March 23, 2015

How Comfortable Are You In Bare Skin?

no makeup selfie

No matter how old I get, no matter how wise, and no matter how logical I am, I still feel I’ve been ingrained with the idea that the perfect woman is one who appears flawless. Blame it on magazines, blame it on TV, blame it on society, who knows but my idea of perfection comes in the form of flawlessness.

This also means I’m never truly comfortable in my own skin without some form of makeup on. I’m not really comfortable heading out there in all my bare skin glory. Hell, a few years ago I wouldn’t dare run errands without full makeup in place.

It doesn’t stem from blemishes or acne issues as I have super resilient skin. It’s just I’m one of those girl’s that finds comfort in wearing makeup as I don’t want my duller, lackluster skin and puffy eyes on display for the world to see.

But I’ve learned a few things…

When you see celebs like Beyonce and Gwen Stefani pre-photoshop you begin to realize that flawlessness is a complete and utter illusion. It’s nice to see these otherwise flawless women appearing a little bit flawed just like the rest of us average, everyday girls.

I think we age you gain a little bit of confident or…you might just get a little lazier! A few years ago I’d never go anywhere without a full face of makeup on but in recent years I’m ok with a bit of mascara, concealer under my eyes, and a bit of blush! So I’m not completely comfortable in my own skin but I am a lot more confident with a lot less makeup on in my older age.

What about you?

Are you cool leaving the house without absolutely nothing on?

Or do you feel most comfortable with at least the necessities?

Or are you a girl or guy that simply can’t go out without a full face on?

Do share!

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Katrina

    I wear makeup only on the weekends. I have NO problem going out with no makeup on. Even for 37 I still got with or without makeup 🙂

      • Katrina

        Now don’t get me wrong..I LOVE makeup..I am a makeup artist lol but because I get up super early and have a long commute to work..I take the extra 30 mins to sleep lol

  • Linda M

    I would be comfortable going out with no makeup; however, I LOVE makeup and for as much money as I spend on it, I’m going to use it.

  • Maria

    You look beautiful Isabella. You have beautiful big brown eyes , full lips and gorgeous hair. As for me, I need makeup help to make me look better. I was teased and bullied since first grade and called ugly names which stood with me my entire life. Maybe this explains the major reason why I am addicted to makeup. (I know other people love makeup for other reasons)

    • Isabella Muse

      thanks Maria you’re too too too too kind. Kids are so freaking cruel jesus. From what I know of you, you’re gorgeous! hugs!

  • Christina D.

    I’m pretty much comfortable being “au naturel” but I also think that the circumstances matter. For instance, I am up at 4 a.m. every day to head to the gym and I never, ever wear any makeup while working out and that’s been the case for more than 30 years. And while my significant other sees me without makeup every night, if he and I are going somewhere special, I prefer to have makeup on. Mind you, I never have worn foundation so I can put together a simple eye and blush rather quickly.

    For the record, I used to work at a very famous magazine and I’d see all the cover photos before they were retouched and that was a welcome reality check.

    • Isabella Muse

      Hey sis 🙂 how are you today? Spring is a coming so we NEED to get on with our date. I found the perfect location for is right by Harmons is a nice Italian restaurant. We shop makeup, we eat good food after deal? 🙂 text me! Honestly, I’m at 5AM but I still have to apply a full face before I feel confident to walk outside 🙂

  • barbara

    I used to go out without makeup.. not because I wanted to but because when all my kids were young I really didn’t have time to enjoy putting on makeup before going out. ( I have 5 kids). Now when I look back at pictures of events, such as baby showers, weddings, and so forth I wish I would have made time. I had huge bags under my eyes and blotchy skin. I could have looked so much better then, instead I looked older than I was. I should have at least invested time into a skin care. I didn’t even do that.

    • Isabella Muse

      aw I’m positive you’re beautiful no matter what Barbara!

  • Amna Mir

    I only wear makeup on special occasions. There was a time when I wouldn’t be caught dead without my red lipstick. But after it started turning my lips dark, I left that too.
    I only wear beetroot lip and cheek stain now. It gives a very natural look.
    Though I do feel quite inadequate when I see girls who look quite beautiful with makeup, but blekhh… Screw it! I’m alright the way I am.

    And are you makeup free in that picture? You look quite pretty!

    • Isabella Muse

      good for you, GOOD attitude amna! Yeah, that would be me in all my bare faced glory. Thank you very much, you’re too kind!

