I Stopped Wearing Makeup And This Is How It Helped Me

Being a girly girl I always enjoyed wearing make-up, it started in high school and continued right up until my late twenties. As girls and women we are made to feel as though it is a necessity. There are advertisements everywhere we look, from T.V to social media, make up tutorials have become increasingly popular over the last couple of years. Everybody wants to look their best, but they are hiding their natural beauty. It was during my trip to Thailand that I stopped wearing makeup, for no reason other than the heat, in thirty degrees there seemed no point, it would only melt off my face. When I returned home from my trip I continued without make up, I stopped wearing makeup and this is how it helped me.

1. It developed my confidence

I gained confidence through not wearing make-up. I noticed that people began to compliment my skin and comment that I didn’t look much different without it. Of course, it could be that I am just lucky enough to have kind people around me. However, I do think that through not wearing it I have developed a confidence I never had. Before my trip to Thailand I would worry about the way I looked. If I wasn’t wearing make-up I couldn’t leave the house, I wouldn’t even go to the local corner shop without wearing at least mascara.

I had a mind-set that if I was in a country that wasn’t my own it wouldn’t matter if I wasn’t wearing makeup. I think a lot of girl’s feel this way, but why? Why is it ok to be fresh faced when your abroad, but not in your home town? We are pressured by modern society and cultures to look a certain way, but you don’t have to give in! It requires a lot of confidence to get to a stage were you will proudly go out without wearing no makeup, but trust me once you take that first step you’ll never look back. You will be a happier, more confident version of yourself. I know that’s how I felt when I stopped wearing makeup!

2. It stopped break outs

I used to have problematic skin, especially during my teenage years. I had a forehead full of acne, I was not a cute kid. I was so insecure about this that I would use make up to try and cover my spots and blemishes, but this was the worst thing I could have done. Most of us already know that covering our skin in foundation or powder is not the best move when it comes to break outs, yet it didn’t stop me wearing it. This is how you get yourself stuck in a cycle you will never get out of.

If you can give your skin a break for even just a week you will notice the benefits. It might be a good idea to have this break during a holiday away from home, or a week when you haven’t got much planned. Let’s be honest, it is a big shock when you go into the office on a Monday with long eyelashes and plump shiny lips, then turn up Tuesday looking like a zombie. If you do decide to take a break from make-up you could even just leave out the foundation. This is what I chose to do. I still wear mascara because I have fair eyelashes, but I don’t wear anything else. Give it a go, you will see that your skin clears up!

3. It saved me money

Make up is expensive, especially if you want a high quality foundation that will last. It’s also addictive. How any of us girls have gone into the Mac store with the intention of buying just a foundation but come out with primer, mascara, lip gloss, setting lotion… It’s easy to spend money when we believe it’s going to make us look better. If you’re happy with yourself and the way you look you will feel less of a need to buy these products. Ok so you might just want a little mascara, but that’s ok. Just don’t over-do it. Some people buy make up once a month, think about how much money you’re spending. A decent mascara alone costs around £20. Cut down on your make up purchases and watch your bank balance grow.

I know it might be difficult to step away from the make-up, but it definitely has its benefits. Could you go without? Have you ever stopped wearing makeup? Tell us in the comments!

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