeds us, but how many beautiful people are beautiful inside? Mainly they are so in love with themselves that become ugly if you get to know them well. Be yourself and the your beauty shines through. I always use a little powder , blush, and mascara during the week and go bare faced on the weekends. There isn’t a whole lot of difference! I guess that is because I too, have some freckles! But my husband thinks I’m beautiful no matter what!
I think that you’re beautiful, but I’m prejudiced when it comes to you sweetie. My mother gave me her mascara that she had just bought. lol I’ll figure the make up thing, but I tell you, I prefer being in cooking clothes covered in flour rather then being in dress up clothes covered in powder and lip stuff 😀