Today I accomplished something that the guys back in my school days used to laughingly dare the girls to do (though I don’t believe that they had many – or ANY! – takers): I left the house sans maquillage – that is, without makeup.
Amazing, right?!
Actually, taking that dare these days isn’t a huge deal to me – I’ve done it on occasion for various reasons, most notably in recent days due to that stupid beeswax allergy that decided to make its presence known. But today’s adventure was a little different, because it was the first time in AGES that I’ve gone out without makeup AND wearing contact lenses (instead of conveniently hiding my poor bare eyes behind my glasses).
Quelle horreur!
I don’t really wear a whole lot of makeup normally (at least I don’t think I do!), but there is a noticeable difference when I skip it altogether – I look pale, exhausted, and (worst of all) depressed. Anytime I’ve gone without mascara and eyeliner I inevitably get asked, in tones of deep concern, “Are you ok?” or, “Are you tired?” And I don’t actually LIKE the way I look when I leave the house sans maquillage – I feel naked, unfinished, and conspicuous, as if I’ve forgotten some essential piece of clothing or worn mismatched shoes.
And today’s adventure was particularly interesting, because not only did I have a hair appointment in the morning (i.e., and hour and a half of sitting in front of A Very Big Mirror), but also I had planned to make a trek to the mall to see what I could find in the way of beeswax-free makeup. Seriously, do you know what it feels like to walk into Sephora without makeup?! Talk about a recipe for insecurity!
Thankfully – or rather hopefully – I won’t have to do it again, as between Sephora and LUSH I was able to find both mascara and eyeliner in beeswax/propolis-free varieties (I say hopefully because I haven’t actually tried them yet). Here they are, along with a pretty scarf I picked up along the way (because hey, pretty scarf!).
So there you go. I survived a day out in public without makeup. It CAN be done!
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Are you ok with leaving the house sans maquillage?
Please share!

Twitter: RamblinGarden
January 19, 2015
Yes, I’ve done it. And I don’t dye my gray hair anymore, either (although I reserve the right to start dyeing again.) Even in my almost-senior age, I am still, at times, a rebel.
Alana recently posted… When Things Were Simple
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 19, 2015
I still dye mine – not to cover the grey, as I don’t have all THAT much yet, but because I love having fun with colour. Just got new highlights today and I think they look great!
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 21 – Sans maquillage
That is a very pretty scarf! As for the makeup, I can’t relate much as I’ve gone most of my life without daily makeup. It’s preferable for me, though on the rare occasion I do put on makeup, it’s always a little fun! 🙂
Life Breath Present recently posted… Quiet Busy Mornings, Loud Busy Afternoons, In Between Evenings, & Smooshed Nights
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 19, 2015
I don’t wear MUCH makeup, but I do have fun with it. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 21 – Sans maquillage
I LOVE Lush!! They have this really great ocean salt face wash that’s amazing. No Make-Up is liberating. I am a natural girl, and I almost never wear make-up, so going into Sephora bare-faced is totally normal for me 🙂 But congrats on going out with no make-up, and I wish you the best of luck with your allergies. Happy Monday!
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Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 19, 2015
I could probably get used to not wearing makeup, but I do have fun with it. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 21 – Sans maquillage
Twitter: 1951
January 19, 2015
I went to the movies today without any at all!
Carol Cassara recently posted… Motherly advice in a cute little book
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 19, 2015
Hey, it’s dark in there! 😉
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 21 – Sans maquillage
Many years ago I had to go without makeup due to eye irritation (although I did wear lipstick… apparently lipstick doesn’t count as makeup to me), and I remember all of the comments… “You look so tired”… the delicately asked “Is everything okay?”… and my personal favorite “You don’t look good.” Rest assured that if you have to go without for a while, the questions do stop. Fingers crossed that the new stuff works… Makeup is fun! And remember, with those gorgeous eyes, lovely complexion, and all the other wonderful things that make you fabulous, you always look great!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 19, 2015
I’m really hoping the new stuff works – the questions get really old! And thank you for the lovely compliments. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 21 – Sans maquillage
I’ve had my days too. In fact most of the days. Forget makeup… though nowadays I am making an effort to wear something which does not look like gym clothes. But there are days.. I love to spend a few hours– cross that — minutes in front of the mirror 😛
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 20, 2015
I work from home, so there are many days where I’m totally makeup-free and wearing my most comfortable clothes (no matter how ugly)!
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 21 – Sans maquillage
Twitter: DebbieDoglady
January 20, 2015
You are brave, going into a makeup store without any on! 🙂
Good for you – so empowering, yes? I often skip the eye makeup. because of allergies and dry eye syndrome, but then if I go out, the dark glasses come on, whether the sun is shining or not.
I hope the new mascara works for you, Laurel.
Debbie D. recently posted… WORDS AND MUSIC – #MicroblogMondays 21 #MondayMusings
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 20, 2015
I don’t know, I can’t say I’ve reached the empowering stage yet, LOL! More like apologetic at this point. 😉
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 21 – Sans maquillage
yes, I do not wear make up either! But mascara is a must to saver from the comments! I started dyeing my eyelashes because I could not stand the mascara smudges. It is a very inexpensive fix at a trusted facility and lasts for a few months.
