I recently decided to challenge myself to go a week without wearing makeup. My face was breaking out worse than usual and I knew my skin needed a break, but could my self-esteem handle it? I never wear much makeup anyways and I was not prepared for all the emotions and challenges I had to work through this week just because I didn't wear makeup. I never expected this outcome.
Day 1:
Well, of course, my face would break out when I choose to go without makeup. In addition to acne, I haven't slept at all so the dark circles under my eyes are a sight. I don't even want to think about how badly I need my eyebrows waxed. I am dedicated and all natural.
It was weird to wake up and have like 30 minutes to spare before I left for class. I was able to sit in bed, drink coffee and relax. I was nervous last night about what people would think but after I didn't sleep at all, I was too tired to care. I was also able to take a nap in the middle of the day and not wake up with clumpy mascara so that was nice.
Confidence Level: 3/10
Day 2:
I felt a bit more confident today as I was over the shock of people seeing me without makeup. My face still looks awful but I was able to get 9 hours of sleep last night so my dark circles are better. Two miracles happened: I was able to rub my eyes at one point and I put on a white t-shirt without worrying.
The hardest part was that I had to dress up for an event and I couldn't do a full face of makeup. I felt weird about people seeing me with a hot dress but no makeup so I hid my face. Once the party started, I forgot about it and enjoyed the entire party until I saw pictures of myself. I also won best dressed!
Confidence Level: 5/10
Day 3:
Today is rainy and cold and I was able to roll out of bed and bundle up. I don't care how I look because I am just trying to get through the last day of classes. I am not sure if I feel more confident or just more comfortable. With the rainy weather, I wasn't the only one skipping makeup for the day so I didn't feel like I stood out.
Confidence Level: 5/10
Day 4:
I was inside all day studying for finals and I did a face mask while I was working so my skin is looking a lot better. No one saw me all day so it didn't matter what other people thought so I had to figure out how I felt about myself.
I looked at myself in the mirror and wished that I didn't have dark circles. I mainly just miss concealer and mascara. I love how my skin feels without makeup and I feel comfortable.
It feels odd thinking that I have gone this long without makeup because this is rare. Even when I have had the flu I would wear makeup to go to the doctor. I watched a few makeup tutorials today and I was just itching to do a full face of makeup. I also accidentally opened my makeup drawer instead of the one above it and it broke my heart.
Confidence Level: 6/10
Day 5:
I spent the entire day inside studying for finals again. Honestly, since my skin has cleared up, I feel a lot more comfortable. I want people to see me and not all the red spots on my face. I also had a new guy start flirting with me so I was amazed someone found me attractive without makeup.
I went to one event in my dorm to grab food. Considering I was in my pajamas, I thought I should make an attempt to look half decent so I curled my hair a little so I felt human. I honestly felt so confident walking dowstairs in my pajamas and no makeup.
Confidence Level: 8/10
Day 6:
I spent the entire day inside studying for finals again. But I was so stressed my face broke out again so I was doing face masks and spot treatment. It was so aggravating because I have not worn makeup for six days and my skin looks awful.
Aside from the breakouts, it feels absolutely amazing to be able to rub my eyes at any point. After studying at my laptop for hours, my eyes would water and I don't have to worry about my makeup running.
Confidence Level: 6.5/10
Day 7:
So today was my last day without makeup and I have been so emotional about it. First, I want to attest that drinking water does help underage circles because I didn't sleep at all last night but I have been drinking water all week and my dark circles are almost nonexistent. I was procrastinating and looking through old photos and I honestly felt like I was seeing myself for the first time. I cried to my friend because I have never looked at myself and thought I was beautiful except for when I had a full face of makeup for prom or something. Now I can look in the mirror when I just woke up and I can't stop smiling!
My entire self esteem has changed and my heart is so full. I have repeatedly been told how beautiful I am by family and friends but I have never seen it in myself until now. I cannot explain how important that is! My entire attitude going into finals and everything else in life has been better. By putting my makeup away for just one week, my life has changed and that's not an exaggeration. I am crying now and I don't have to worry about my makeup running and it's so great!