Ya know, I go through phases. Sometimes, I’ll diligently wear makeup every day, and I’ll remember how much better I feel when my brows are combed and my lashes are curled and coated with mascara (at a minimum), but then for any number of reasons nowadays I’ll slip into a pit of semi-despair (sounds dramatic, but it feels that way sometimes) and forget to put any makeup for several days…
During those phases I’ll tend to also let other things slide, like I won’t do my hair, and I’ll rock wrinkly clothes that could easily double as pajamas.
Eventually, I snap out of it and realize, yet again, that when I put in a little effort and “show up for myself,” I feel better all around. So it’s cyclical, I guess.
One thing that helps me is reminding myself that I don’t have to don everything and the kitchen sink. Even a little bit of self-care counts and makes a big difference in my mood.
Sometimes I feel like I have to do “spicy” or “exciting” looks, partly out of habit, and sometimes just so I can talk about them here on MBB. But that can be overwhelming. Sometimes the very thought of spending an hour doing something elaborate is all the disincentive I need to not do anything at all, haha! And the cycle just keeps going… But if I do just a little, even just mascara, it will usually more easily lead me to do other things, and pretty soon I’ll have some face paint on and feel much better.
I’ve noticed this pattern echoing in other parts of my life, now that I think about it. Before The ‘Rona, I loved going to the gym and working out with my friends in HIIT class, but now I’m pretty much stuck working out by myself at home. ? When I was having trouble staying motivated (I mean when it was really bad a couple months ago), I investing in some cute workout clothes, which I hadn’t really done in ages, and it helped.
When I feel put together, I definitely push myself harder, even when I’m by myself.
How about you? Have you been wearing more or less makeup during quarantine?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Definitely less makeup! Especially with summer, I tend to wear less anyway because I sweat and the more tan I am the more even my skin tone gets. I never force myself though so if I’m not feeling it, then that’s fine too.
Bare min is some eyebrow filling in and mascara, but I feel my best when I’ve got eye makeup, brows, concealer and blush/bronzer on. I also don’t do my hair ever so having more makeup makes me feel more put together even with baby hairs sticking out and a messy bun. I’ve also been getting dressed in normal clothes most days, granted my comfiest normal clothes, but it still counts!!
So much less! I’m in a mask for 8 hours a day while at work and there is absolutely no point in doing face makeup.
Hi Katrina,
I’m looking for comfortable masks for me and my family! Do you have one that you like?
The best masks I’ve found came from Kohls. The Bespoke brand.
Thanks, Katrina! I’ll look into them. 🙂
Less. I used to wear makeup every day. April-June, I was wearing it once a week at most, as I have been really depressed from world events. My depression is a lot better now, so I’ve been trying to make myself do makeup more, even though I rarely go anywhere. July and August I’ve been wearing it 2-4 times a week.
Oh, Rachel. I am with you 100%. I think I’m going to try something that Tatiana mentioned in the comments — wearing a different lipstick every day. I am hoping that at least trying on a something without having to make a commitment to it (eye makeup always feels like a commitment!) will keep my spirits up. Hang in there, friend!
none, I am wearing none. I had high hopes for 2020. I was going to demolish my makeup collection. I was going to wear two eye shadows per day, blush and lipstick . I was pledging to wear a full face everyday.
When March hit, I have not worn one piece, one lick , or one stitch of makeup . Infact, i bought the new rihanna lipstick thinking the coronavirus would go away like the flu and when that didnt , i just put it in a corner
Seriously I get it. I went into this year thinking that I’d push myself creatively but now putting on mascara feels like a major accomplishment.
It’s funny because I don’t wear makeup every day since I started working from home but when I do wear it, it’s a full face! So it’s either all or nothing! I guess I figure if I am going to do it then I am going to go all out! I guess it also helps that when I am doing makeup it’s not as early as it was when I was working in an office and I’m not half asleep while I’m getting ready!
That’s cool, Carla. What kind of full-face looks have you been doing? When I do end up wearing a full face, I keep falling back on looks that I know I can do.
Foundation, concealer, bronzer, eyeshadow, eyeliner, blush, highlight, brows, mascara!! I usually do the same(ish) look though. I usually do a neutral eye but will sometimes throw on some purple!
In some ways less and in some ways more. On a day to day basis there are fewer days that I put on any makeup. I find that wearing mascara is more uncomfortable now. But when I do put it on I try to be creative with my collection and push it a bit past my comfort zone.
