Many college girls, myself included, have been wearing makeup pretty much daily since middle school. However, your twenties is one of the few times in your life when you might still feel comfortable getting away with going makeup-less. With all the sand, surf, and sun, the summer is a great time to give this hassle-free look a try. Even better, skipping makeup now and then can be really beneficial to your skin, keeping it clean and allowing it to breathe. Read on to get a few tips on looking your best without bothering with layers of cosmetics:
Cleanse
To prep your skin for the day, start by taking off the grime from the night before. Use a gentle cleanser to remove any oil, dirt, or leftover makeup from the night before. Don’t use anything too deep-cleaning or abrasive, as these might cause redness and irritation on your skin. I also find I get a build up of leftover eye makeup when I sleep at night, just underneath my eyes. To rid this black smear, dab a Q-tip with eye makeup removed and swipe it underneath each eye.
Tone
Now that your skin is refreshed, use a toner to close up pores and reduce redness in your skin. Pour a toner onto a cotton swab, and swipe it all over your face. I like Biore Triple Action Astringent, Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner, or a natural toner like witch hazel.
Moisturize
Smooth on a moisturizer with SPF to smooth your complexion and protect your skin during the day. Make sure to re-apply a facial sunscreen throughout the day if you’re going to be in direct sunlight a lot, like at the pool or beach, because no matter how lovely you look sans-makeup, nobody can pull off a lobster-red sunburn. There are many popular skincare brands such as Arbonne, Kiehl’s, and Clinique, that feature fantastic moisturizing products. Trial-and-error and customer reviews are the best way to figure out what works for you.
Shine
Just because you’re going without makeup, doesn’t mean you can’t do a few extra things to accentuate your natural beauty. An eyelash curler can do wonders for brightening up your eyes and making your bare lashes look darker, fuller, and longer; just look at the difference! Some natural lip balm can not only protect your lips, but make them look brighter and smoother. And light exercise, such as a brisk walk, swim, or playing touch football on the beach, is a great way to add colour to your cheeks and a natural glow all over. By the end of the day, you’ll wonder why you ever wear makeup at all.
What Do You Think?
Do you ever go without makeup? What are your tips for looking your best without the help of cosmetics? I love going to the beach and not having to worry about melting mascara or fading foundation, leave a comment and let me know what you think!