      • Amna Mir

        You are beautiful Ma sha Allah!

        Any tips for my poor uneven, acne prone, combination skin?

        • Isabella Muse

          aw shukran jazīlan Amna 🙂 yes! BB Cream BB Cream BB Cream! 🙂 BB Cream is a girl’s best friend. Excellent coverage, pigmented, and a great way to create flawlessness!

  • CupK8

    I have such a complicated relationship with my skin. Rosacea, acne-prone, generally sallow complexion. My day job is in a professional setting, but I’m also an actor, so I feel like I always have to look my absolute best. I get lazy when I’m busy, because I value sleep more, but I then spend the day feeling self-conscious.

    I have fun with makeup, too, so it’s not just the self-consciousness, but that definitely contributes to my feelings when I’m NOT wearing it.

    • Isabella Muse

      not swallow here but I tend to be a bit dull! I probably should bitch much because I don’t break out but I feel like the struggle with dry skin and dullness totally makes me meh on my skin! aw thanks girl 🙂 <3!

  • Annie

    I’m pretty comfortable now. My skin is generally good with a few acne scars, but I’ve learned to not fret over it. It took me a lot of practice to able to finally be comfortable in my own skin though. I love make up and for a while, took comfort in putting on make up and look flawless. But I realized how dependent I was on makeup and how low my confident dropped when I’m without it, so I made it my mission to go less.

  • Caryn

    I have definitely had periods (especially in parts of college and grad school) where I just went bare-faced. At first, I felt weird about it, but the more I did it, the more I felt comfortable with just being in my own skin, blemishes and all. I do love makeup and but I’m not afraid to forego it. I’m happy with or without it.

    And btw, you are stunning–not just on the outside but more importantly, on the inside. The greatest beauty in the world, that too often gets glossed over, is our inner beauty. You can’t pay for that kind of beauty.

    Sending lots of love.
    Caryn

    • Isabella Muse

      caryn, I agree totally and thank YOU! 🙂 <3! that was the sweetest thing I've heard all day 🙂 <3! It's the most important of all I agree and sadly it does indeed get glossed over often!

  • denni

    Every time I don’t wear makeup up, somebody has to comment and ask if I just woke up. Or tell me I look tired. It makes me feel bad. I wouldn’t mind going out as I am, but that confidence keeps getting squashed.

    I enjoy makeup, it’s my fun and entertainment. I don’t like going out with nothing at all on at the moment. I’ll at least throw on some BB cream to even out my redness and possibly concealer.

    • Isabella Muse

      ugh that’s worst! I get a lot of “You’re so pretty but your face is very full” haha thanks a lot! talk about passive aggressive 🙂 Oh well! You have to ignore the background nouse denni! 🙂

      • Simone

        Jeez, that’s pretty rude. If you don’t have anything nice to say…

        Some people really need to think before they open their mouths.

      • Jenny H.

        One time I went to work without makeup and got “Why is your face so red and full of warts?” To be fair, this was said to me by a young child, and he wasn’t trying to be mean, just curious. The little…angel. 😛

        It also sticks in my head because on that day my skin was actually doing pretty good! All the “warts” were scars/hyperpigmentation from past breakouts. Sigh.

  • Kiss & Make-up

    I hate hate hate my bare skin. No one ever sees me without make-up on, except for my fiance and sometimes my parents when I stay with them when I’m in Belgium. Other than that? I’m always in full make-up. It’s sad, huh? But they made me this way! THEY DID THIS TO ME!

  • TropicalChrome

    You bet. I’m about to go over to the grocery store with nothing on my face but some moisturizer and the remnants of my new lip pencil I tried out this morning (Ok, I’ll probably fix up the lips because it looks kind of funny).

    I tend to wear what I call a “full face” when I’m going out to dinner or with friends or professional meetings. It just makes me feel more polished and is mostly about wanting to dress for the situation. I look different with makeup, not better or worse. I like having those options.

    I’m of an age where I’m invisible no matter what I do, so I please myself. (And no, my skin is nowhere near perfect, but it’s just fine.)

  • Bonnie S.

