Sunday, April 14, 2013

Natural Beauty

So the other day I was scrolling through, reading blogs, and I came across a rather interesting post. Makeup Demon put up a post (click here) where she put up a quote by Donatella Versace: "I don't even know what my natural color is. Natural? What is natural? I do not believe in totally natural beauty for women. For me, natural has something to do with vegetables."
Then began the discussion about natural beauty, and if you want to read her discussion do click the link above because she really goes into her thoughts on the matter quite well.
And for whatever reason, this discussion really struck a chord with me. I rarely see women who wear absolutely no makeup, it's almost sociably unacceptable for a woman to go out completely bare faced. It certainly isn't the norm, and you know that people do tend to pass judgement on those who choose not to wear makeup. For example, the last job I had was in a corporate office building as a receptionist. There was one girl in the office who didn't wear any makeup. I didn't think she looked bad, she had nice skin, naturally dark lashes, and her face was defined well so she didn't need any extra contouring. Yet still there were other people in the office who were baffled that she never wore makeup. They deemed it rather unprofessional. She was never like reprimanded or anything because it's really not a big deal, it was just the center of idle office gossip on quite a few occasions.
But really, what's the big deal? I don't wear makeup most days. If I need to run to the grocery store or the gas station I'll throw on some mascara and lip gloss and call it good. It's generally only when I'm going out with friends or something that I feel the need to wear full makeup. Or if I just feel like blogging.  But right now my days are generally spent at home with my daughter. So why bother with it?
My brain has been totally stuck on this topic since I read the post. Like, why do I feel the need to wear at least a little makeup just to run to the gas station? Why do I need makeup on to go to my mum's house? I mean, I highly doubt the gas station attendant gives a shit about how I look when I go in, and my mum knows what I look like without makeup. She's not even wearing makeup half the time I go over there on the weekend unless she just got back from church/work. I don't think I look bad without makeup, my skin is pretty balanced so it's not like I'm hiding breakouts most days. I do get some circles under my eyes as I'm sleep deprived most of the time, but even those aren't super dark.
And all these thoughts running around in my head got me wondering exactly how much better I look with makeup than without. How much does this stuff really enhance my appearance? I never really do comparison pictures, so tonight I figured it was about time I did. So tonight I took some pictures of myself wearing absolutely no makeup or hair products. Completely natural aside from the three bobby pins I used to pin my bangs back. Then I scrolled through some of my older photos and found one where I was doing a mostly natural look with full makeup and compared them. Obviously I look better with makeup, especially under the scrutiny from the flash on my camera. But honestly, I like the truly natural photos. They make me look more real and rather fresh in a way. It's just a really honest look, like there's nothing to hide here. It's just me. And I figured I'd share the comparison with you guys, see what your opinions on this are.



This is me. My lips are dry because I don't drink enough water and drink to much coffee. I have circles under my eyes because I'm exhausted because it's late and my daughter has been sick for the past couple of days leaving me rather exhausted. My eyelashes and eyebrows are undefined because I lost the genetic lottery and got my mum's coloring.



And this is the person I portray. My skin looks flawless and glowing, no real visible signs of age yet. My lips look full and healthy. My eyes look large and well defined and my brows look full and shapely. The wax in my hair keeps my curls springy and prevents any stray hairs from floating around and keeps frizziness at bay. I look fabulous, but it's not who I really am. 

Now don't get me wrong. I love makeup, and I love that with makeup I can change how others perceive me at a glance. How even when I feel like crap or run down, I can make myself look like absolutely nothing is wrong. It's rather empowering that by doing something so simple I can change the way people see me. It's really been a saving grace these past couple months.
I just think there's something to be said for a natural face. It's beautiful in its' own way. And it's real. I may love my makeup but I love my real face way more. It's who I am, and I think I'm pretty fucking awesome. 

However, doing this post and really seeing my skin under the harsh light really showed me how much I've been neglecting it recently. So I think I'm going to have to go out and get some decent skin products so I can help get my skin back in order. It used to look much better than it did today. And I'm going to start drinking more water because that really is the biggest contributor to healthy, radiant skin. The nicer weather will also help as I'll be outside more often, and for me, a healthy dose of sunlight drastically improves the overall look of my skin.

