I have a two confessions: I enjoy splurging on cosmetics…
… and I enjoy applying make-up…
What is the point of me confessing this? To make those who don’t wear makeup and wear T’s feel bad? No, my point is exactly the opposite.
I don’t do these things because I believe all females should, I do these things because I enjoy them. I wanted to experiment with my security and see how I felt dolled-down.
Hypothesis: Wearing lounge wear and no makeup will not have an affect on my emotions.
Method: Spend two weekends with no make-up and wearing lounge wear.
[In between my make-up errand I munched on a transportable No bake Coconut ‘cake’]
Results: For the most part my hypothesis was correct. I didn’t even think twice about my appearance when I was leaving the house to run errands. However there were a few observations I noticed:
1. People seemed to approach me more. It could be coincidental, but I found cashiers were much more chatty and smiley. I know when I meet a new female I am much more intimidated and held-back if they are wearing make-up and nice clothes.
[1 cup puffed kamut, ¾ cup greek, chia seeds, shredded coconut, coconut extract and frozen cranberries into a container and refrigerated over night. The result was a dry spongy texture.]
2. My security was shaken a bit when it came to meeting a male. Take for instance this past Sunday. I was going to see Harry Potter with my one good friend. Five minutes before I left she texted me asking if it was okay if her male could come along. I immediately texted back ‘of course’ , but the first thing that popped into my head was “I don’t have time to put on make-up and change!” Then I stopped and thought to myself:
“Wait why do I need to get dolled up just because there is going to be a male coming along. I know that said male and my friend may become more than friends in the future, so should I really care if I look my best. In addition going make-up free would also enhance my friends security and help build her up. And that’s exactly what friends are for.”
So I took one for the team and left for the movie make-up free. The result: a great time, and feeling fabulous.
[Tasty, but next time I’m going to add full fat coconut milk, because this no bake ‘cake’ was missing something]
Study Conclusion: I have learned a lot and grown considerably in my confidence after having a few make-up free weekends. It’s definitely something I will continue doing although I will always still enjoy digging in to my make-up drawer.
The Security Experiment: I’m curious to know how others would react to going a day with no make-up. The challenge and poll is described more here if your interested!
Feel free to save your time and instead of commenting head over to the experiment tab to fill in a poll about this topic!
Print 
PDF
This is really interesting. Sometimes I go the shops without make-up and I’m completely fine with it. But I do tend to find that I am definitely more self conscious about people looking at me.
(your no bake cake looks amazing)!
haha I go everyday without make-up to work. I am in the water most of the time so I guess its not that big of a deal. Cool experiment haha just voted
This is cool! I never really wear makeup that often, just on special occasions, but I do love me some mascara
I think it’s neat you’re becoming more confident through the experiment, that’s great!! By the way, that coconut cranberry gloop looks insanely good, I have to remember that recipe! 
great idea!! ps that cake looks delish!
This is a great idea! I am definitely not fussy about my make up but do feel “naked” without at least mascara on. I also have the occasional acne marks so I like to cover those bad boys up too haha
That cake is lookin rather good
I think that going make-up free is so great, and I definitely go without it as much as I can!
Awesome social experiment
I used to wear a lot of makeup when I was younger because I was super insecure, but these days I only tend to put more on when I have somewhere special to go, otherwise it’s just a few basics because I still do enjoy it and feel like I’m doing something nice for myself. I do notice that people treat me differently though… especially other women.
I should do the opposite! I never get dressed up or wear makeup. Even during the school year I have to make an effort to look pretty at least one day a week. I’d like to see what kind of changes happen when I wear my better outfits and brush my hair rather than throw it up into a bun.
Great experiment! And brave too! I guess I still haven’t overcome my insecurities and can’t leave the house with at least a little makeup on. I used to wear a lot more as a teen though when I did feel very insecure but I just feel naked without it and I’m afraid people will act differently towards me.
Love Kiehls! True confession: I don’t know a whole lot about make-up application- just the basics, I get confused by concealers/foundations/etc so I don’t wear them. Most of the time I wear a little eyeliner and that’s it- otherwise I’m usually light on the make up unless I go out- I hateeeee smudging
that’s so interesting! I’m not too crazy about wearing makeup. Usually I will a little bit, but I’m fine going outside without it. I don’t really think it makes a difference for me at all.
I don’t usually wear makeup. Sometime I may put a little eye makeup on. I also often go out wearing a t-shirt and jeans. I guess I’m just lazy about that sort of thing.
Good for you girl! I go everyday without make up. I wish I could say it’s because I’m so confident but it’s hoenstly because I’m so lazy and my boyfriend prefers me without it! But I have noticed when I do apply make up I sometimes get nastier looks from others or people expect less of me. Weird. Maybe it’s just how I perceive people’s interpretations. Regardless I’m all for makeup free!
I used to wear A TON of makeup every day – and not crazy noticeable, but crazy colors for sure. lately i’ve pushed myself not to, and not to dress up for everything. I still feel not-quite-right without it in public, but I have noticed that people are more relaxed towards me when I don’t get all fancy. A work in progress!
girl i went to an all girl high school an never wore make up for 4 years..then when i got to college and i put on a small amount and still decided to rock my gym clothes instead of girl clothes ahahah i found that 1. guys were more approachable to me and 2. girls seemed to look me up and down like “how could she do that she is in public!” oh well i dont careee!! lol
great idea of an experiment unfortuntly I don’t leave the house without makeup. Maybe I will try gradually and leave with no blusher on.
What an awesome experiment! i never feel confident without makeup on, but I know it’s also sometimes better for your skin to breathe, too! I need to try doing this more often!
I used to have to wear makeup for cheerleading competitions when I cheered and I HATED it. Now, I never ever wear any. It just feels thick and unnnatural on my face and I don’t really know how to fix it without making myself look like a drag queen the way I had to forr cheer.
Good for you for going barefaced for a few days though. I might try wearing some mascara or something next time I go out to see if anyone acts different or notices!
I pretty much go everyday without makeup, so it’s kind of just whatever to me. The most makeup I ever put on is lipgloss/Carmex, eyeliner and mascara & the eyeliner is VERY rare. It’s just not something I worry about, or budget time for. I think doing whatever works for each person individually is the awesome thing
Your coconut cake looks delicious.
It’s funny, I grew up a tomboy, and rarely to never wore makeup until last summer. Once classes were over I desperately needed a third job and the first place that hired me was Victoria’s Secret. The irony. I am a flat chested brainiac. I had applied there as a joke! But I needed the job, and who knows maybe I’d learn something from it. Well I learned a lot but the first thing needed to be how to do makeup, and my hair, and to dress in a stylish, yet business fashion (all black of course). I went from a habit of rolling out the bed and walking out the door to spending an hour in the bathroom in the morning. The girls at my other jobs thought this transformation was hilarious, but the girls at VS had never known me any differently. I no longer work there, and I no longer wear makeup or style my hair every single day, but I do pay a lot more attention to my appearance. I’ll be a bit cliche here and say working at VS got me in touch with my feminine side, and I grew much more confident about my body and my appearance. At this point I like to believe I’ve reached that happy medium where I am comfortable both with and without makeup, which allows the times I doll up to be much more special and fun.
This is neat. I’ve noticed the same sorts of things. I wear makeup to work but on my days off I often go without completely. I never really notice anyone treating me different either way, but I bet without makeup there is definitely less intimidation.