I am glad you found some products to try! Keep us posted!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 20, 2015
My lashes are fairly dark to begin with, but my eyes really seem to need liner to define them. I think I’d like to try getting an eyeliner tattoo – I’ve heard that’s really effective. Probably awfully expensive, though!
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 21 – Sans maquillage
Twitter: CorinneBlogs
January 20, 2015
I kept getting questions about my health too when I used mascara regularly. Now I’ve gotten so used to not using makeup that when I do, Jose asks why I’m ‘dressing up’! 😉
I’m glad you’ve found the source of the allergy too and hope the new products treat you well!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 20, 2015
I guess it really is all what you get used to! Here’s hoping the new products work. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 21 – Sans maquillage
I haven’t worn makeup in ages, well except for my son’s wedding in August of 2013. None since. Before that I hadn’t worn any in maybe eight or more years. It just isn’t important to me. Hair…yeah…that I still do. My hair is really, really gray. When I don’t dye it, I look about 65. When I dye it I look maybe 55. I’m 59 so it’s a no brainer for me.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 20, 2015
Hair dye is a great option – I have a lot of fun with it. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 21 – Sans maquillage
Sitting in front of a big mirror in public without makeup. I have done that while my dark circles keep an eye on how my blow dry is going on ! It’s tough, though i get out without make up not even a Kohl, people keep asking are you not sleeping enough or dieting or what not. BTW I am also a big fan of LUSH products, soaps.
Dropping in from Write Tribe. Drop in sometime.
Deaf Mamma recently posted… Dental Porn to Panacea !
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 20, 2015
Very nice to meet you – so glad you stopped by! And yes, LUSH products are lovely. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 21 – Sans maquillage
Err!! Will you think I am weird if I tell you I never wear make up? Like none at all!! Not even powder or eyeliner! I would have gladly taken that dare which your college mates used to present 😉
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 20, 2015
Looking at your userpic photo, it doesn’t seem as though you need any makeup at all – lucky you! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 21 – Sans maquillage
Twitter: suzyq1810
January 20, 2015
Yes it can. I do it all the time. I love my make up free days!
Suzy recently posted… #MicroblogMonday – Writing Resolutions for 2015
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 20, 2015
Most of my days tend to be makeup-free, as I work from home, so it’s fun to play with it when I go out!
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 21 – Sans maquillage
Twitter: nabanita21
January 20, 2015
I only used lip gloss and khol pencil , not much of a make-up person but I don’t like leaving my home without either… I just look sick when my eyes are not lined with khol or kajal!
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Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 20, 2015
I’m fortunate to have fairly good skin and don’t really need much in the way of face makeup, but really do look and feel better when I’m wearing eye makeup (especially liner). And it’s fun to play!
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 21 – Sans maquillage
Twitter: writercat
January 20, 2015
Glad you found some makeup without beeswax. Hope it works better for you. I would find it easy to take the no makeup challenge since I tend to go without these days. In earlier days when I worked full time, it was a different story and I would always put on mascara, foundation and blush. Now I save the makeup for when I’m performing in concerts. I have started covering the grey in my hair though as it was making me feel very old. I notice lately that my eyebrows are becoming bristly and my eyelashes more sparse making it harder to apply mascara. Aging and menopause. Sigh. Gotta love it. Double sigh. There are always those eyelash extensions if I want to look like a character in a Disney cartoon. Think I’ll pass!
Cathy Graham recently posted… #MicroblogMonday – Small Actions Do Make a Difference
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 20, 2015
I do too, now that I work from home – which makes it all the more fun to wear it when I’m going out! And I totally hear you on the aging thing… I swear, everything started going downhill as soon as I hit 40!
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 21 – Sans maquillage
Twitter: modmomelleroy
January 20, 2015
I’ve done it too. Actually, one day last week, I planned on staying home, but my son got home from school asking to go for a haircut. I went out in sweats, a baseball cap and no makeup. When I looked in the mirror I realized I had dry red splotches on my face. (Winter’s taking it’s toll) Fortunately, I didn’t scare anybody!
Linda Roy (elleroy was here) recently posted… The Fitness Goals of an Eight Year Old
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 21, 2015
LOL… I’ll bet we look worse to ourselves than we actually do to anyone else!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 37
I’m the exact opposite — I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve had makeup on my face. I don’t think I even own anything right now. I would love to know how to apply makeup, but I don’t have the patience to learn. Is it awful that I didn’t even realize that they still made makeup with beeswax?
Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 21, 2015
Well, if you don’t need or want to wear it, it’s certainly a money-saver! From my research it seems like almost all mascaras contain beeswax, which is a real pain if you’re a mascara-wearer. You’re lucky if you don’t have to worry about it!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 37
Twitter: ellytreehugger
January 21, 2015
I have gone without makeup for ages! However, I would say about the past year or two, give or take (as not sure when I started), I finally started working makeup on a regular basis, at least to work. Otherwise, like you, I too look pale with deep dark circles under the eyes. I found a nice mineral mascara that actually lengthens my lashes – I swear the first that I have encountered that does that! – and it’s 100% all natural ingredients. (By the way, a product can be marked ‘natural’ if only 10% is.) 😉 <3
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Twitter: alphabetsalad
January 21, 2015
Great that you found something you like! I hope I’ve finally found something myself, in my new LUSH mascara.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 37
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