I never thought I would be saying this, but I finally have let go of my addiction to makeup. The reason that I call it an addiction is because I often felt as if I couldn’t go without it. Even though I have had moments of felling good without it, I have always kept a small makeup bag of “goodies”. On the days that I felt empowered barefaced, I’d also have thoughts about not being properly polished or professional. I also believed that I couldn’t have been looking my absolute best on those days.
The process towards my freedom from makeup began with healing and balancing my complexion.
When I worked in cosmetics, it was nearly impossible at the time to find a foundation that had the right amount of yellow and red undertones to match my skin tone. I started formulating my own foundation. Plus I wanted to have a chemical-free product that matched my skin.
As I learned more about oils high in linoleic acid and began using them, my skin began to improve tremendously.
I remember writing about an experience going out in the evening with my husband without makeup. I felt so insecure until I saw a picture that we had taken together that night. I looked fine, even beautiful if I allowed myself to stop looking for faults.
After that evening I tried a One Week Makeup-Free Challenge. It was liberating, and I became accustomed to what I really looked like naturally. Even once I had freed myself from the need of a fully made up face, I still had to at least have my eyebrows done, lined eyes, bronzer, and/or a bold red lip.
Now years later I decided to free myself from makeup completely.
I’m not performing at the moment, so I no longer need a stash for stage makeup or auditions. I also have been downsizing a lot this year which I can get into in another article. So I decided to toss out what little makeup I had left including the ingredients that I was using to make some of the items. At first I thought I must be absolutely crazy, but now weeks later I’m astonished by what I am discovering from truly being makeup-free.
Since I gave up makeup my skin has improved even more than before.
I feel that it may have a lot to do with not even allowing natural makeup to be ingested by my pores. By not having to remove makeup from my skin in the evenings, I’m able to enjoy a gentler skin care regimen. No longer am I consumed with cleaning my makeup brushes as not to transfer bacteria from my makeup to my face. My eyebrows have actually thickened up a bit too.
The most rewarding aspect of releasing this obsession has been the peace I’ve made with myself in the mirror.
I’m still within my first year of being a new mother, so I don’t have the abundance of beauty sleep I had available to me before. Some days I look down right tired, and I’m ok with that. I haven’t missed the idea of concealer or mascara to “make things better”. Since I know I am wonderfully made in the image and likeness of God, I’ve decided to embrace it fully.
Lastly I love that I have been able to simplify my beauty regimen and what items are in it. I LOVE minimalism. Finally giving up makeup has been another step in this direction.
Have you ever struggled with wanting to stop wearing makeup?
(Image by Dawn Michelle)
Fröken Minimalist says
I used to have acne, so I usually used concealer or foundation. After taking Accutane and my acne went away, I never wear makeup. When I had acne it was a lot harder going barefaced though!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Fröken Minimalist,
It definitely is much easier to go bare faced if your skin is clear. I started focusing more on skin care years ago before I was even comfortable going a few days aye without makeup. Forget about throwing it out back then. I didn’t really understand then that how my skin looked also had so much to do with my internal health. It really is a journey. Thanks for your comment!
Sandy says
Bold and liberating step, Dawn! You look great.
I like that Alicia Keys brought awareness to this beauty option! It’s all in how you “rock it.”
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Sandy,
Thank you so much. Since our culture often takes note of what celebrities do, it was a bold step for her to bring awareness to this. The pressure to be “camera ready” in the performing industry is insane. It is such a double standard too. I’ve never heard anyone say to a man to come camera ready for an audition or industry casting. I have spent more time getting made up for certain auditions than I have spent at the actual castings. I am so grateful for this freedom!
Amber says
I think this is such a brave step! I’m really proud of you and have always thought of you as a beautiful, strong and inspiring woman, with or without makeup. I’m not sure if I could let go of my makeup completely. I do recognize myself in your story, but makeup is too much of a hobby for me to give it up. However, I wear makeup a lot less than I did before and like you I’ve learned to love myself without it too.
P.S. I’ve been following your blog for a while now and I love it. You are so admirable! Keep up the good work.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Amber,
Thank you. Just like you I weaned myself off of makeup over a few years never thinking I would just stop wearing it all together. Whether you decide to or not, do what is best for you. I truly appreciate your kind words too.