    I just can’t imagine going out with bare skin. I only do it when I go makeup shopping – but one glance in the drug store mirror and I’m horrified at how sallow and washed out I look – and uneven skin tone, dry patches showing up as though magnified. There is no denying I look much better in makeup – full moisturizer, primer, SPF, foundation, a nice wash of eye colour and full-on lippie. Oddly, unlike most people who only wear a bit of mascara if they wear makeup at all, I will most often go without mascara. I don’t like what mascara does to my lashes, I don’t like potential fallout and raccoon eyes, and what’s more, if no mascara is good enough for Tilda Swindon, heck yeah, it’s good enough for me!!!

  • Simone

    In my late teens early twenties I could barely leave the house without a full face of makeup, which is funny because I had beautiful skin. Now that I’m in my late twenties, I have some pigmentation issues and acne scarring (from a weird bout of acne in my mid twenties) but I wear much less makeup on average.
    I still feel much more comfortable with at least some foundation and a lip tint (something like baby lips), but I don’t get the anxiety I used to when leaving the house bare faced.
    Also, it makes makeup more fun and exciting when I don’t wear so much of it all the time. Like, if I’m going out its nice to do a smokey eye and play up the contouring, it makes it special and I feel super hot… Instead of it just being a chore.

    Hmm.

    Any who, your picture is quite possibly the cutest thing ever!!! You’re truly a beautiful woman, with or without makeup <3

  • Lauren

    At 36, I wear a lot more makeup today than I did when I was younger. Part of that is because I am good at applying makeup now. When I was younger, there just wasn’t much information out there on how to apply makeup. I learned a little from my mom, but I wasn’t all that confident with makeup. I didn’t need to be either. My life back then was also more casual than it is now. In my 20s I was mainly a student and all I needed was a bit of concealer to even out my skin tone, mascara, and lip gloss. Now, on weekdays, I wear foundation, powder, concealer (both undereye and on discolorations), eyeshadow, blush, some bronzer, and mascara. On weekends, I wear a little less, but I find it SO easy to get a polished look that I greatly prefer to spend the 5 minutes to fix my face. As a consequence, I am definitely less comfortable to be seen without makeup. However, I have no problem letting new boyfriends seeing me bare faced either.

  • Teli

    I went from working in cosmetics where a full face of perfectly applied makeup was part of the uniform, to working in sterile hospital pharmacy prep where wearing makeup can actually pose a threat to patient safety. I have to say, going from a physical perfection-obsessed environment to a department full of people who couldn’t give a sweet eff what anyone else looks like without mascara at ridiculous o’clock or who has a zit… did amazing things for my self esteem. I still love to wear makeup and do a lot of fun looks on my days off, but I’m no longer too self-conscious to leave the house with a bare face.

  • Ari

    It’s kind of funny, but when I was younger I almost felt like I didn’t deserve to look pretty so I never bothered with makeup. It was partly that I didn’t know how to use it without getting frustrated, but my low self esteem keep me from believing that I could ever be considered “pretty” (but it was high school, and let’s face it, who didn’t have low self esteem in high school?). It wasn’t until I rediscovered makeup in college as a performer that I realized how fun it was to experiment with the variety of colors and textures makeup has – and here I am, four years later with an embarrassing mountain of makeup and a less than mild obsession for it! Ironically I often feel more uncomfortable going out WITH makeup on, since if I wear makeup I want to do something noticeable and fun! No no-makeup-makeup for me!

    BTW you look lovely in your photo, Muse! Very pretty 😉

  • Erin

    Sometimes I go out without makeup and I feel OK. But I feel horrible if I don’t apply sunscreen or any cream with SPF. I think it’s the worst thing not taking care of your face, better have a healthy than pretty face!

  • Rachel

    I used to have no problems going out without makeup, but now I don’t get out of the car if I don’t at least have concealer/foundation/blush/powder on. My skin has never been great, but when I was younger, I didn’t seem to care as much. Now I’m in my mid-thirties and still breaking out all the time, which is so embarrassing – shouldn’t I be over this by now?! So, I try to cover it up as best I can. I am really, REALLY lazy though, so during the week I take less than 5 minutes to put on makeup. I dab on my concealer, use MAC Studio Fix Powder+ as foundation, dust on a little blush and setting powder and am out the door. On the weekends I actually take time to do my eye makeup as well. I wear so little makeup during the week that I think most people assume this IS my bare face, but I think they’d be shocked if they saw what I looked like with nothing on!

