Not really, but I had an ever-so-slightly debaucherous weekend, which launched me into an especially busy week, which is why this post is so late. But I haven’t forgotten!
To be honest, I was surprised so few peeps shared goin’ out sans maquillage photos. Did some of you falter or just forgot? It’s OK, I can certainly understand. Me, I reveled in the “It’s No Make-up Week!” excuse and loved taking fifteen minutes to get ready to go out, for a change. I played up my accessories, but that’s about it.
One curious effect of going out without make-up that I noticed is how many dudes [and I do mean doooods] approached me while I was out, along with and the severely dwindled quality of their courting terminology. The only explanations I could come up with are that 1. They were all drunk 2. I looked more “cute” and less “imposing” than I usually do, which is all fine and dandy, but still made me wish for my arched eyebrows and angry eyeliner.
Now, in order of appearance, the intrepid NMUW weekend participants: Heather, Z, Amanda, Annastasia, Z, Ursula.
In addition to all the epic NMUW posts and comments, I have received some incredibly touching emails that I’m not at liberty to share here, but my heart melts. MELTS! Thank you all, again. Now, I’m afraid I have to break, as massive work-mountains demand I climb them.
i mean, come on!
you really look like a dooooood magnet missy!
well besides the fact that you are attractive, sometimes make-up ups the unapproachable factor depending on how it is done. I find I get a lot of “I thought you were a bitch” in the phases when I wore black liquid liner and red lipstick.
I’m surprised more people didn’t post pics too, all you girls who did post pics though are pretty anyway and don’t need make up in my opinion :).
I tried it one day last week. The thing is I feel bad enough with my make up on and still look ugly, so either way I feel ugly but you can only do what you can and I feel better with make up than without so I spend/waste the time putting it on.
Sometimes I feel like a boy, so wearing make up makes me feel less manly also.
Hair dye is make up in a way, it’s a kind of mask, and makes me feel more confident. This month I finally let go of my pink hair, i’ve been dying it bright colours for years, so even though I didn’t go a full week without make up I still think i’m making progress and slowly becoming more confident and learning to accept myself.
I got all dressed up and ready to hang out with my boyfriend, but I got sidetracked and never took a photo for the weekend. :(
After NMUW, I realized that wearing make-up does make me feel pretty and illustrious, so as much as I feel refreshed without it – I prefer to wear it. I think this time around, I’m going to minimalize the amount I use. It’s been fun!
Can you really blame those dudes for hitting on you? I mean, you are gorgeous, along with the other women in this post.
you are seriously so BEAUTIFUL missy, just breathtaking. have loved this week of posts. though i was too chicken to go without makeup (i only ever wear eyebrow pencil and a bit of powder to cover up my red red nose but still, i’m a wuss!).
I ended up participating in NMUW, albeit sort of involuntarily—being stuck down by a monster cold made putting make-up on nearly impossible, as I needed every ounce of strength just to get through the day. So of course, I was barely “there” enough to reflect on my week without make-ups, let alone document it in any way. Oh, well! I can be content looking at these lovely ladies’ pictures from the experiment!
I had a pretty bad allergy attack this morning (stupid Florida autumn weather!) and I STILL put on makeup. Smeary eyeliner and all. That’s how big a crutch it is for me.
I wish I could’ve done it. I really do. But if I don’t do my face up I inevitably end up being mistaken for a “doood” myself, and I wear comfortable but somewhat girly clothes and a ton of jewelry. My bad skin and large stature and short hair (okay, so this one’s my fault, I’ll admit to getting too bleach-happy) all conspire to make me feel as ugly as possible. And I have to have SOMETHING that makes me feel better about all that. Hence the haircolor and makeup and nail polish (I do my nails 2-4 times a week).
Good on all of you that participated, though. I’m kind of ashamed that I didn’t have the guts to join your ranks.
WOW! All you participants are neutral beauts! It’s an inspiration.
I’m really surprised that more girls didn’t participate! Absolutely everyone looks wonderful, and it was a great exercise. As you put it, I feel like the male crowd was less… intimidated. Normally my face features more eyebrow- action, heavy liner, and much too much dark eyeshadow, so this “au naturale” look was quite the twist.
I do agree with Shauna though. My hair dye is just as much of a mask as foundation, if not more so for me. Its not something I can quite articulate, but its a form of expression and exploration very much like all the eyeshadows I play with. Its a drastic way to alter appearances, fend off the “unwanted”, and mark ones self as an adherent to a deferent set of aesthetics.
About the No Make Up Week, I think that would be a nice idea to actually make a post on your make-up removing routine… since I have the worst difficulties removing all that shit every night. There is always some black bits left.
I think it’s great to have days where you go without but I agree with all the girls who’ve said that make up is such a big part of the daily routine, such a big step in the way we get ourselves ready to face the world, that sometimes without it you can feel bad about yourself, even if others may think you’re lovely. It’s about how you feel, and if wearing that sharp-browed heavy-lined red-lipped look makes you feel like you’re ready to kick some arse and take those names and burn them, then why go without? Make up doesn’t have to be a crutch and no one should feel bad about ‘leaning’ on their mascara for a daily power-boost. Sometimes, knowing you can flutter some serious lashes and you’re staring through a face that expresses who you feel like today can make that day all the more bearable. So points to you bare-faced beauties, but girls who commented feeling almost ashamed about not going without, don’t. It’s about what makes you feel gorgeous, sod the comments and the attention. Be who you are. If that involves great eyebrows, so be it.
Look at Xiomara! So beautiful!! <3 I don't use makeup that often (mostly cause I'm lazy) But I would'nt mind looking like these beautiful ladies do without makeup. Unfortunatly I look like a man without it but hey ;) Xiomara you so pretty yes! Weeeiih that's my brave and awesome friend!! <3<3<3<3