So please, tell me your thoughts on this subject. How do you feel about going out 100% natural? Do you ever go out without makeup? And remember, I do prefer brute honesty people. If you think I'm totally diluted for liking the natural look, you don't have to hold back. I really, truly want to know how you guys feel about this business!!!! Also, if you have any recommendations for great skincare products let me know. I'm a big fan of the Clinique 3 Step System, but I'd like to try something new. Haven't had the whole 3 Step System in a while and I really miss it. The stuff I'm using right now is only so-so.  But, if you couldn't tell from the pictures, I'm totally burnt out and in desperate need of some shut eye. Til next time!



20 comments:

  1. I don't even think I have strong and clear opinion on wearing make up. I believe it's all about how do you feel with or without it. I started using cosmetics when I was 15, I started wearing daily makeup since I was 18.. I don't go even to take the trash out without wearing it. Why? I just feel naked without it, I feel bad and I can't stop thinking and feeling that something is missing.
    So if you feel good without makeup it's ok, it's only your own business. I believe so. But I really don't understand people who also refuse to use skincare..That I don't understand :)

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    1. I never really thought much on the topic before I saw your sister's post. I just wore it because that's what you do as a grown woman. I personally don't look down on those who go without because it's just none of my damn business and I say to each their own. I'm just trying to better understand why I feel so naked without the makeup.
      And I don't understand why people really neglect their skin either. I get lazy every now and again, but I try to take care of my skin regularly.

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    2. I think seeing myself in a mirror how much better I look with makeup, I just feel more confident and I just like myself more. That's why I do it..
      And skincare is a must thing even if you are 100% natural, these days when there is so much polution and sun is so dangerious is just ridiculous to ignore all that!

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  2. This is a great post on a subject that I find fascinating.

    Obviously, as a beauty blogger I love makeup and do wear it pretty much every time I leave the house- I don't usually wear much (or any) if I'm just at home- but it seems like no one in my life wears much makeup at all. Most of my friends don't use much more than mascara and lip gloss.

    I realized the other day when I was shopping, I was one of the only people with full makeup on- like full routine. There were women with this or that on, but nobody with a full face. Then there was me, completely done-up, bold lip and all. Although everything looked good on me, I couldn't help but feel a bit self-conscious. I found it interesting that the fact that even with all of my 'flaws' hidden (by my makeup) I felt so uncomfortable in a surrounding full of bare faces.

    I wear makeup for myself- not only to improve flaws- but because I love it. As for Doatella's quote, it does resonate some truth, but it's a sad day for all women if it really holds true. My inner feminist hates her for saying it, but I guess 'natural beauty' is whatever makes you feel like you.

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    1. My life seems to be the exact opposite. Most of my friends always wear full makeup and have beauty blogs of their own. And maybe it's because I live in a small town, but it's rare for me to see women without makeup when I go out, even to like the grocery store.
      And I'm not a feminist or anything, in fact I'm a bit of a traditionalist. But I still think the quote may be a little harsh. But I think that your ending statement is absolutely great. Natural beauty being whatever makes you feel like you. That's probably the perfect way to look at it. Thanks for sharing your opinion!!

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  3. Thank you for mentioning my blog, Danielle!
    I have to admit that your post is more interesting;)

    On weekends I have "natural" days if there are no special plans. I can go to the yard to play with my son or to take the trash out without wearing makeup:) But shopping center or friends - no, that's the limit:D

    If you are satisfied with your beauty, happy and have a good skin, bright features - why to use makeup? If there is something you want to hide or highlight - use cosmetics... :)

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    1. You're welcome! Your post really got me to thinking about why it is that I wear makeup.

      And I think it is important to have at least a few natural days to let your skin breathe properly. The over all health of one's skin should be a priority for everyone. Healthy people tend to have healthy skin. Even for people that do suffer from acne or other skin conditions, you can tell if their skin is healthy based on the spots that aren't afflicted and it makes a big difference in their appearance.