Tam says
I’ve been grappling with the notion of going makeup-free. With having oily, acneic skin for all of my adult life, I felt like I had to wear makeup to conceal all that was going on underneath. Makeup was a necessary burden. Once I got on a good skincare regimen and my skin cleared, makeup became less of a necessity and more enjoyable. However, I accumulated too much when I felt like I looked less! Now, I’m practically drowning in makeup and it’s overwhelming. Furthermore, I’m way more into skincare now. It makes a world of difference to my self-esteem-more than makeup ever did.
Although I will probably never go completely make-up free (dark undereye circles are real), I have gone more days than ever skipping makeup.
Congrats on your journey!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Tam,
I used to have really noticeable undereye bags. I still to this day remember sitting in a woman’s makeup chair for a dance job and her telling me of a cosmetic surgery to remove them because they were so bad. I never got the surgery, but I did learn down the road that the undereye area has a relation to kidney/liver health. I shared this article which has a Chinese face mapping photo which shares the specifics. The better my internal health has become the better my undereye area has become. I used to call them my “Louis Vuitton” bags. Good skin care and most importantly internal health is everything. Thanks for your comment!
Teri says
What an empowering step you took! (And your face absolutely glows without make-up anyway! You radiate both inner and outer beauty.)
I have struggled since age 13 with wanting to go bare faced again, but have never felt “safe” enough, if that makes sense. I am in my late 40’s, and have spent thousands upon thousands of dollars and so much time and effort trying to treat and cover up acne, rosacea, under eye circles (genetic in my case, according to my dermatologist), and now wrinkles. I want so much to be brave enough to go bare faced every day.
If I examine what I am truly afraid of, and where that fear originates, I discover I am afraid of not measuring up, of being made fun of for my looks, which are a minority in this country. The fear has its roots in childhood and adolescence (peers), the beauty-obsessed culture we live in, and from my family of origin: three places where looks, physique, and athletic performance were top values. It was not safe to be the real me. So I have learned that a bare face equalled vulnerability. How absolutely upside down!!
But how do I begin to change? Inner work, I’m sure. A long process. But today, reading your post, is my first step.
Thank you for inviting me to examine why I continue to mask my real self based on an unhealthy value system where human worth is determined by the backwards opinions of others’ judgment about my looks.
With gratitude,
Teri
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Teri,
I appreciate your honesty. I have spent more than I’d like to admit on makeup over the years. You are not alone.
Certain societal values seem to keep us in chains if we allow them to. At least that is how I felt with my struggle with wearing makeup daily especially being a part of the entertainment industry. I didn’t feel this pressure as much as a dancer in New York, but when I moved to Los Angeles everything changed being that this is industry is more tv/film than stage.
Beauty is an absolutely lovely aspect of life, but I feel it is commercially distorted for profit. I didn’t realize how powerful it was until I started struggling with not wanting to wear it. Inner work, focusing on inner health, and creating a good skin care regimen is how I started my journey. Thanks for joining the conversation on this.
Gaëlle says
I do not wear make up. I always thought it was taking time away from sleeping or doing other important things in my morning routine. I occasionally put a bit of mascara on and/or lipstick when I feel like doing a bit of vava voom but as I wear glasses, the mascara is not really seen and I tend to accidentally eat the lipstick before getting to the restaurant. And I think this is why people think I am way younger than I actually am.
So welcome back to the sisterhood of ‘Make up is good and so is bare face’.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Gaëlle,
Good for you! Yes it is very time consuming and expensive too. Even the less expensive makeup adds up overtime. Putting it on in the morning and taking it off at night is time that can be spent otherwise. You are lucky you never got in too deep. Have a great weekend!
Lisa says
This has been on my mind so much lately. I recently had a baby girl and I’ve been reflecting on what messages I give her regarding beauty. I had a few experiences which brought this to the forefront of my mind recently: (1) I was putting on a bit of eyeshadow and my three year old niece walked by and saw me putting it on. About 30 minutes later she walked into the living room wearing a full face of makeup that she had found in her mothers belongings. I thought it was so interesting how quickly she began to imitate. (2) I had a close girlfriend express to me that she didn’t feel beautiful or polished without makeup on and I know this sentiment is common among many women. The next day, a mutual friend of ours saw her without makeup early in the morning and commented that he didn’t realize how beautiful she was until then. It made me think that if we aren’t careful, it can really distort reality. Anyhow, I love your thoughts on this and find myself moving in the same direction.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for sharing this. Children watch us carefully and definitely emulate us. I also feel that wearing makeup can distort your self image. I find it interesting that some men truly do prefer you without makeup, yet at the same time will compliment you when you are all done up.
For some makeup maybe just like putting on an evening gown, yet for others it is depended upon for self worth. It is very complicated and challenging to create your own sense of beauty with media blaring every where. Yet it is necessary.
