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A Month without Makeup - Day 28 (and beyond!)

Friday, March 06, 2009 - Comments 8

First, if you haven’t checked it out yet, Travis just posted a new Month Without Makeup podcast I recorded last week with some other brave women (Mandy, Jena, Aubrey and Kelsey) who joined me on the challenge. It’s pretty cool, and (of course) includes more no-makeup pics of me AND some of them too. Speaking of which, I’m still looking for a brave soul to carry on the challenge. No one has stepped up to the plate yet. Hmm… anyone? Leave a comment here if you want to carry the torch.

Now to the recap…

Day 28
On this final day, there are so many thoughts swirling through my mind. It’s kind of strange to be here at the end. Kind of like when you’re gearing up for some big event, such as the birth of a child, and then you’re there. Already. Long after you wished you were and yet somehow earlier than you expected.

Some random thoughts going through my mind today…

How wonderful it will be to not have to take a picture of myself everyday and post it on Facebook. It will be so nice to just laze around and not even get dressed if I don’t want to. Not worry about trying to make my hair look good. (Not that it’s looked that great, but you know, I had to give it a little effort). No holding up a sign, smiling for the camera 5 to 15 times trying to get a good enough shot – something I can live with – that in spite of the lack of makeup still says something positive about me.

Yesterday I talked to an old friend from Sparrow, Grant Hubbard, who had noticed the pics on Facebook. “Well, you look happy in them,” he said, (conspicuously not commenting on whether he thought I looked ok or just plain ugly…). “Um, yeah, I’m smiling for the camera” I said. And that’s the truth. I’ve intentionally tried to smile in each of the shots. In the one or two I didn’t smile in, I noticed that I didn’t like how I looked as much. Even though when I’m staring at myself in the mirror I generally prefer a non-smiling face, a smile – even a makeup-free one – is so much more attractive than a serious pose. I’m taking that with me.

Also, I’d be lying if I said I haven’t been planning for weeks what I’ll do on my first day after the experiment. I’m going to the Origins counter at Cool Springs Mall for a makeover. I’ve never worn Origins before. I’m a MAC girl. I LOVE my MAC – have all the perfect colors and would love to wear it again, but honestly, after this month my skin is clearer than it’s ever been and I just can’t bear the thought of slathering chemically produced ingredients all over it. Origins is supposed to be natural. My friend Mirandi looked into it for me (now there’s a true friend… she even talked to a specialist for me!), and assures me it’s free of parabens and other bad stuff that’s apparently made it’s way into most of the makeup we put on our skin. Stuff that gets absorbed into our skin, by the way, and messes with our bodies in ways that I’m sure Revlon and L’Oreal would prefer no one explore. This was one of the things that jumped out at me in the America the Beautiful film. It pointed out that our cosmetics in the US are not regulated like they are in other countries, and that there are hundreds of harmful toxins in them. All in the name of “longer lasting” color, “lash extending” mascara, etc. So… I’m going to do that tomorrow. Probably after I do the grocery shopping though, which means I’ll be going out yet again w/o makeup. But hey, by now, it’s no big deal.

I can’t help but wonder what I’m going to feel like when I put it on again. As some of you may have noticed, while I may look “fine” without makeup, I definitely do look a bit different with it on. My eyelashes are so light that you don’t see them when I’m not wearing mascara. This one element alone will mean I’ll look a bit different when I put it on tomorrow. I’m trying to go into this with an open mind. To see what I really want to wear. To experiment with how much I need, but to not be afraid to get the coverage I like (an evened out skin tone, etc.). I’m also a little nervous about how people who have been following the experiment will respond. I’m anticipating some may be disappointed in me. They may think I’m giving away something by once again wearing makeup. But as my husband, AJ, reminds me, NOT wearing makeup to please people is really no different in essence than WEARING it to please them. So ultimately, I’ve got to do what seems right for me. Though I’ll be honest and say I don’t like rejection any more than the next girl.

I guess that’s it for now. I haven’t left the house yet today. Gonna do money and taxes (yuck) and then I’ve got church tonight and a date with one of my boys after that.