      And I'm not going to stop wearing makeup just because I have decent skin. I enjoy doing my makeup. And seriously, my eyelashes are like transparent. And they're so long and full it's a shame that people can't see them without mascara. But maybe I'll make an effort to wear less makeup when I'm just going to pick up some groceries. Let people see at least a bit of what I really look like. :)

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    2. About your lashes - you can color them using permanent coloring! ;)

      I like creating makeup, both - for myself and clients so let's leave a word "natural" to makeup free days :D

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  4. huni you look beautiful either way :) and it is who you are just enhanced since with or without makeup I can see your lovely bone structure - cheek bones and all that :). I do not like to wear makeup out but that's because I don't like feeling hot and my country is a tropical timezone huni so it's always summer here, further more it takes too much time to apply makeup when I could just put some balm on my lips and be out the door, but there are day-or nights rather (since it is often cooler at nights) when I want to do me up some and I get on mi eyeshadows and contour...other than that everyday I sport mi dark circles and bags that come from lack of sleep and having a 1 year old...sweetie I got wrinkles, fine lines and grey hair. I would suggest spending time on skin care rahter than applying makeup, but to each his own because it is what it is! You write about beauty so you gotta blush it up sometimes :)

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    1. Yeah, if I lived in the tropics I probably wouldn't wear as much makeup. We get warm, humid summers in Michigan because we're surrounded by the Great Lakes and wearing a lot of makeup is almost a waste. It just melts right off and makes me look like a raccoon. And I used to spend so much time making my skin healthy, I really didn't need much for makeup. I don't know when I started getting so lazy with my skin care routine but it has got to stop. I think after I get my new skincare routine set into motion I'm going to do a comparison between the pictures of my face all natural from this post and pictures of my face all natural after I've been taking proper care of my skin for about a month.I think it would be interesting to see just how much a good skin care routine improves the look of your face.

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  5. You look fantastic with and without makeup, but I really think the choice is down to you!

    I didn't think I was out of the ordinary at all but I think at leas half of the time I wear no makeup at all and I genuinely don't care. That's not to say that I think I look good either - my skin is patchy, my eye bags are huge and my face has no definition whatsoever but ultimately I just don't feel the need to wear makeup all the time. That said, I also feel that someone's makeup is an extension of themselves. Everything we wear and put on our bodies is a choice and these all add up to a full version of ourselves that we have shaped and formed. Though I don't really care if people see me without any makeup at all, I actually feel more like 'myself' (or the version of myself that I like best) when I'm wearing the kind of makeup that I like.

    So for me it's not about being pretty or looking 'right', but about self expression. Phew, that was a bit of an essay!

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    1. Thanks! I do prefer the way I look with makeup, my bags get pretty bad sometimes, lol. I just feel like there's a certain stigma attached to those who don't wear makeup, and I wanted to be like "Hey! It's totally okay to not wear makeup. You're not going to look super sickly or gross, you're beautiful the way you are. Makeup just enhances that beauty."

      thanks so much for sharing your opinions! This has been a super fun discussion. :)

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  6. love your face with or without makeup :)!! i rarely wear makeup to supermarket and most of the time you can see me with very little makeup. i sometimes feel like i should wear more in my everyday life but i've decided to wear makeup only if it pleases ME and when I feel it would be fun to do more makeup. doing the artsy-fartsy stuff for my blog kind of usually is enough for me on that day so for the rest of the day i usually go with just brows and blush :). wearing a dramatic look sometimes is a very fun thing though so i also enjoy doing those looks but i've decided to wear what i feel like wearing :) and that's usually almost bare face or full drag queen look :D. and for some weird reason both of those options seem to be considered "wrong" :D. what a weird world :D!!

    great post, go catch some sleep now :D!!

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    1. Thanks! and this is how, in my opinion, makeup should be. It should be fun and completely on your terms, you shouldn't feel like you have to wear it to fit into social norms. It bothers me that so many people are so judgmental on what people choose to put on their faces. Your face is the first thing that someone notices when they meet you, therefor it should be a representation of you. And if you're super creative and want to wear very loud and out there makeup, you should! People will see it and know that you're obviously on the artsy side. And if you like to go out totally natural that should say that you're confident in your own skin. It's an extension of one's self.

