Ever since I started to go through puberty in middle school, I have struggled with teenage acne. I remember getting up early to put on layers of makeup (that I definitely did not need) to cover up something I was so ashamed of. Because I was so young, and I was going through puberty a lot earlier than my friends, I felt like I was one of the few in my grade who got several pimples a week. It felt like there was nothing I could do about it.
After hundreds of visits to the dermatologist and several combinations of acne medication, I finally found the best solution best. If you would have told my thirteen-year-old self that on most days I would walk around without a full face of makeup, I would have completely doubted it and then laughed. This does not mean that I do not get the occasional flair up that consists of a few blemishes on my chin or the side of my face, however, it is a complete 180 from what I looked like just six or seven years ago (my mom can vouch for me).
Once my skin started to clear up, I have since worn less makeup, however, I am still jealous of those that could not wear any and basically look the exact same. I decided to go through with this idea of limiting how often I wore even the slightest bit of makeup not only because I did not want to risk falling asleep with a face full of makeup on, but also because I wanted my face to feel clean more often and did not want to constantly clog my pores with unnecessary products.
Now, everyone says that when you do not wear makeup, you feel so much better about yourself. I am not going to lie, that is somewhat true, until you see a picture of yourself looking like Smeagol from the Lord of the Rings when you thought you looked like Demi Lovato without makeup. It took me a long time to walk around a grocery store without any makeup on and not worry about other peoples’ opinions of what my face looks like underneath everything, but (not to be a cliché) it gets better every day. I don’t think people ever become truly comfortable with how they look without makeup, but I do think people get to a point where you start to care less about what others think of you.
Without wearing makeup every day, I noticed that my face was a lot clearer because I was not covering my face with products, but also because I was not spreading germs from my brushes onto my face. Because let’s be honest, nobody has time to wash their brushes. I saved so much time worrying about doing my hair or makeup and used that time to be more productive. However, the best part about spending most of my summer makeup-less, was that it made me feel more confident in my skin and made me feel better about myself when I did go out, get dressed up, and wear makeup.
Challenging myself to wear less makeup every day has helped me become more comfortable with myself. I have always had issues accepting myself for who I am, because I was always worried about others’ perceptions of me. I am 100% not there yet, but I think it has put me a step in the right direction.