Even before the virus, I never needed to wear makeup to feel good about myself, so I tended to only wear it when going out someplace special.
Dear Husband went camping and I spent one day going through my makeup and I threw a good third of it in the trash. That was just the first comb through too. I’m hoping to compare palettes and colors and throw more things away that have a similar feel. I mean I’m never gonna be able to use it all up before I go anyway.
I’m also going through my foundations and tossing ones that I don’t absolutely love or aren’t an absolutely perfect color match.
I am wearing more lipstick on a day to day basis because I intend to try every single lipstick I have and decide whether to trash it or keep it.
Genius idea to wear a lipstick every day. I might have to do that with my MAC lippies! 🙂
I am wearing less mostly because it’s Summer and having acne I have let my skin breath if I get breaks out. I am making sure to wear actual clothes, put on a cute outfit even if it’s ripped denim shorts lol, give myself a routine. I feel better.
I’m about the same. I only dress up and put makeup on during the weekends. I’m also “all or nothing” for makeup (not by choice but if I don’t do all the right layering of products- my oily skin eats through everything. Must put on the thin layers.) I recently got some new sweaters and jeans, and I feel much more put together wardrobe-wise with just a few new pieces. Plus the ruby necklace also helps, ha!
I’m still wearing makeup everyday. I consider makeup a fun hobby, so I am motivated to put makeup on. Now doing laundry and washing dishes that’s another story. Ha ha.
In the beginning it was good to give myself a break from applying makeup every day, but now I feel more “together” when I add a bit of makeup to my morning grooming routine. Besides, I’ve always loved wearing it and enjoy changing my looks with the seasons, trying out new collections, etc. But, that was pre-COVID and nowadays I’m definitely wearing a softer, more neutral look applied with a lighter hand. Less is more. I have to say, though, I’ve been totally uninspired by autumn’s makeup and clothing collections. Maybe I’m just being a bit grumpy since so many of my autumn activities are a no-go this year.
I wear more make-up! Pre-Covid, I rarely wore more than the bare minimum (blush, lipstick). I’m in health care, so at least twice a week, I like to experiment with eyeshadow, blush, lipstick. I find it REALLY cheers me up, and it’s a relatively quick way to express some stifled creativity.
I found your blog from googling for make-up info – absolutely love it! Even if I dress simply in jeans/sweats, a t-shirt, pretty make-up, and painted toes. . . .it’s a lift. Something in my life is polished and beautiful. . . and I created it. That’s satisfying.
I also feel like a winner if I just moisturize my skin! My skin texture feels 100% better now vs. pre-Covid because I’m giving it more time and attention.
In some ways, I’m grateful that I own very few cosmetics. But, I do wish I had more lipsticks, concealer, a foundation for my tanned skin an updated eye-base, and neutrals for my brown eyes.
I’ve tried buying drugstore products, but that’s like playing the lottery, and I always regret it. It’s just a waste of money (and product) to buy without trying it on beforehand. So, I’m using what I own.
I’d encourage you to feel 100% proud of yourself whether you wear make-up or not.
Did you change your underwear today? Great! Wave hello to a neighbor and connect with another human being? Awesome! Drop some food off at a food bank? Deliver a nice note/gift to any first responders or grocery folks?
We all mourn for all the activities that brought endorphins to us. But, apparently this is a time to develop a resiliency that is beyond what we ever could have imagined for ourselves.
Everyone I know has waves of anguish/grief. . . but, it passes. Everything is harder, but nothing feels impossible or overly important. Am I breathing with ease? Yes. Are my most basic needs met? Yes. Am I lonely? You bet. Has the pandemic brought a lot of darkness to light and raised some awareness to universal change? Yes. Does anything stay the same or last forever? No.
As for masks; I’m sorry– no mask is comfortable. I’d go for cotton duck and a beautiful pattern or in any color that doesn’t make you want to curse the thing/life. Probably the most durable in a washing machine, and let it air-dry. Also, make sure the pattern is different on the outside vs. inside, or that it’s very obvious which way to apply the mask if you are going for the tie/around the head-style. I have to wear the behind the ear style for work, so at home, I wear the behind the head tie style to rest my ears. I wear a high ponytail and anchor the upper ties above the pony tail. If you do wear the ear-style, do not get anything textured or thick around the ears. It will be painful in a short time.
I have a bunch that were made from old men’s shirts and leftover fabric. . . and they do the job. Get a stash of them, though. . . keep in the car.
