Hello everyone!
Let's talk about taking a break from makeup. I'm not talking about ditching it forever, but rather finding ways to give your skin a rest from all the products and processes.
Some people think that high-end makeup is the key to perfect skin, but I'm here to tell you that it's not the answer. In fact, I think high-end makeup can be just as harsh on your skin as cheap stuff.
Take my friend, for example. She's 45 and uses the cheapest makeup every day, but her skin looks amazing. No wrinkles, no acne – it's like she's 25 again!
But here's the thing: she doesn't diet, she doesn't read product labels, and she loves to drink heavily. So, why is she so lucky? Genetics, that's why!
Genetics play a big role in our skin health, and no amount of expensive creams or top dermatologists can change that.
But, I'm not here to give up on my skin. I've been dealing with skin issues for a while now, and I've learned to take care of myself. I've got a combination of oily and dry skin, which I'm pretty sure is a result of taking systemic retinoids.
I wrote a review about my experience with Sotret here.
My skincare routine is all about finding the right balance. Until I was 28, I never thought about switching to natural skincare products, but now I'm obsessed with them. I've got a whole range of skin issues going on: oily skin, dry skin, flakiness around my nose, blackheads around my chin, and dark spots on my nose.
Of course, my forehead's got the classic worry lines, and I've had three fine lines on my forehead since I was a kid. I've learned to hide them with makeup – I don't frown, and I use a jade roller to give myself a mini-facelift.
As a bonus (thankfully only during the summer), I get freckles on my nose and weird spots above my upper lip.
My go-to skincare routine is all about natural, effective, and super affordable products. I'm obsessed with these products! (I also love Korean skincare products, but I use them a bit less often)
And to give my lashes a break from mascara every evening, I apply a serum
This serum has a completely natural ingredient list.
My downtime from makeup is all about unwinding. There are plenty of ways to do it, but my favorite is to take a break from all products and processes. Hours, maybe even two or three, after a shower – I don't put anything on my face! I let my skin breathe and come back to life.
I don't just give my decorative makeup a break, but also my toner and moisturizer. It can all wait! After washing my face, I pour myself a cup of herbal tea and take a minute to unwind! I enjoy the feeling of cleanliness… it's like my skin is thanking me for giving it some freedom!
Of course, it depends on the quality of your tap water. If your water is too chlorinated or hard, it's better to gently wipe your face with a cotton pad soaked in a natural toner after washing or cleansing.
Going for a walk without makeup is another great way to unwind. I love how a day out with makeup looks, but come evening, I'm stripping off the war paint and heading out for a walk. There's just no beating the fresh-faced glow you get from a stroll, especially when the oxygen hits your skin - especially in the winter! The crisp, cold air is like a wake-up call for your skin.
No makeup needed on holiday at the beach. I always make it a point to hit the beach at least once a year! And, of course, I always pack a makeup bag (just in case)...but I rarely end up using it.
I mean, even a light, natural foundation can be a real pain in the sun – it creates a heat trap. Don't even get me started on mascara and eyeliner! I'm all about the 'no-makeup' look when I'm on vacation.
The best thing about having a makeup bag when you're on vacation is...a lip balm with SPF or a waterproof lip gloss. This year, I actually ended up getting sunburned on my lips for the first time in my life – it was so painful!
When the weather isn't cooperating, and it's pouring outside, I love creating a romantic 'Vanilla' look. I throw on some comfy clothes, do a messy bun, and add some minimal makeup. My skin gets to breathe, relax, and feel the humidity in the air.
Exercise is also a great way to take a break from makeup. I've gotta say, exercising with makeup on is a no-go for me. The thought of sweating it all off is just too much.
But what I love is how exercise affects my skin. When I'm doing cardio, I get a good sweat going, my pores are working overtime, and my face ends up looking rosy and healthy.
Getting outdoors is another great way to unwind. And then there's the makeup – time for it to take a break! But let's be real, I used to be self-conscious about it, especially in the early days of my relationship with my husband.
I'd wear it not just on nature trips, but even to the hot springs or thermal baths. But now I've had a change of heart – I know my husband loves me, makeup or no makeup!
I've flown a few times a year, and most of my flights are around 8-9 hours long. Getting on a plane with makeup is a no-go for me. It's just torture.
During the flight, my skin dries out horribly and I start to feel dehydrated. What's the point of makeup then? At times like these, my skin just craves a warm shower or a lightweight moisturizer.
A few years ago, I had a crazy idea pop into my head. If I stopped using makeup, my skin would become perfect, my pores would shrink, and my complexion would be flawless. Ha! I was naive like a child.
I went without makeup for probably half a year, waiting for some miracle to happen. But, alas, nothing changed. My skin didn't become any better; it just stayed the same.
This experiment was useful in one way: it finally made me realize that having beautiful skin requires a lot more than just skipping makeup.
Proper skin care, a healthy diet, a well-functioning endocrine system, a strong immune system and a healthy body, quitting bad habits, leading an active lifestyle, a consistent sleep schedule, replenishing vitamins and minerals, and a healthy nervous system.
And so on.
Let's get real - a healthy complexion requires a bit of effort and dedication! After using PuroBio for a while, I've come to realize that taking a break from makeup is great, but don't expect it to magically solve all your skin problems.
Even high-end makeup can contain a ton of synthetic ingredients. If you have the means and want to switch to natural products, that's awesome, but it's ultimately up to you.
I used to swear by JS's foundation, but I've since moved to PuroBio and it's been a game-changer. Plus, natural products have really helped reduce the number of blackheads I get.
Expiration dates are a must. I'm a firm believer that makeup shouldn't be stored for years on end - it can go bad and who knows what kind of damage it might cause.
It's just not worth the risk, if you ask me. So, I always check the expiration dates and make sure I'm not using anything past its prime.
When it's time to say goodbye to a product, I don't hesitate to toss it - better safe than sorry!
I'm not sure if this is just a placebo effect, but I swear I look younger without makeup. But the more makeup I wear, the more I feel like I'm adding years to my face.
The thing is, I hate taking off my makeup at the end of the day - who knew? And then I have to do all the after-care stuff: toner, moisturizer, eye serum... ugh.
I've only been to a cosmetologist twice in my life. Once I did BOTOX in my forehead. I wasn't super impressed.
The second time I did LASER SKIN RESURFACING and again, I didn't see the results I was hoping for... so I'm not planning on going back anytime soon.
Now, I'm not planning on getting any more injections or Botox in the near future. I'm not a fan of extreme measures. As I get older, my skin is losing its elasticity, and I'm thinking about getting a facelift... yeah, I know, it's crazy.
I'm lucky to not have any major issues with self-acceptance. I've never worried about my appearance. I'm grateful to my parents and the universe for making me the way I am.
I love myself.
No way! I'm not planning on giving up makeup completely. I love doing my makeup! I've been doing it since I was a teenager and I love drawing on little eyebrows like Jade from The Clones 😅
I have to say, the natural foundation is a total favorite of mine - it's so nice to just slap on some concealer and cover up those pesky freckles
The mascara is amazing, too - I've got naturally long lashes, and with one swipe, I can make them look huge.
As for eyeshadow and lipstick, I'm totally chill about it. I can go without them if I want to.
For me, makeup is all about accentuating my features, so let's get it done - and don't forget to take a break from it, too!
To all the girls out there, I just want to say one thing: love yourself, accept yourself, you're beautiful with or without makeup
Thanks so much for reading, everyone!
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