    I envy all you peoples with the confidence to get out there bare!!! 🙂

  • Kat

    I got into makeup late (late 20’s) and now that I’m in my mid 30’s I would feel weird and self-conscious about not having a full face at work where I usually have to deal with face to face, high-stress communication situations. Makeup helps with making me look slightly more experienced/older/confident at work. On weekends or when out socially I do either a minimal look or fun/colorful makeup. At the bare minimum I have to at least put on tinted moisturizer, set it with light powder, fill in brows, mascara, and MLBB lipstick. I have better skin now than in my early 20’s when all I wore makeup-wise was face powder, LOL. Even though true beauty is on the inside, I cannot deny that makeup could really influence self confidence and others’ perception.

  • Sarah

    I’m quite fine with going out without makeup on. Makeup for me is really just a form of expression. In college, I didn’t wear any makeup at all because I just did not have the time or energy for it and that continued for years after I graduated. My experience over the years of not wearing makeup is that no one of real importance in your life really cares if you have makeup on or not. I’ve only started wearing makeup again recently as more of a hobby than anything else. Something fun for me to do. The only exception is sun block. I always wear sun block since my fair skin puts me at high risk for sunburns and all the other risks that come with sun exposure.

  • Phyrra

    I’m ok with or without makeup, as long as I have SPF. The sun is brutal here. I definitely feel more confident when I’ve got makeup on.

  • Nicole

    Isabella… You are gorgeous inside and out! 😊 You and I know the inside is what really matters to those who truly love and care for us. 💖
    I think because I when I was little when my mom got ready for work she showered, scrunched her curls around a little, dressed, and headed out the door makeup never really even became a topic for me until high school. I really wear makeup only when my better half and I have an event to go to or we are going out to dinner or whatever the occasion maybe. I also do at holiday functions. But leaving our house to go to the store requires a lip balm or lip gloss. If people don’t like me for my inner warmth and compassion for my fellow man or woman then I guess I am just not their cup of tea and we can go our merry ways. 😌
    My father always was telling me how beautiful I was and his parents as well, it made me feel comfortable the way I was. My grandma who passed last June would wear makeup when we went shopping and stuff, but at home it was just moisturizer and sunblock for her. That is SO me now it isn’t even funny! LOL, well it is though! 😄
    My grandma passes just a few weeks before turning 90, with my hand on the on the good book, there is no one who would have guessed her being over 75. She was blessed with some darn good genes! Same thing with my Dad, prior to losing him on Father’s Day 2004 after a well fought fight with cancer, he was 56 and I was blessed to have the most loving caring father for 26 years. 😇 It was not uncommon for him to have girls the same age as me asking him out, he never even when he passed looked over 40. When he was well people would say he was 30 or so. So maybe I will be lucky and look young for years to come as they did. My mom will be 60 this year (I can’t even say it because it seem so impossible to me) and she to this day does not wake up early to do makeup and we go to the store with our bare little faces (minus I always have the sunscreen on my white completion)… My friends from high school will see her (she works in the town we lived our whole lives and went to school there, and they will hear I am coming back for her birthday and ask her age, I get a range of responses, “get out”, “whatever”, “she is not”, “shut up”… LOL! So she has aged well too.
    I sure love playing with my makeup, hair, and trying different looks, but if they outlaw everything but lip balm tomorrow I will likey be OK. Now if you take away my WEN I may turn on you like a rabid animal!!! 😄
    Fun Topic!!! Good idea Isabella!

    • Isabella Muse

      aw thanks Nicole! likewise my dear girl! Aw my dear girl sounds like you have a beautiful family that raised you well! I’m so sorry you lost some of those beloved members but I know they are out there smiling down at you I’m sure 🙂 Let’s not outlaw concealer though ok? ;-D haha my tired eyes needs it! 😀 I think I look pretty young for my age as well I THINK or I HOPE haha 🙂 My mom never used makeup, still doesn’t, so where my loved of makeup came from is beyond me 🙂 but I like it none the less and I agree with you, if you can’t love personality, well, I guess we have to move on! 🙂 Thanks for your lovely reply!

      • Nicole

        Ok we need to keep the concealer too! 😉 You look lovely with or without it though!
        I am very fortunate to have a wonderful family and am thankful for every moment I have had and will have with those still here with me. 💞

        • Isabella Muse

          lol nicole good 😀 likewise! I’ve very close to my family and feel very blessed to have them 🙂 We are damn lucky! 😀

          • Nicole

            We certainly are blessed, the are some people who never experience one moment of the love and support we have been given. I, as I am sure you will, continue to be grateful them everyday! 😇

          • Isabella Muse

            absolutely my dear 🙂 xoxo! plus I have people like you in my life as well! double blessed!