Asaake says
You’re so beautiful.
The opposite is the case for me. I am learning to wear a little make here and there now.
I have never enjoyed makeup or felt the need to wear them but now I just fancy a little eye liner and lipstick here and there. Interesting how life goes.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Asaake,
Life truly is interesting. I’ve been battling with being dependent upon makeup to feel good about myself. I’d been wearing it daily since I was 16 and wore a full face with lashes for dance performances throughout high school and on. You are lucky to just be getting into it now. Enjoy!
Janine says
Yes, I feel this. I remember wearing makeup frequently years ago. Then I decided to let it go after choosing to wearing my hair in its natural state. Then I began to eat less processed foods. I went without makeup for years, until I decided I wanted to play with it again. It was actually your site that helped me to ease back into using makeup. What’s great about what you’re doing now is that you enjoy what you look like with and without makeup. You are no longer addicted to it. Congrats! 🙂
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Janine,
Eating healthy really makes all the difference with how your skin looks. Good skin care is a much smaller part of the equation although it is still very important. Thank you so much for your comment and the encouragement too!
Simona says
Dear Dawn Michelle, I noticed the same thing about make-up. I used to use organic make-up but, since September, I have been using just a red, organic lipstick on my face. And, from July, Aleppo soap and aloe gel to wash and moisturize. Things have dramatically change: my skin has never been clear and healthy like this last period. I couldn’t imagine to come back even to my organic powder or blush…even if I still haven’t had the courage to throw any of my products. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience, I find lots of inspiration!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Simona,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. I knew chemical filled makeup created a lot of skin problems, but I had no idea how much better your skin could be by just allowing your skin to breath in general. It’s great you’ve found the perfect balance for you.
Himawari says
Seriously, you look beautiful with or without makeup and I’m sure everyone who sees you would think the same. But I can relate so much to everything you’ve written. I’ve stopped wearing anything on my face a few months ago, and that includes moisturizers or face powder. I was never a full face makeup girl but I did like a little B.B. cream on my spots or face powder to take the shine off my nose. But for months now I haven’t used anything on my skin and it’s been challenging. The lack of oil means my face is doing what it loves to do, which is peel. Like a snake. And my nose is nice and shiny quite a lot. But I’ve made peace with it, especially since for some reason it looks just the same as if I were wearing makeup in pictures.
But I do still cling to eyebrow pencil, eyeliner, and sometimes mascara. I’ve gotten tired of any lip coloring because it’s always smearing or coming off anyway and I hate having to reapply constantly. I love a bright red lip but it’s just too much trouble for anything but very special occasions. I can’t help wanting to emphasize my eyes and brows though, because my lashes and eyebrows are half white blond hair and therefore invisible! It’s just frustrating when I feel like half my features disappear, and although it’s ok in person, in photos it’s the worst. Honestly I kind of wish we didn’t have cameras that are so easily accessible, because most of my makeup decisions are based on not looking horrific in the photos everyone insists on taking all the time. I used to happily be completely makeup free back before phone cameras were ubiquitous. Oh well. At least my routine is fast now and not too troublesome.
I respect what you’re doing so much!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Himawari,
You made a good point about wearing makeup to look good in photos. Social media has complicated things in that sense. In general if the lighting isn’t good the photo isn’t worth taking if you are wearing makeup or not. Also sometimes it is really good to take a break from even your skin care routine as it allows your skin to balance itself. Thanks for joining the conversation.
Himawari says
Thanks, Dawn Michelle. You’re always so kind. I do think that so much of the current makeup trends are due to cameras and how they distort us and make us feel ugly. In fact I think a lot of people get plastic surgery to look good on these phone cameras. When I see pinhole camera or old-fashioned film camera pictures, people looked so much better, but digital cameras distort. I’m sure as a model you know all about this. But most people don’t, and they assume what they see in the worst picture of themselves is the truth. I try to tell everyone I know that they shouldn’t believe the photos, but I can see how strongly it affects some people.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Himawari,
This is something to think about. Older cameras also didn’t capture your pores. We most likely overanalyze ourselves nowadays.
Kara says
Dear Dawn,
I love your blog so much! I was wondering what sunscreen you recommend for us who only do well with high linoleic oils. I’d forgo the foundation if I had a sunscreen to protect my face from sun burn and spots.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Kara,
Thank you! I shared some of my favorite chemical-free sunscreens here. I wear sunscreen mainly for long term outdoor activities but not daily. I hope the list is helpful.
