I can count with one hand the number of times I’ve worn makeup in my lifetime. Maybe, it started because I just didn’t care or because my mother never offered to teach me about it, but eventually, I just adopted a lack of makeup as one of my trademarks, like my slogan t-shirts and funky bags. As I mature into adulthood, though, I see that beauty products have become a huge empire, and I can’t really understand why. Even some of the online publications for which I write spend time and energy on articles focused on makeup application and the best beauty products on the market. Yet, here I am, continuing to rebel against the world of beautification. Here’s why:
- I don’t see the point in spending the money on it.
Last time I went with a friend into a cosmetics store, I could not get over the prices. The cost of mascara alone was enough for me to go eat lunch somewhere. Maybe, to some, the cost of beauty is a worthy splurge, but I just can’t justify it for myself. I’d rather spend that money on books, food or my one “guilty pleasure:” LuLaRoe.
- I save so much time getting ready in the mornings without it.
The average woman spends around 30 minutes in front of a mirror each morning preparing for the day. As the true minimalist I am, I’ve gotten my routine after a shower down to around five minutes. I simply brush my hair, brush my teeth and go on my way. If that 30 minutes makes you feel special, then great, but this working mother of two covets all the sleep she can get.
- I’m teaching my daughters that I don’t need makeup to be beautiful.
My husband and I are big proponents of allowing our daughters the freedom to be who they are. My 4-year-old loves to wear Pokémon and Star Wars shirts with skirts, and we are proud of her. I think that an important part of this freedom is showing my children that I don’t need to paint my face to be beautiful. My daughters never see me being ashamed of who I am and what I look like. Sure, the day may come where they genuinely want to wear makeup, and when the time comes, I will proudly support them in that. I just want them to wear makeup because they want to, not because they feel they are not beautiful women without it.
- I know that my husband cares about more than just my looks.
I’ll spare you a ton of details, but the first time my husband and I met, I was not only not wearing makeup, but I was in my pajamas because it was Sunday and I was busy completing all the assignments that were due in the next few days. When he later IM’d me and asked if I wanted to go on a date, I knew he liked more than what he saw with his eyes that day. Finding men who see me for who I truly have always been important to me because I’m not gorgeous; I’m a nerd who likes big glasses and inspirational t-shirts from To Write Love on Her Arms. In our 12 years together, my husband has never once commented that he wishes I’d spend more time beautifying myself, and I don’t think he ever will. The fact that my husband doesn’t comment on my makeup-free habit just makes me love him that much more.
As I have been writing this, I’ve been trying to think of the last time I even purchased makeup, and I’m struggling. It was probably when I was a bridesmaid in one of my best friend’s wedding and that was over 5 years ago (Side note: It rained and it was an outdoor wedding, so the makeup was pointless). I just don’t care about makeup, to be completely honest.
If you enjoy wearing it, that’s great, but just make sure you are choosing to spend the time, money and effort because you want to do it, not just because you feel that’s what men expect or because you feel like you aren’t good enough without it. We are all good enough without makeup because we are all beautiful women.
Featured image via Damir Spanic on Unsplash
