When I was a teen, I went through a virulent and outspoken anti-makeup phase. This lasted for all of two years and was reflective of my mental state at the time (I was also dealing with general teenage angst and unhappiness, and an eating disorder I’ve thankfully managed to leave behind). I kept myself busy acting like I didn’t care about makeup when I REALLY DID. I secretly wanted to master the art. And then I went to college and got super way into makeup. That’s a summary of my emo makeup journey. But I know SO many women who legitimately aren’t into makeup and it has nothing to do with their emotions.
Image via Shutterstock
They just aren’t that into it, and there’s a variety of often valid reasons why they shouldn’t be. I grew up to have an obsession with hair products and cosmetic items, but I totally get it. Through my years as a beauty blogger I’ve encountered so many women who choose to never or hardly ever wear makeup. Here are the top reasons I always hear.
– Because makeup seems like a lot of effort. That’s the number one explanation I hear when I meet women who don’t wear makeup but engage me in conversation about it. They’re Sweet Brown to makeup. Ain’t nobody got time for that! If you’re not used to wearing makeup, the whole thing seems to be an exercise in too much to do before you have to go somewhere. Based on personal experience I’ll say this – practice makes perfect in everything in life, and I’ve totally mastered a 5 minute face through the years, for occasions where I’m running out the door and need a little makeup. I’m just saying it CAN be done if you want to learn, and there are so many great YouTube videos and blogs to answer your questions. But hey, everything isn’t for everybody.
– Because it creates expectations. This is Luvvie’s reason for not wearing makeup. “I can’t have folks be used to me rocking makeup allatahm. Cause when I don’t, they’ll think I’m sick,” she explained when I asked her about it. And this makes sense to me. When I started wearing makeup everywhere I went, I felt the pressure to keep that up. And especially now that I write a beauty blog, I feel even more pressure. Now when I go down the street to the grocery store or post office, I rock foundation, powder, eyeliner, mascara and lip gloss, just in case. And if I don’t, I feel like I don’t look like myself. It totally has created that weight of expectation for me, but it’s my fault because I took that burden on. This is definitely a reason I can understand.
– Because that isn’t for me/ not my style. Maybe you’re a free spirited hippie at heart. Maybe you’re low maintainance and casual. Whatever the descriptive box that fits you, makeup doesn’t belong in it. But it’s possible that your style will change over time. Maybe makeup isn’t your bag now, but it might be someday. Reserve the right to be as free as you want to be!
— Because my skin is perfect au naturale, thanks. Another valid reason for not wearing makeup! I know many women who have absolutely gorgeous skin sans foundation or concealer. Sure, maybe I’m one who’d suggest that a little blush and bronzer would bring out your cheekbones or eyeliner would make your eyes pop – but why mess with a good thing? If you have flawless skin, I understand your hesitation to start covering it up with makeup. But please know today’s cosmetic products are lightweight and noncomodogenic, and you CAN find products out there that will benefit, not damage your skin.
— Because I don’t believe in it. Some shun makeup because of religious reasons, or personal beliefs — I know many who’ve got a cultural bias against it, or see the cosmetics industry as an evil construct meant to oppress us all. I try not to argue against any of that. The only time I engage in pro-cosmetics arguments is when I notice people judging other people’s choices.
– Because I don’t know what to buy or try, it’s overwhelming. THIS, I get – and I sincerely hope that you all know if you’re looking to learn more about makeup and it feels too intimidating and too much, your friendly Afrobella is always here to help. But I feel you. Completely. Walking into a Sephora, Ulta, or even your nearest department store can be an exercise in torture. Too many sales people with too many questions, offering to randomly spray you with stuff. Conquering the fear of the makeup counter is an essential step if you DO want to wear makeup. And you’d be surprised at how many of the customers in there feel exactly the same way you do. You’re certainly not alone in that hesitation.
– Because I don’t know how. And that’s so often the main reason, right? I said earlier the number one explanation is “makeup seems like too much work,” well…it’s gonna seem like work when you don’t know how to use it, right?