A normal day in suburbia…

March 1
It’s over! I can’t believe it! Part of me wanted to put makeup on first thing today, but I was holding out for my trip to Origins. I was hoping they’d give me some tradeout if I mentioned them in this here blog. Well, they didn’t. But I’m still mentioning them. Anyway, I went to their store in Green Hills where “Kat” gave me a makeover. I told her all about the challenge and she thought it was cool. Said her boyfriend had just commented to her recently, “What would happen if women no longer needed to wear makeup?” Hmm…

Anyway, she looked at all my MAC stuff and paired it up with supposedly comparable Origins stuff. I say “supposedly” because every brand is different and since theirs is more organic (a good thing) it just doesn’t seem to have the same coverage as my MAC (not so good). But my photographer friend Melanie, who came with me on the trip, kept reminding me that I had told her I wanted to try and go more natural.

I don’t know why I ever said that.

In the end, I’m not sure I looked any better with it than without. But I DID feel a lot more “normal” as we left there and hung out at Panera for a little bit. And of course I couldn’t help but notice the HUGE gobs of makeup some of the others in the restaurant were wearing. I guess hyper-colored eye shadow and blush is all the rage right now. Yikes.

March 2
I loved putting on my makeup and doing my hair for the first time in a while. (For some reason, I liked my no-makeup face better w/ no hair around it). So I took a few pics of myself to update my Facebook page now that the challenge is over. Thought it would be fun to have my good friend, Yamaha, in the pic with me. I love music - it’s something that God has used to really minister in my life. I just wish I had more time to play it.

After I posted this pic, I got an email from my friend Amber, who said, “I did find it interesting, the care you took in posing with the right background and clothes on the day you got to wear makeup again. Just curious, when you went without make-up, did you do anything else to help build your self esteem or do anything to help you feel more comfortable about your looks? Like did you style your hair or wear the same nice clothes as if you had makeup on? or did everything kind of go to pot?”

Hmm… no, everything didn’t go to pot, but yes, I did take care in taking this picture. Why? I guess I wanted to look nice. Again, why? Hmm (again)…

March 5
Well, I had anticipated there would be a “let down” when this whole thing was over, and I was right. It’s kind of a bummer to not have a gazillion comments on my Facebook every day, telling me how beautiful I am. Maybe if I shave my head next, I can get them flowing again.

Um, maybe not.

Seriously, I’m learning now that this is over that there is still so much more for me to learn when it comes to looking to man’s (or woman’s) approval for my sense of personal affirmation. Ain’t ever gonna happen there, I’m thinking, and when it does, it usually doesn’t bear much fruit anyway. Wow. Just so much to learn all the time.

So I’ve decided to write a book on the subject: A Month without Makeup: What 28 Days of Feeling Ugly Taught Me about True Beauty. Whaddya think? I’m thinking it will be a quick read, capturing some of the great stuff I’ve learned (and continue to learn) from this thing. In fact, I’ll speak on this theme later this month when I’m in Visalia w/ one of our true campaigners, Stacy Morris. And also at Remuda’s Hungry for Hope conference this summer at Glen Eyrie in CO. Man, is that gonna be cool. (You can come to this, if you want. Check it out!)

Today (March 6)
Just sitting here, watching the clock tick as I try to wrap this thing up. On the makeup front (in case you’re interested), I’m still not sure if I like the Origins makeup, honestly. It’s weird, but I think my skin actually looked younger somehow without it on. It’s a bummer, because I definitely have spots I’d like to cover up, but a) this stuff doesn’t seem to cover as well as MAC (don’t worry, I’m NOT going back to that stuff. Not yet at least…) and b) it just looks heavy on my skin.

Several friends are telling me I need to check into Bare Essentials. And I may, but honestly, even thinking about spending yet more money on makeup is tugging at me a little, especially in light of our true:shift effort.