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  7. This is a great post Danielle! You're still pretty even without makeup on! :)

    I actually believe on 100% natural look. On a daily basis, I don't wear makeup like seriously.I'm 21 and I just started to get the idea of wearing makeup when going out but even that I still prefer to wear makeup only on "special" occasions. Here in Philippines especially in small towns(like in our place), people would actually look at you in a *raised eyebrow* when you have makeup on in streets. It's like we're not used to seeing people having heavy makeups walking in markets or having dinner dates.Yep that's how simple we live. But we do take care of our skin seriously.I think we're more obsess on making our skin perfect and flawless on a permanent way than of the temporary one.(if that's how you put it.hehe) thus Asians are known to using (layering) so many skincare products on face & body. But I don't layer my products yet. I'm still 21,I don't have major problems in my skin yet so I only do a clean-tone-hydrate skincare step. And I flaunt my face bare naked-makeup free to anywhere I go.I'm not scared nor embarrassed by it! ;) And I think ladies should feel the same. At the end of the day, looks don't matter. It's what's inside your heart that does. :)

    Cj
    www.pinayontheloose.com

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    1. I think this is a lovely way to look at beauty, working on permanently beautiful skin as opposed to just hiding your flaws for a temporary skin fix. I wish that this was more popular in American culture, I didn't learn how to properly care for my skin until a year or two ago. But I got my first makeup kit by the time I was 12.

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  8. Great post! I started wearing makeup when I was in my early teen years to try and cover some scars I had from surgery- I really didn't think much of full makeup until closer to my senior year when I had to figure out how to use it (and over did it!) Now days I don't wear much unless I know someone is coming over or I plan on going out. If I know I am going to be staying home I might dab some concealer on some dark patches I have on the side of my face to even out my skin, just cause it bugs me.
    I have been asked/told many times by people who have seen me with out makeup that I look angry/tired/burnt out. I'm sure it comes from blotchy skin, being a tired worn out mom, and the fact that they have just been so used to see me with makeup. I typically go for the natural look like you have in your photo above with makeup, unless I am trying to look "smokey and sexy" for the Hubby :)
    Of course everyone is going to look better with makeup- it evens skin tone and makes your lips and eyes pop! Though I think with society it is just expected for women to make them selves up everyday to look like we care, to be acceptable. (Funny, cause the average guy will complain if we look like we don't care, then they complain that we take too long to get ready.... make up your mind!) =)

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    1. I started wearing makeup when I was in my early teens as well. And I remember my mum getting me my first liquid foundation when I was 13. I didn't know how to apply it properly and just caked it on, and it looked so awful I didn't wear it again until last year, haha. I had just assumed that liquid foundation looked bad on me, not that I was bad at applying it. But I don't have any scarring on my face from anything, I never got acne as a teen and I've never had surgery on my face, so really for everyday I don't tend to need a foundation just a light powder to even out my skin a bit.
      I've also had people ask me if I was angry or if I was feeling okay just because I wasn't wearing any makeup. It's like, I feel fine, this is just how I look. Thanks. lol

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  9. I'm not really a huge make up person either. I do a face regimen every day, and even on days I don't wear makeup, I put on my retinol and my moisturizer and sunscreen. I just don't always think i need it, and sometimes I swear I look better without it.

    I'm a lawyer and have to be in court quite a bit. There are many days I go to settings without make up on. I did it this week. Since I don't wear much even when I do wear it, I don't think there's a huge difference.

    I just want to let my face breathe some days. I definitely don't think it should be deemed unprofessional by women if they don't wear makeup. That's just suggesting that they don't look good enough as they are. NOT the image we want to be promoting for women.

    This was an interesting post. I'm visiting from the Life in a Break Down blog hop. :-)

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  10. hello hun I found u from aqeela hop post and I followed, about the post, I love makeup, but smetimes I am just not in mood to put anything on my face, I have a serious prob with dark circles so I have always to put at least a concealer b4 leaving the house or ppl will stare :P

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