I can honestly say that makeup is now a kind of therapy for me. It is FUN. I love playing with it and creating new looks for myself. But as a former tomboy, I get it — makeup used to intimidate me out of using it. I think in the beauty industry we’re set up to encourage every woman to wear makeup, but like I said, everything ain’t for everybody. There’s a lot to be said for respecting other people’s choices. If you’re adamant about never wearing makeup, then your opinion deserves respect! But if you actually do someday want to wear it, know that the information you need is out there, whenever you’re ready to try.
Do you wear makeup? Tell me your reason! And if you have a question, please know you can ask me!
I like to think I stay cute, as Luvvie says “allatahm”, thanks. Yet I do enjoy my MAC LipGlass (Shocklate) and have several fresh bottles always hanging around the house, the car, my purse, etc.
I’m 18, and while growing up, I’ve noticed that makeup is mostly used to cover up blemishes and pimples. I’ve never really had a huge problem with my skin, so I see no reason to wear makeup. Not to mention that it is way too much work. I have heard of women sleeping in their makeup just so they don’t have to do it in the morning, yuck! Just like Luvvie said, when people see you with makeup on, they expect you to look that way all of the time. I want people to know that this is how I look, and this is how I will always look.
No disrespect to women who love wearing makeup, it’s just not my thing. I have never been able to get into it,
WOW! You have no idea how I struggle with this question almost on a daily basis. I sold Mary Kay for about 3 years(yes , I was a car driver – lol) but once I stopped, the pressure of not having to have “my face” on 24/7 was liberating. That was about seven years ago and I have not put on a lick of makeup since. I am happy , but there is a part of me that longs to put on a little foundation , blush and lipstick, especially since I now have a TWA and my biggest accesory items are earrings. I think that my biggest fear is now that I am older(57) I have no idea what will look good on me. I do not want to be “that older woman” wearing a mask(wrong foundation color) and the wrong lip color. So I have gone from feeling liberated to know wondering if a little additional color and contour would make me look just a sharper.
I wear some type of makeup everyday, mostly to enhance. I never leave the house without at least mascara and lipgloss. My everyday work look is powder, eye shadow and liner, blush or bronzer and mascara and gloss/lipstick.
I wear makeup 3 to 4 times a week. Sometimes it’s just gloss, mascara and a dub of blush. I love the act of putting it on, the ritual of getting ready, taking just a few minutes out of what may be a busy day to do something that’s for me only.
My issue with makeup is that I sweat so in the spring/summer months on a hot sweaty school bus, no AC makeup would be terrible. Then in the winter you need to wear a hat and I don’t want makeup to get on my hats.
I wear makeup during the week because I think I look more professional if I look like I am awake.:) On the weekends, it’s only lipstick if I am going out.
I have come to work before without makeup and my boss thought I was ill. He said I looked so unwell, I could go home.
I do! \O/ I’ve had an on and off again relationship with makeup lol! I got back into in 08/09. It’s fun for me and it’s interesting to see what looks I can come with. I like checking out blogs, youtube and taking about it with other makeup heads.
I’m a huge makeup fan. I do have blemish-prone skin so being able to cover up blemishes when they happen is great to me. I also always wished I’d been able to draw or have an artistic talent like that, so makeup feels like a way to express that side. Havin said that, it’s also nice to go makeup free and to let my skin breathe (which is important given skin issues). Ultimately it’s all about doing what works for you – feeling good is the best way to look good in my book.
I have blemish prone skin as well along with some lingering acne marks. So I too like being able to cover them up but don’t have a problem going makeup free 😀
Yo, ladies, if you look like you are sick when you go without make-up, you are doing it wrong!
Make-up ought to look natural–guys dont like a ton of make-up on a girl and they *do* notice.
I wear concealer under my eyes to hide dark circles, powder over that, eyeliner and lipstick. That’s it.
I save the big stuff for special occasions, dates or nights out; make a BIG pow! impression.
