So that’s it! I did a whole month makeup free and I didn’t wake up this morning and rush for the mascara! Is that it then? Am I now makeup free? No, I don’t think so. But as I said yesterday that’s more about my love of creating, playing, dressing up rather than feeling I needed to on a daily basis. I’m looking forward to receiving my homemade makeup and having some gentle products to dip into when the fancy takes me. But I am so relieved to finally be comfortable to wash and oil my face, and go. Being barefaced is liberating. It’s exposing, it shows your flaws, but it can remind you of your good points too. It has at times make me care less about my appearance and relax a lot, and other times it’s inspired me to try new looks with my hair and clothes. My skin feels great and looks better than it has in ages and as I’ve not just covered it up I’ve been more aware of looking after it with the oils I’ve used. I’ve learnt that when I drink more water my skin feels better, that my complexion isn’t as pasty as I thought, that freckles can rock and pale eyes don’t always look alien! I did this month initially to have a place to introduce my street art video. To ask the question ‘what do we put in our skin?’, and in turn it’s really made me question my own makeup routine. It’s made me question my reasons for starting to wear makeup, where this came from and why I wear it now. I’ve touched on the history of makeup, feminism, sexuality, judgement, professionalism, media and beauty norms. There is so much more on this topic. A few great online sources for discussion on cosmetics and the range of issues that it brings up are
http://www.makeupmuseum.typepad.com/
http://www.the-beheld.com
So thanks for reading, and I dare you to try being barefaced if you normally don’t! I will be back very soon with some more cosmetic based paintings, to feedback about the gentle makeup I discover and to let you know about my future creative projects! Much love Susan x