I started wearing makeup at the age of 11. Originally this
was a powder foundation compact I borrowed
from my Nans house and then, like most girls this age in the noughties, I
graduated to the ever so coveted dream matte mousse. 3 shades too dark and thick as mud this
launched me into the world of cosmetics – uneducated and easily influenced I
was obsessed with covering my face with whatever all of my friends were
wearing. This continued into my teens and although I finally dropped the dream matte mousse and glitter eyeliner the
demand that I needed to have flawless skin and rosy cheeks had embedded itself
into my brain. I remember waking up for school each day – 2 hours before I was
due to leave the house to start the lengthy process of making myself look ‘presentable’. I would wash my hair, blow dry
it and then curl it each morning (those that know me know that I have natural
ringlets so why I felt this was necessary is beyond me). Then I would sit on
the floor of my bedroom opposite my mirror and obsessively cover every blemish,
coat my lashes in mascara and apply
about 10 layers of lip gloss.
Fast forward 10 years from my Nan's powder foundation compact
and I have been working in beauty PR for over a year. Moving into the
professional world of work was scary, not to mention working with people that
had literally moulded the beauty industry into what it is today. So I would
show up every day as always, with perfectly styled hair and a full face of makeup –
contour and all. Unexpectedly this is when my unhealthy attitude towards beauty
changed. I had always worn makeup to feel comfortable and confident, and I worried
people were scanning me thinking ‘you look tired’ or ‘your skin is awful’. I
began to notice that the people around me who I admired and looked up to would
show up one day with blue mascara and a red lip, and the next with just a hint
of tinted moisturiser. They didn’t care.
They weren’t wearing makeup because they felt the need to blend in, they were
wearing makeup because they were excited about it and if they weren’t, they
didn’t wear it. So one day, months into my first job, I bit the bullet and headed into work fresh faced and completely makeup free. And no one cared – obviously. Making this step has had an
overwhelming impact on my mental health. It has taught me to love the way I
look but also allowed me to rediscover the love I had for beauty. I own more
nude lipsticks than days in the month and I am constantly having to adjust my
storage space to accommodate my every growing collection but this love no
longer stems from insecurity in myself, but a passion in something that has
pushed me to where I am today.
If you wear makeup every day and love the way it makes you look and feel then that’s amazing,
but if you’re waking up 1 hour early every morning to do you makeup because
you're worried about what other people will think – don’t. If you embrace how you look and learn to love yourself others
will too.
Want to give this a go and head out fresh faced? If you are worried
about stripping your face completely here are four products I use on a daily
basis that make me feel more confident in myself and around others…
An avid fan of the winged liner and the “I’m not wearing false eyelashes but I’m going to damn sure try and
look like I am” look, heading into work at 9am with nothing on my eyes was
definitely an adjustment. Although I enjoy the freedom having no eye makeup on gives
me I have found two tools that boost my lashes – and my confidence. The Joan Collins ClassAct Lash Treatment Gel, a peptide booster containing extract of seaweed, sea algae
and lemon flavenoid promotes growth and fullness. I apply this treatment every
evening before I go to bed and I love that this works to give me fuller looking
lashes without the damaging effect harsh mascara and makeup remover can have
on them. The Space NK EyelashCurler, perfectly contoured and easy to
use as the curved metal surface fits easily over the lashes – gently curls
my lashes and gives the illusion of bigger and brighter eyes, which I definitely
need in the am!
I would not be exaggerating to say wherever I go, land or
sea, I will be with lip balm. You could find them in my office drawer, dotted
around my flat and in every bag I own. My absolute favourite however is the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Nourishing Lip Balm. This treatment uses eight
essential vitamins, nutrients and minerals plus advanced sun protection against
damaging UVA/UVB rays to keep them soft, smooth and healthy looking.
Since I stopped wearing makeup on a regular basis in mid-2016
I have seen a transformation of my skin. This change means the need I had to
cover my face in maximum coverage concealer and foundation has faded away. I do however
still suffer from discolouration and dark circles when I’ve had an especially
late night and I’ve found the By Terry Cellularose Brightening CC Lumi-Serum has been my new best friend. Targeted
towards all those concerned with dulled, dehydrated complexions in need of a
radiance boost, this blurs the
visibility of imperfections and leaves my skin feeling bronzed and even.