Works for me. Each to their own.
It really depends on my mood. Most of the time, no. If I’m going somewhere where there will be lots of camera snapping, I may do a little powder, mascara, and dab of eye shadow. Honesty, I like my skin, flaws and all. Plus, if I wear too much, my husband won’t kiss me as often (he tells me he loves my natural skin, too 🙂
I have always LOVED makeup. i was the kid sneaking and putting lipstick on at 14. By the time I was 16 my uncle had nicked named me “Maybeline Queen”. I remember looking at ads in magazine and then practicing at home. There was a time when you would not ever see me without makeup. My causal face was lipgloss/mascara & eye liner. Now I think I am a little more balanced, I do have no makeup days, but those are mostly the heavy workout days at the gym when I know I’m just coming home to chill. Ironically it took age and maturity to get to this stage because I was seriously ill a few years ago and it left a large bit of scarring on left cheek and nose so I really doo ook sick when I am makeupless. Personally I think everyone looks better with a touch of gloss and some mascara, but I can appreciate those who say “no” to makeup.
I grew up around women that did not wear makeup, so my teenage years I never thought of wearing makeup. I can recall seeing girls in school trying out different eyeshadow colors and different lip glosses, so of course I wanted to try it as well but, was always told “your beautiful and you do not need to cover that up”. Now that I’m into professional career I feel the need to polish my look and I would love to complete my look by adding some makeup, but like many I have no idea where to begin. I get so overwhelmed when entering into a beauty store. I know I’ll invest the time and work to get my polished look, but like you said previously “practice makes perfect”.
I took my cues from my mother, mostly. Makeup is for special occasions, not for daily wear.
In 10th grade, I got into a makeup phase, and abruptly cut it off when I realized I was starting not to like the way I looked without it.
Even when I do wear makeup it’s minimal – foundation stick to even things out, mineral powder, eyeliner, eyebrow pencil, mascara, and more recently (like within the last month), lipstick.
i dont. i cant bother. its pretty to play in for a night out on the town but its too much upkeep for anything else. all day long? NAWL. i especially dont do foundation in hot ass Jamaica oh hell no. I sweat alot and i’m always wiping at my face. lawd.
I fall in the “Because my skin is perfect au naturale, thanks” category. These days, (in my mid-thirties now:-))a little lip gloss and face powder is all i need to feel cute and good to go.
I have never worn makeup. I believe my skin is beautiful without it. I have only worn it on special occasions, weddings, prom, anniversaries, etc. As a teenager I didn’t go through the acne stage, and I occasionally get a pimple once a month. I don’t even like lipstick. I do take care of my skin daily, and the most that I will wear is lip balm. There are no major reasons why I don’t wear it, I just think I’m fine without.
Thank you for posting this! I’ve been off and on with makeup through the year, mostly because I am overwhelmed by the product and the task of trying to find what works for me. These days, I wear makeup to work and if I’m going “out” on the weekends – just foundation, concealer (ARGH – so hard to find one that really works!) – and eyeliner. No lip stuff because I really like the way my lips look au naturale. However, I always wish I could do an amazing face for special occasions…..
I’m not into makeup. I went to boarding school in JA for my formidable teenage years and that stuff was not allowed. So as I transitioned into adulthood, the whole process of a full face just seems too much. There are days when I try to make the effort with eyeliner and mascara, that is pretty much my repertoire. If it’s a super special occasion I’ll make the effort with eyeshadow.
Your first reason is the one that applies to me best. It just takes too much time for me on the day-to-day basis. I do wear it for special occasions and now that I’m getting older, I can see benefits to wearing it a little more frequently; however, I don’t ever think it will be part of my daily regimen.
To add, I do keep the basics (e.g. lipstick, lipgloss, eyeliner, etc.) in my purse which I carry daily, in case I do have an emergency reason to “put on my face.”
I once won a makeup competition and even sold makeup. But overtime I noticed that there are just too many product choices and the last type of junkeyism I need to add to my repertoire is makeup. Being a product Junky for hair is enough right now.