  • Nicole

    PS… I can’t figure out how to put a picture in place on the cute lipstick. I wish I knew how… 😕

  • JJ24

    Back in high school and a little after I would not leave the house with out a full face on. Now I’ll run out with just lipstick on if i’m in a time crunch. I feel more confident if I have a little foundation on even if it’s just a bit of powder foundation but i’m defiantly ok with out it. I guess my self esteem/confidence has changed with time.

  • Ryou

    Nowadays? Quite.

    I had an epiphany that there are people profiting off of my hatred of myself, and I decided I’m REALLY not okay with that. I’m still in the process of loving myself, though. It’s hard when society keeps giving you horrible messages, but I’m not done rebelling against the system that says my worth is defined by how desirable I am (to cishet men especially).

    It’s not my obligation to be someone else’s version of pretty, and I’ve never gone back since. You’d be surprised how many people get offended by the fact that I don’t cry myself to sleep over their opinion on my appearance. XD

    • Isabella Muse

      LOL ryou. We’d be rich 🙂 Honey, love yourself, that’s one of the most important things in the world. The rest is just background noise. When you spend some of your life apologizing for how you look or who you are you have to take a step back and just say screw it 🙂

      • Ryou

        Oh man, how do I monetize that? XD

        I do get taken aback sometimes by how many people (usually strangers) think my life is their business. I have BPD (borderline personality disorder) so it’s hard not to take things personally sometimes, but hell, anyone who’d make me feel bad about myself shouldn’t have a place in my life.

        • Isabella Muse

          LOL right?! let’s think of a business model 😀 You have a great way of looking at it! I’m the same, I try to just let it ALL slide off my back and have that whatever personality.

          • Ryou

            Agreed! I wish more people would realize that life’s way too short to please everyone!

  • lucia

    if that picture of yours is au naturel….who needs make up, unless to play with?

  • mirandagrosvenor

    If I’m just running to the grocery store around the corner, and in sweats or yoga pants, minimal makeup, for sure. Especially since I’ve been wearing my glasses more than contacts. Moisturizer, a little loose powder, blush, and whatever Colour Riche Balm I grab. The older I get the more I need to pile on the moisturizer and blusher.

    But if I’m at work or going out, it’s full makeup, definitely. Maybe I’m the only one who sees the difference, but it makes me feel good.

  • Katherine T.

    Muse, you look gorgeous in that picture, love your big brown eyes!

    Ever see Stars without Makeup?? Yep, that proves the POWER of makeup. I always have to wear at least a little bit. My skin’s pretty decent, but it still makes a huge difference in my looks and my confidence ( at minimum brows, BB cream, powder, lip crayon). For going to work or going out with friends, I’ll put on more makeup and sometimes a full face. I just think most people (even supermodels) look better with at least some makeup on.

    • Isabella Muse

      totally a googler of starts without makeup haha 😀 makes me feel better in my own skin 😀 aw thanks Katherine blush!

  • Rorie

    I’ve found it to be a bit of a fake-it-till-you-make-it situation with the help of some laziness/time crunch due to being a student, but I am wayyyy more comfortable in my bare skin than as a teenager (but I know a lot more about taking care of my skin, so my bare skin looks better anyway), so I have no problem running out without makeup on. I do prefer to wear it though – I’m very fair-haired so none of my facial hair is visible. I joke sometimes about having an “alien face” because of that, but I really do prefer how I look with some mascara & brow colour 🙁

  • Lauren

    I’m one of those people that isn’t as comfortable in my skin as I wish I could be. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very confident in myself, but I have pcos and my hormones mess with my skin like crazy. I have dark spots that no matter what I do or use on my skin, don’t go away. I also am prone to ingrown hairs on my chin because of the pcos, that I can’t seem to not pick, thus leading to more scarring. I never leave the house without some type of concealer or foundation on, and I won’t even let friends see me without it.

    • Isabella Muse

      i understand. We all have those moments Lauren. I’m confident, outgoing, excellent personality but sometimes I really feel uncomfortable in my own body/skin too sometimes. I guess it’s just one of those things 🙂 Just love yourself! the rest is cake 🙂