L Neal says
I work in the production side of the cosmetics and fragrance industry and the irony is I don’t wear a lot of makeup. I am way more into hair, skin and body care and fragrance. I do like a polished look but have come to a point that I do not like any base makeup and I keep the rest to a minimum. I’ve never liked base makeup, yet at certain times while battling acne and scars felt I HAD to use it. Then I would start wearing it, like the effect for a bit and then hate it. I don’t like not being able to touch my face without transfer, the not clean feeling, the way it breaks down over the course of the day. My skin is too oily to keep base on and it just never looks right, plus it is so hard to match color. I decided to just focus even more on my skin on not care if scars show while my face heals. The overall texture is good but the dark spots are a pain. But honestly I look better with the scars showing than I do after a few hours with foundation on. I still use other products but am happy to have found my comfort zone. I can also go completely without ANY makeup and feel confident. This is a good mental space to be in. Boys and men don’t wear makeup, so we shouldn’t feel it’s a NEED.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi L Neal,
Thanks for joining the conversation. I have never been a fan of foundation transferring on clothing or anything for that matter. It is important to find your comfort zone with makeup if you do wear it. I agree that eeping the focus on skin care is very important.
LRW says
I can totally relate to this article. There was a time when I would never leave the house without a full face of makeup, even if it was just running a quick errand or anything (whether big or small) that required me to leave the house. And if I didn’t put on anything leaving the house, I felt very insecure.
Then one day my husband and I relocated b/c of his job and I was able to keep mine and work remotely full-time at the house. Because I was no longer leaving the house as much to go into an office, my face remained makeup-free and as time went on, I began getting used to my face with no makeup and started to appreciate it more than ever. And because I was getting so used to my bare face that when I would go out I began noticing the ridiculous amount of time I was spending applying the makeup and then when I was done, it was too much on my face and I looked too ‘done up.’ I couldn’t believe that this used to be my daily routine.
I quickly ditched everything including other maintenance tweaks like getting my eyebrows and nails done. I no longer wanted to look perfect. I no longer wanted to look like or be the girl that spent too much time and effort getting dressed. I no longer wanted the perfect brows, the perfect manicured nails and the perfect hair. I wanted to look effortless and natural and me spending more time at home b/c of my job allowed me to appreciate my natural beauty more than I ever have before.
Being at home more and not wearing makeup helped me to discover me without all the unnecessary additions, gave me a stronger appreciation of myself and boosted my confidence more than makeup could ever do, saved me money, and gave me back that precious thing called time. A win all around.
So cheers to you on this beautiful discovery!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi LRW,
Thanks for sharing this and joining the conversation! Effortless and natural is definitely a beautiful thing and a very freeing way to be.
Steph Lane says
I want to throw away my makeup. I have been reflecting on this very topic for some time. Makeup for me was a rite of passage but also an attempt to gain acceptance as a young girl in the “Mean Girl” world. I have done makeup fasts and have gone days without it and have only experienced freedom of self expression time saved in the morning and night as you describe. Marketing has convinced me I look frumpy childish and unprofessional without it yet NOBODY noticed when I stopped wearing it. I have limited myself to one of each foundation concealer eyeshadow eyeliner and mascara but still even to purchase these things at the drugstore is pricey. And not to make it a gendered thing but men aren’t expected to paint their face to please society, why should women be?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Steph,
Makeup can definitely feel like a rite of passage as a young girl. I had my first makeover at a department store for my 16th birthday. Although I loved it, it feels good to be free from it now.
Marina says
I have been using eyeliner only and very rarely lip gloss for over a year. My skin isn’t flawless but looks fine on it’s own. I keep things simple with just a little bit of oil for moisturizing (And now using your Azuha elixir). But lately I feel the need to look even better, nearly perfect…I bought some mineral makeup but I don’t think it’s given me what I was looking for. I realized too that this feeling came at a time when my self esteem dropped for personal reasons.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Marina,
Thanks so much for supporting my organic skin care line! I hope that you are truly enjoying it. I understand feeling the need to look perfect too well. I’ve had to embrace looking perfectly imperfect. On the days I’m not feeling my best it can be tough. I still love the freedom of not wearing makeup though.
MLu says
You are beautiful!
Dawn Michelle says
Thank you so much.
Lydia says
Such a beautiful post from a beautiful woman! Thank you for sharing this, and your article on your current routine!
Dawn Michelle says
Thank you for the compliment Lydia. I hope you’re having a great day.