The other thing I don’t like is when I’ve bought makeup, get it home and it looks different on me than what was demonstrated. That has caused me to waste a lot of money.
So these days I just wear it for special events. But I’d love to see more natural look makeup look tips on your blog. Thanks so much for asking.
I do wear makeup, but not often. Thanks to awesome blogs like this and Shake Your Beauty and Bobbi Brown’s Makeup Manual, it doesn’t intimidate me anymore BUT I’m still hesitant.
My main reason? People think I look younger than my age (I’m 24) and I fear that if I wear makeup I will inadvertently end up looking like a 14-year-old who is using makeup to look “grown,” and I don’t want that.
I really do think there’s a fine line between successfully achieving an older, more polished mature look to look your age and falling on your face in the process.
I already abhor being told that I look like a baby so looking like a pre-teen or teen who’s trying too damn hard to look older is A LOT worse than looking like a plain-faced teeny bopper. Welp.
I wasn’t into makeup in grade school and college because: It just wasn’t my thing at the time. Another thing: most of the women I passed at department store makeup counters as a child looked awful. Caked-up makeup, wrong foundation color, you name it. They looked like clowns. I later learned that when quality makeup is applied correctly, makeup is cool and fun! Lastly, it didn’t look like it was worth the money. As a teen I blew my cash on CDs, vinyl and books because those were the only tangible objects that were worth spending money on, aside from food. Now I’m more “girly.” I like French-made bras that usually cost $75 a pop, pricey organic body products…
It’s indicative of a larger issue, actually. I have more “wants” these days. My Pininterst account is full of kitchen gadgets, home decor items from Anthropologie, boots made in Italy that I can’t afford…Let me stop. LOL.
I forgot to add:
I did not grow up around women who wore makeup and that definitely influenced me. I come from a family full of Plain Janes and homebodies. LOL!
I love make up! The fact I can completely transform my face/body in the matter of moments into whatever I want (movie star? Sea monster? Zombie? Choice is yours!) whenever it want is so freeing and fun. Do I wear make up every day? No. And if I’m just hanging out with friends, I rarely wear more than lip gloss or chapstick, a bit of concealer and eyeliner.
I do wear makeup. I dont wear foundation though. I mainly do my eyes and my lips, and I am trying blush now. I do concealer when my undereye circles look bad. I am not afraid to go without makeup though – I have moments when I dont feel like wearing makeup , so I dont.
I am 46 and recently started wearing a full face 4 years ago. Lipstick was the norm with cleansed moisturized skin; then crows feet appeared and subtle eye bags so I decided to upgrade me. I learned how to properly apply makeup in stages; for a year I only applied foundation and concealer. Now I can do a smokey eye and different eyeliner methods. If anyone wants to start wearing makeup I say do it in stages. Each work day I give myself special me time- I enjoy a great cup of coffee and put on a great face; I owe myself that because I give so much of myself to others throughout the day. I do makeup for me.
The only make up that I have been wearing was lipstick that I got from Revlon. My only problem was having pale lips but for the rest, everything was okay for me. I believe in natural beauty. Putting on heavy make up for me can be very damaging to the skin and if you do not want to damage your facial skin, you need to buy expensive make up products that contains safe ingredients. I can’t afford to spend my money on these products and I rather spend it to other important things.
I use make-up because it brings out the facial features that I love. I use a light touch during the day—foundation with SPF, eyeliner, mascara, blush and lip-gloss. My make-up is more dramatic at night and I add eye-shadow, use lipstick instead of gloss, and a slightly darker blush. I’m a fashionista, so using make-up is like adding the cherry on top.
When I was first allowed to wear makeup when I was 16, I went crazy. I wore a full face of makeup every day for about a month. Then my younger brother told me I looked like a hooker and that ended that. This was before I knew how to match the foundation to your actual skintone and more blush wasn’t better! I toned it down to lipstick or gloss every day, some days with eyeshadow/eyeliner/mascara and foundation on special occasions with eyeshadow/eyeliner/mascara. I’m still afraid of blush somewhat. I wore a full face of makeup occasionally when dating my now husband and he referred to it as “war paint”. I rarely am out without lipgloss or at least lipbalm on, but I feel comfortable without any other makeup on.
