It’s not a major production: no messy foundation, no liquid liner, no false eyelashes. My “battle ready” face to meet the day is a straightforward affair. The routine requires two or three minutes.
But after considering not using mirrors yesterday, I wondered how I would fare if I needed to present my face – literally – without so much as a glance in the glass. So this morning, as an experiment, I decided to put on my makeup sans aid of a reflection of any sort.
Mind you, it’s not like I don’t run errands without a little enhancement, especially for a quick errand like grabbing a Times on the weekend. But I was curious to see how miserably I might manage, and if I could resist the urge to “check and correct.”
How did I do?
Did I inadvertently transform myself into a Real Housewife Makeup Disaster? Would I recreate Bridget Jones in the bumpy taxi scene, without realizing I’d streaked my face?
Eeek! Wake Up, Make Up – Without a Mirror
Brushing my hair? Piece of cake, thanks to my ghastly trim-it-yourself luscious locks and straight style.
A slight amount of dark shadow on the eyes to match the circles beneath? I went for it, daring the upper lid but not the lower, and helping the small brush with my fingertip as usual.
Blush on the cheeks? Easy-peasy.
Clear gloss on the lips? Fool proof.
Mascara, which I use about half the time?
I reminded myself with brilliant self-delusion self-assurance that for years I’d worn contacts, which I frequently placed in my eyes without a mirror. How appallingly off could I be? I took one look at the potentially blinding implement of application, and said ix-nay on the ascara-may.
Comfortable in Your Skin, In Context
Am I comfortable in my skin with no makeup on? Sure, depending on the context.
Am I aware of the importance of looking my best when it counts? Natch, but that doesn’t necessarily include Sunday morning running out for a paper.
And my body consciousness, as long as we’re nudging into the domain of feeling comfortable, in general?
I threw on wrinkled cute shorts and a top, slid into low adorable sandals, grabbed the keys and went for the door. I was less concerned with my body than I expected, because the fit of the shorts and shirt was fine, and I sensed no compulsion need to “look.”
But then, I stopped.
Report Card on Self-Confidence, Sort Of
I could have walked out if I hadn’t attempted anything on my face, but with Bridget Jones flashing horrifyingly through my mind’s eye once again, I turned around and glanced in the mirror.
My success at applying makeup without benefit of mirrors was fair; but I nonetheless wiped a smudge here and a smudge there, then left to purchase my newspaper.
What I learned through this little exercise is that my own desire to feel presentable is strong. Very strong. For me, it’s less about beauty and more about not looking silly. I was also hoping I wouldn’t run into anyone I know (I didn’t), as I do consider that what other people think matters, within reason. It’s part personal habit, and part professional insurance.
Care to try this experiment yourself? It’s an interesting test of a steady hand, not to mention, sturdy self-confidence.
I am going to try this! On weekends I don’t wear any makeup…except for church on Sunday, and my routine sounds similar to yours. I wear glasses so I use a super-magnifying mirror to apply my makeup. Tomorrow I’m taking a day off in order to babysit for my adorable grandkids so it will be a no-make-up day, but it would be very interesting to see what I look like at the end of that kind of day. I’ll report back 🙂
Not going there. My desire to look presentable is very strong. I have pale eyes, pale hair, pale eyebrows, pale skin and almost no pigment in my lips. A very blank slate so to speak. I think it may be easier for someone with darker hair or complexions. That being said, I wear make up for several reasons, not the least of which is self caring and respect. Plus with no makeup at all, I look exactly like my deceased Mother and it spooks the heck out of me.
Ah, but makeup artists love the “blank slate” as you say. So much flexibility. A canvas, creatively speaking.
(Why do some of us always see our mothers in our own faces, even more than others do?)
I’d try it all but the blush…pretty sure I’d mess that up.
I’d be okay in the apparel department as I have some “go-to” combinations I know would be fine without the final inspection. But make-up? Hmmmmm…..not sure about that. I switched to the mineral-base powder foundation/blush a few months ago so that would be okay. But I’d probably fail when it came to eye liner and mascara!
I have to check and correct…. my mother’s voice has echoed in my head for years. “Oh, my God, put some lipstick on!”