Speaking of which, we now have 14 of you signed up so far, with 9 of those being children from our adopted village of El Gade, Kenya! (The others signed up for children from other countries prior to our adoption of this community.) This means we only need 41 more to complete the sponsorship needs for that village. Will you think about doing that today? You can visit our page at Food for the Hungry’s site and see faces of the children who still need sponsorships. You know, at first it can seem like a big deal to give money to something like this, but honestly, once you do it, it’s not that hard at all. You probably won’t even notice the difference in your budget, but you’ll be making such an incredible difference in someone’s life halfway around the world. It’s a great tradeoff, if you ask me.

And yes, we are going there next year, so start thinking and praying about whether God would lead you to join us.

If you’re terrified of such a thing (which, believe me, I totally understand), look for a podcast in early April with the fabulous Sara Groves who is actually going on a trip with Food for the Hungry this month and will be able to tell us all about her experiences.

I think we’ll all be inspired.

And what a good thing it will be to know I can go without makeup with those of you who come with us…

Kris wrote:

You certainly look more beautiful without the makeup...how wonderful the world would be if woman could realize their true God given beauty and speak and live that into the world - something the world is dearly missing! I pray for a day when makeup, etc… would be obsolete and we as women and daughters of the living God would let go of those societal expectations to be perfect = fatless, wrinkless, and just all around flawless and would just BE what God created us to be...however, I believe that will only happen if we each and every woman takes a stand to rise above those lies!

Thanks for bring this again to the forefront - Good luck!

posted on 03/06/2009

Lynette Duke wrote:

I will do it...what are the requirements? I am a Grandma...and searching for the inner beauty that God created me to be...i am terribly addicted to my make-up. But i will step up!

posted on 03/09/2009

Tina wrote:

I’ll do it! Is it OK if I get my lashed dyed and my brows tattooed before-hand though? LOL My lashes and brows are colorless so I look really weird and kinda scary without mascara at the very least. However, I WANT to feel beautiful without makeup. And I WANT to help feed the children. Please keep me posted on both fronts. God bless you, you gorgeous lady! Blessings, Tina

posted on 03/09/2009

Tobi wrote:

I wish I could hear you speak on it this summer. I was there last summer and truly enjoyed you Constance, you are such a treat and have helped me so much in my ministry to teenage girls. I spoke with you briefly out there but I am a youth minister and love your work in this area. As I was reading I kept thinking BARE MINERALS BARE MINERALS. Your friends are right - check it out. It’s the best stuff. I have been using it for almost 7 years and have VERY uneven skin and it’s a miracle worker. It’s fun to use - I know you will love it. Check it out online and find a place nearby that can make you over - you will never go back. You looked gorgeous every step of the way btw!

posted on 03/09/2009

Jenn wrote:

You are such a BEAUTIFUL woman! I admire you for your bravery and the example you are setting. I don’t think I could go a month without make-up. But you’re making me think about it… It’s funny because my boyfriend says I look beautiful without make-up, but then I just think he’s supposed to say that! But truly, you are so beautiful without make-up, just as beautiful with it. You have such a natural beauty. I hope that one day you realize this. But how nice it would be to feel comforatable without make-up, it’s a strange idea that we literally paint our faces ... like a picture! If God wanted those colors on our face he would have done it on his own. Everything that God does is perfect because he is perfect, and so just the way we appreciate a beautiful sunset, we should appreciate the true natural beauty we all have! Easier said than done though...!

God bless!!

posted on 03/19/2009

Rachel Bates wrote:

I accept the challenge.

posted on 04/01/2009

maria wrote:

i’m very touched by this campaign because i’m running the same campaign on my blog : http://beautyonwatch.wordpress.com/less-is-more/
i’ll join this campaign. may i post your photo on my blog ? you are my inspiration

posted on 04/17/2009

Diana wrote:

I actually found your link on Jerusha Clark’s webpage & clicked on it thinking it was another video of/about her. I have sat for the last couple of hours reading your month-long journey of no make-up, looking at your photos (which, by the way, are beautiful! I am one of the ones who truly believes that if I looked like you do naturally, it would be MUCH easier to give up the makeup for a while - seriously! - & I know there isn’t anything you could say that would convince me otherwise) but I found myself emotionally stirred at some of your self-discoveries, to the point of tears, as I recognized some of these same things in myself & realized I feel & believe much of the same things about myself. I grew up in a pastor’s home where piercing ears & wearing make-up was not allowed & early on in high school while marching in a local parade, my long hair tucked up into the hat of my marching band uniform, no makeup on my face & my underdeveloped chest, someone walked up to me and asked me, “Are you a boy or a girl?” I was DEVASTATED, to say the least, & vowed NO ONE would EVER make that mistake again. Since puberty, I have also really struggled with acne & my face is scarred & blemished from it - not severely, but definitely noticeably. (Even at almost 43, it is STILL an issue for me that has been a source of a great deal of embarrassment for YEARS.) So I began using my babysitting money to buy my own make-up & would get to school early to put it on & would wash it off before going home so my parents wouldn’t know. I am now almost 43 years old & still will not leave the house without make-up on - even out to the end of my yard to check the mail for fear a neighbor might see me. I’ve known for a long time (though I think only on a superficial level) that this has been a little too important in my life but excused it away as “not THAT big a deal. I mean, really? It’s JUST make-up, for heaven’s sake!” A couple years ago, I felt God had called me to do a month-long “fast” that involved, among other things, giving up my eye makeup for the month. Even just that was really difficult but I still wore other make-up so tolerated it, for the most part, pretty well. I felt somewhat free of the bondage to it, though, by the end of the month & for a while wasn’t so rigid about not leaving the house without it, actually finding myself not uncomfortable in certain settings with only minimal amounts of makeup. I will go to the grocery store or the like on occasion with very little on, but not too many other places. Then a year ago, I had major surgery that required me to be mostly on my couch for about a month recovering & for that time I wore little if any make-up. That was easy to do as I didn’t leave my house much during that time. I had a kind group of women who brought my family & I meals during that time & one of them (one with whom I was in a mentoring relationship at the time), even months later, still talked about how “different” I looked without makeup. So, guess what? I’m back to wearing make-up at least 95% of the time when I know there’s even the slightest chance I’m going to be seen by other people. And when I don’t have any on, I will usually put on large sunglasses to hide the fact that I haven’t done my make up. I won’t even answer my door if I’m not “put together” & someone pays me a visit. I pretend I’m not home & ignore it. WOW! Right back to where I was. Then I read this..... I am moved & challenged & don’t know if I could survive a month with no makeup AT ALL but feel challenged to at least try it & see how far I CAN make it with no makeup. I KNOW the hold this “need” for makeup can have & I am SOOO in awe of your willingness & ability to stick it out the whole way & share for all the world to see. You’ve inspired me, though I’m not sure whether to be mad at you or thankful because I now see the stronghold that this really is, recognize the lies for what they are, the level of insecurity I walk in & the fix-all & idol make-up has become to me, even moreso than I realized, which leaves me in a position of being responsible to do something about it &, frankly, I’m not sure I WANT to, at least not in the way that you dealt with it. I won’t say “NO WAY” to 30 days without makeup because I have a sinking sense that’s exactly what God is calling me to do & I will not ever say no to Him, but I will definitely spend some time first praying about it. “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak,” and now I’m in a battle - so THANKS for that. LOL Anyway, you’ve definitely impacted me, even a year AFTER your journey, in a deep & profound way. I don’t know where YOU are with it now a year later, but I am fairly certain, whether I want Him to or not, God is now going to deal with this in my own life, as well. He’s identified it in me through you & usually when He fingers something in us, it means its time to deal with it. I’m not sure if I should rejoice in that or curl up in a ball & cry. Should you write a book about this journey? Oh ABSOLUTELY!! I am quite certain this is a stronghold for MYRIADS of women & girls, not just me - much of it rooted in pain & shame, even. If you haven’t started on it, you should. Just what you posted here has been impactful & I only stumbled on that by “accident”. SOOO!! I don’t know where this will take me or what my own personal journey around this will look like, but even with the current battle around it, I AM willing to see this idol come down in my life. God give me the courage to do it - in WHATEVER way He calls me to!

posted on 02/04/2010

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A Month without Makeup - Day 28 (and beyond!)

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