I’m surprised that no one has pointed this out. Money is certainly a factor for me. Most tutorials on the internet you see use expensive brands like Mac or Bobby brown or Sephora. You almost never see tutorials for drug store brands (probably because the quality isn’t as good). That is a major factor for me. Right now I can’t afford to wear makeup to cover up my acne blemishes even though I would love to. Finding the right shade for African Americans is a struggle as well. I love makeup though and I do plan on stepping up my makeup game soon!!
sometimes a little lip gloss is all you need!
no disrespect taken! Sometimes I feel the need to wear less makeup. I feel you
When I’m depressed I don’t wear makeup. I somehow feel like the effort isn’t worth it 🙁 But on good days I do.
Oh, and I’m very dark-skinned and fear that blush will look ridiculous on me 🙂
I generally don’t wear makeup for all of the reasons above except for not believing in it. It’s a lot of work. I don’t know how. I don’t know what to buy. My skin is gorgeous.
However, I DO love shocking people (and myself) every now and again and I wear it. It brings out my eyes and cheekbones, fleshes out my lips. I rock it when I wear it and it’s fun:-)
I’ll have to keep reading your blog for some tips.
for the summer/hot azz days i use tinted moisturizer vs foundations (preferably smashbox BB cream) cuz it has the SPF n set it w/powder n kept it simple w/mascara, blush n gloss!!
i am 31 and just recently within the past 2 yrs got into makeup. i had nothing more than mascara n gloss. After conquering the natural world i turned my obsession from hair products to bein intrigued w/makeup and i’ve been full fledge!! it definitely takes practice but it’s like a HIGH i get now when i discover a new product n create a face n i love it. folks ask me if im a MUA n encourage me to get into the field but im enjoyin it for myself for now. i totally understand ALL of the above reasons to not becuz i was about 6 out of 7 of the excuses. Im so good now that the mac laydeez at the counter treat me like VIP n i get allll the exclusive hard to find shades **evil laugh** speakin of…BRING BACK THAT ALL MY PURPLE LIFE LIPGLASS ASAP!!
I have never worn makeup, mostly because I’m just not that into it. I distinctly remember arguing with my mother before my junior prom because I didn’t want to wear makeup and she insisted I should because it was such a special occasion. I can remember the handful of times in my adult life when I’ve worn makeup, and it was always done by someone else.
Which brings me to my other reasons: I don’t want to create expectations, cause even if I start wearing it, it won’t be every day. Also, I don’t know how to do it or where to start. Would I like to learn just for the sake of knowing? Absolutely! But I’m happy with my skin as is (though I wouldn’t call it perfect) so I’m not in any hurry to do anything different.
I have eczema on my face from when I tried to bleach the hair on my upper lip as a teenager. I don’t really mind how the rashes look elsewhere, but around my mouth the effect is quite nasty. Concealer has been a godsend, although I do feel self-conscious on those days when I can’t wear it due to a bad flare up. here’s a tip for those who are worried about money: buying just a matched concealer to use in a few places is much cheaper than buying foundation; even MAC, Bobbi Brown, and Clinique have concealers for about twenty dollars, and you don’t need brushes or anything other than your fingers to put it on.
Other than concealer, for daily wear I love me some smudgy eyeliner and I do fill in my eyebrows a little with matte eyeshadow. I avoid lip stuff since my lips are chronically chapped and I have to keep putting balm on them. Mascara I think is a bit too much for my sensitive eyes. And that’s all okay; if there’s anything I’ve learned about makeup, it’s that you don’t have to wear everything people tell you to wear. You can totally wear eyeliner but not mascara. Or you can avoid those and curl you eyelashes instead. Or do all of those things. Or do nothing around your eyes and focus on other parts of the face. There are options. You can do however much or however little. Whatever suits your taste, your skin, and your budget.
