on being makeup-free...

I was incredibly inspired by this post over at The Demoiselles, and decided to follow in their footsteps by posting a photo of myself...without any makeup. (I know, the very idea makes me nauseous, too.) But I guess there's something about it that feels incredibly liberating. I don't know why, really. But it does. And I figure it's just another step in my quest for complete and utter self-acceptance. (Or, at the very least, learning to love the bits of myself that I consider to be flaws, instead of beautiful.)

When I look at this photo, I am surprised to say that it's not as bad as I thought it would be. I mean, sure, I look like I'm twelve - but, at the same time, I guess I'd rather look fresh and young as opposed to old and haggard, eh? I don't wear a huge amount of makeup on a daily basis, but I'll admit to being quite lost without my MAC Studio Fix powder and my favorite mascara. And bronzer. And eye-liner. And lipgloss.

I do feel much more insecure when I don't have all my makeup on - when I feel like my eyes disappear into my face and my cheeks are extra rosy. I periodically make an effort to go out and about without any eye makeup, or without really doing my hair, and see how I feel. And really, it's never as bad as I think it's going to be - I realize that most of the time I end up being extra friendly and smiling a lot more, in order to cover up any insecurities that I may have. I doubt that anyone has looked at me and thought, "Ew. You are a hot mess. Go put on some mascara, you freak of nature." They probably just think, "Wow, she's extra smiley. That's rather refreshing."

There are certain things I know I have to "cover" in order to look like a decent human being, and I can't very well show up to work looking like I just rolled out of bed - but I guess that it feels good knowing that I can look at myself in the mirror without wearing any makeup, and be okay with the face that looks back. That's the most important thing, anyway. Realizing that although we all pretty much wear a bit of makeup on a daily basis, we don't necessarily need it in order to feel beautiful. And we shouldn't have to.

Okay, your homework for the weekend is to be brave and take a photo of yourself without makeup. (You don't have to share it with the world unless you want extra credit in the form of undying love and admiration.) Exciting, right? And if you're still uncomfortable afterwards, go eat a cookie and then put on a little lipgloss. I don't judge. (Baby steps, people.) In any case, I'd love to see all your gorgeous faces (and feel a little less awkward).