What an interesting question! I think another reason for the list, that was really strong in my hippie/activist/feminist family, would be that oftentimes they considered makeup as only a way to comply with male stereotypes about women, and therefore something that should especially not be encouraged in young girls. As I grew up I learned to free myself both from male (and peer) pressure and from radical feminism (no offense to all the brave women who fought for our rights, but I just don’t think all men are our enemies), and that I could do makeup just for ME.
And as I am recovering from a 3 year illness, makeup has helped me a lot to accept my changed physical appearance. I have learned about products, colours, balance, styles, good brands that are not over expensive, I have mastered quick routines, elaborate ones… But now I feel trapped, because I have a hard time looking at myself with no makeup on! The irony of life, heehee…
I agree it’s another expense for women. It’s costly.
In my 20’s I wore makeup because there was a brand that worked for me..I’m going to date myself now…it was Naomi Sims. When that went by way of the dinosaur I moved onto Presscriptive because they custom blended powder & foundaation. Then they abandoned that business model. Now in my 40s you would be lucky to catch me in lip gloss. Just can’t be bothered.
My reason that I did not see is that I have acne prone skin. I love make up and I wear it. I have a routine and everything. But it is rudely interrupted when my acne may go through a period of flaring up and I have to give my skin a break and let my breakouts calm down again. Does anyone else have this issue?
You would be surprised. Just a little goes a long way. Plus, blush doesn’t have to be pink, it can be a dark rose color or even a golden bronzy color that would make your skin glow. I challenge you to try those colors if you haven’t already. And if you have revisit it, use a blush brush, and use just a little bit of the color.
I only wear make-up to work and special events. For the longest, I only wore powder foundation and blush but have recently begun adding a little eye make-up for a more professional look. I first tried mascara and liner, but now I’m just doing mascara. It’s funny because when I started doing this I got a lot of compliments on how good I looked. People didn’t notice that the change was related to a little mascara. I didn’t wear eye make-up all the time because I didn’t want to create expectations, but I think opportunities will open up because of the make-up. Hate to say it but that’s most likely because with make-up I look more appealing.
Yes! And its frustrating…but I will say that Bare Minerals has been the ONLY makeup that has worked for me. My issue is consistency – I would buy something, use it for a while and stop. With BM, I’ve been able to keep going. Acne scarring is my biggest concern. 5 minutes (sometimes 2) and I’m good to go. And I have oily skin. If you haven’t tried it, I highly recommend it. It last a long time because a little goes a long way.
What do mean if you look like you are sick w/o makeup, you are doing it wrong? I’m confused.
I just had professional pictures taken and in them I do have makeup on (eyeshadow, liner, mascara, lipgloss) but it basically disappears, leaving me looking like I’m not wearing any at all. Yet I have people saying I look amazing and like I’m “going back in time” (I’m 47).
I was never a huge makeup person due to a combination of several things: near-perfect skin (blame the genes), expectations, lack of know-how, and laziness…plus, like I said above, it’s like my skin “eats” makeup, lol. Once I entered my 40s and hormones hit, suddenly I had new eyebrow hairs sprouting and that’s when I started doing regular eyebrow grooming (mainly threading, and only when I’m in a city where I can get it done for under $6). For me that and tinted lip gloss are about as close as I get to being “made up” on an average day.
I don’t wear makeup because most of them break me out or doesn’t match my skintone or undertone.
I grew up not wearing makeup – avoided it like the plague, then I went through this “nature girl” phase in college. Of course, there was the “Black women don’t NEED makeup,” and “makeup ages your skin.” These days, I love wearing it (and I love not wearing it), though I’m a very late-bloomer – did not wear a fully-made-up face until my 40th birthday, which my friend put on for me – and I’m still learning. I don’t wear it every day, but I love the way it looks when I do.
I always wear makeup to work…now I feel obligated or naked with out it. One day…. I’m going to go au natural…just not ready yet. On the weekends I’m a free little bird
Warrior, you have got to just go to the MAC store or whereever and let them “beat” your face. Stop the wondering and just try it. A little color and contour does wonders do wonders. Even if yoou just buy one lipstick or a blush, itll be special somehow.
I am like you. I remember the first and last time I wore makeup I was 17. I am now 33. Wore it to prom, but as soon as I got to the hotel I headed for the washroom to take it off. It just didn’t feel right on my face. Every one commented on how beautiful I looked but I didn’t care. I am beautiful without it.
As I have gotten older, I would like to try to make
1. Allergic to most of it even hypo-allergenic will break me out. It is the dye. Which leads to:
2.$$$$$$$$. I haven’t tried mineral make-up but it is cost prohibitive at this time, because I would have to find the real mineral make-up not a knock off. I am dark-skinned enough that finding a decent foundation is a real challenge. I don’t have the money to try this or that and get in the sun or home and it doesn’t look right.
@ MDA…I feel you on that (looking young, I mean). I will be 30 this year and I can still pass for 18. I’m constantly being asked for ID or being talked down to like I’m a child. Being short and petite with a round face doesn’t help, either.
I understand your dilemma somewhat because I look like a “cute” little girl without makeup and I’m often treated that way (which I don’t want). But on the other hand, I run the risk of wearing makeup and having people assume that I’m a teenager trying to look older. It can be very annoying because I’m married and I carry myself in a very mature way. They see the ring on my hand and see that I’m articulate/competent, but still insist on treating me like I’m 12.
I often wear the basics…mascara, sometimes eyeliner, concealer and gloss are must-haves. I tend to wear soft subtle makeup in the daytime no matter what I’m doing (unless I will be at home all day). I went about 3 years without wearing makeup just to see what it would be like. It was OK and it taught me to appreciate my face in its natural state. But makeup can definitely be a confidence booster. I think I have a pretty face with or without makeup, but I feel more confident in some situations when I’ve taken time to throw on a bit of mascara and gloss.
Like you said, it’s a fine line. I love the look of a classic red lip and I was rocking it the other day, but sadly I can’t do it as often as I would like to, because some people tend to look at me funny like: “who does she think she is? why is this girl wearing makeup? Isn’t she too young for that?” I think red lips are smoking hot when the rest of the makeup is subtle, but I rarely do it because I don’t want rude comments from people. And I remember in high school some racist comments were made when I would wear pink or red lipstick, so that scared me away from experimenting with makeup for a while. Funny how Nicki Minaj has made it somewhat popular years later.
I think if you want to try makeup, you should go for it. Start off with the simple basics, just the bare minimum…mascara, gloss, maybe a BB cream and some concealer. This way you’ll feel a bit more polished without looking overdone or feeling self-conscious. It’s still you, only with your natural beauty enhanced. Makeup is partly artistic for me, but it is also about being more assertive and projecting confidence so I won’t be mistaken for a much younger person.
So, one of my students come up to me and says, “Miss, I found you on Google.” She shows me this article and I smile. I’m happy I some way ended up on afrobella.com. love the site.
I don’t wear make-up because my Mom never wore make-up. For me, it wasn’t a daily ritual I saw occurring and I never had the desire to add it to my daily ritual. I actually tried, but make-up feels uncomfortable to me. I feel like I end up wiping it off. All in all, I don’t think make-up will change my appearance much so I choose not to wear it.
The most I will wear is lipstick and that’s maybe once or twice a month.
I don’t wear make up because like Luvvie I don’t want people to expect me to look like that all the time. Plus, I’d rather have amazing looking natural skin than to have to cover it. And I have freakishly weirdly sensitive skin I’m afraid I’ll put on make up even if it’s hypoallergenic and have some crazed reaction like turning white (which happened to me many moons ago). I just stay away from it and try to focus on having healthy skin. At one time I did wear some lipstick/lip gloss but my skin decided after years of wearing the same brand it didn’t like it anymore (which is normal for my skin and hair they both have a tendency to turn on things). I had a horrible reaction and I just gave up!
Because I don’t know what to buy or try, it’s overwhelming. This is me all day. I love my mascara, eyeliner and lip products. But when it comes to foundation talk about scared, I feel like I would need to much to make my skin tone even.
Great post!
My answer: I do wear it every now, mostly when I’m going out and that’s because people ‘expect’ you to doll yourself up for evening activities. I have a nice stock of professionally selected products.
I don’t like to wear makeup because I actually feel prettiest with a bare face. Even when I’m wearing a professionally applied face, I think my naked face is better.
Laziness. Not willing to spend extra money. Don’t want it to become tied to my identity. I really like my face the way it is. Don’t (usually) want to look older. Too old to start now and go through the experimentation/learning phase. Laziness!!!
Have had light makeup applied once by my sister for a wedding, apart from that I have never worn it in my 28 years.
P.S. Laziness!!!!!!
I don’t wear make up for most of the reasons mentioned plus my skin hates everything. I tried to a new moisturizer for sensitive skin last month and the burning sensation finally subsided last week. My skin ain’t having it.
Add me to the Luvvie camp. I don’t want to HAVE to wear it and I like the “WOW!” effect when I do. But also, despite less than perfect skin, I feel pretty cute without it. So why bother?
I don’t wear much because I sweat it off. I end up looking worse than if I didn’t wear any. I have a weird mix of dry skin and acne-prone skin. Sometimes trying to cover the spots I end up with brown flakiness. I’ll keep checking back here to see if you have any hints for that.
You should have a look at one of the quite recent book by Bobbi Brown and she explains what to wear and how when you’re in your 50s.
My ex-boyfriend dumped me one week ago after I accused him of seeing someone else and insulting him. I want him back in my life but he refuse to have any contact with me. I was so confuse and don’t know what to do, so I reach to the internet for help and I saw a testimony of how a spell caster help them to get their ex back so I contact the spell caster and explain my problem to him and he cast a spell for me and assure me of 3days that my ex will return to me and to my greatest surprise the third day my ex came knocking on my door and beg for forgiveness. I am so happy that my love is back again and not only that, we are about to get married. Once again thank you ADODO spell. You are truly talented and gifted. Email: dradodojattotemple@gmail.com is the only answer. He can be of great help and I will not stop publishing him because he is a wonderful man
I personally don’t wear makeup because of a variety of reasons (some of which you mentioned). There are 3 generations of my family that do not wear makeup on a daily basis and as a child I was discouraged from wearing it. Not only makeup but also nail polish amongst other things. I even made the decision at the age of 5 that I would get locs because I just hated the maintenance that my hair needed. Yet a lot of my friends apply makeup on a daily basis and say it makes them more beautiful which I can understand but I can’t exactly relate. Even though today I have acne and my face isn’t as smooth and my hair not fitting the “beauty standards” of being straight I still constantly get told (by strangers even) that I am beautiful and that my natural-ness is refreshing to see. I’m not saying that women who wear makeup lack self confidence because that’s not true; my point simply is that makeup is simply not for me.
It’s nice to satisfy individuals who like to share thei
understanding and knowledge with others!
I dont wear makeup because I like to be seen in my real face. Somehow I consider makeup to be a fake thing… maybe a lot of people disagree but I cant help myself to not see it in that way. I never had emotional troubles because of not wearing makeup, untill one jerk on the internet started to bully me for my barefaced photo. He wrote me nasty things, e.g. that I look like a man, Im ugly, and so….I really felt unwell because of his comments, it even made me to delete my barefaced photo. Now im ok but his rude comments really somehow ruined my confidence.
Too much time. Now and then lipstick, but rare. On one of thIse rare moments i put on some lipstick and our then 8 year old son (he’s 10 now) said: “Mommy what’s that on your lip?” It’s also too much to take off, clean the face etc. I like my natural face. But I admire those who can do it and do it well.