I don’t wear any makeup at all now. I have discovered, despite the crazy world events and the virus, my self confidence isn’t based on me wearing makeup (I didn’t wear much to begin with). But now, it’s been liberating to not wear anything. I do tint my brows and lashes myself. Lastly, with wearing a mask when going out, lipstick is out of the question. I keep wanting to buy more, but remind myself, it’s not the season right now.
I’m wearing about the same amount of makeup I’ve always worn. I’ve continued to wear (at a bare minimum) cheek contour, concealer, foundation, blush or bronzer, mascara, and (during the hours I’m not out and wearing a mask) lipstick or gloss every day since Ohio quarantine startes-I also usually wear at least one (but more most days!) eyeshadow, and sometimes eyeliner, highlighter, and/or (if I’m wearing blush) bronzer. It’s actually been quite soothing for me to do a full face every day and log what I wore, because no matter how bad the virus situation gets, I know my makeup is still within my control.
That’s a good way of looking at it. There are so many things that we can’t control right now, but at least makeup is one of them.
More, which surprises me. At first it was less (meaning none). However, I used to rely on lippies for color and interest (notably my own – I love lippies). Now all that shows is my eyes. So for the first time in my life, I do my eyes several times a week! I also use sunscreen with HA and LM tinted moisturize mixed in and a little cheek color.
That’s awesome, Amy! 🙂 Have you found any eye makeup items that excite you in particular?
Aww thanks! I’ve been using a few purple and pink Chanel palettes and a neutral Tom Ford palette, and grey or gold brown (Mac powersurge) eyeliner. Very fun!
I’ve always liked how Chanel and TF handled eye color. And Powersurge is such a classic! If you don’t have it already MAC Prunella, Costa Riche and Teddy are must haves!
I keep wearing around the same amount, but am experimenting much less than I did before – probably because I am SO tired from working crazy hours that I can´t muster up any creativity.
I think we’re all tired! Feel you, lady!
I think you look fabulous so you did something right with the workout motivation! 🙂 I do a tiny bit less when I think of my “net makeup”. Still the same eyes but I’ve swapped a colorless sunscreen for my pre-covid tinted moisturizer. Really the only difference is that I don’t wear blush these days. It was one of my “don’t leave home without it” items so it’s an adjustment. But if I wear it, it just ends up on the inside of my mask.
PS You know I’m here for you when Connor asks for that short bob! HAHA! It was the middle of the night (your time) when I saw that and I didn’t want to risk waking you up with a DING by replying. 🙂 Oh, and happy Friday! I hope you all have a fab weekend!
The workout clothes were also partly an excuse/reason to buy more shoes, haha! I no longer wear fabulous heels but my sneaker collection is lookin’ pretty good these days! 🙂
Oh girl, no worries about the message… Write any time! I have my stuff set so that I can sleep through the night. Message me whenever, because I love hearing from you. When those second set of pics are taken with the mom approved cut, I want to see them.
P.S. Why are dudes so oblivious to the wonders of their curls? Because your son’s curls are kind of epic.
You know you’re right after my own heart with the sneaker collection. HAHA! Great news on the phone settings. Very smart! Oh, I agree. It’s the same with eyelashes. My other son used to ask me if he could cut his because they were too long and thick. I know. Just. Ugh. I will totally send over some pics with the “hopefully less mullety hair”. I keep willing it to grow faster. HAHA!
Yes! On my phone there’s a button with a moon symbol which snoozes all of your calls and texts and alerts, but will let numbers that seem important (like “mom”!) go through. I’ll use it until Connor officially hits the age when she can sneak out, LOL!
Oh, and p.s., I never thought I’d see the day when mullet hair would come back. The first guy I dated had a mullet, and that was in 1989!
None. Maybe 3x in 6 months? It’s been great! I focus more on Skincare and have come to really like my face as is. I had already made so many changes before the shut down like not buying makeup and using up what I have, that when ish hit the fan and I wasn’t buying anything, saving became the priority. Makeup seemed trivial and unnecessary in the midst of the world falling apart. Now it is no longer a part of my value system at all!
How great is that Beeca collab with Chrissy Teigen palette?! All the shades in my current palatte are almost gone. I use it all the time, especially during the summer months. It should be in Becca’s permanent collection, it’s that good.
I started the period basically doing the no makeup + pyjama thing and soon realised how bad it was making me feel. So now I try to do my hair, put a nice t-shirt on, some earrings and a bit of concealer+brows and my nicer glasses, which honestly makes such a difference to my productivity. And I still do a full face (my version, it’s never very much to be honest) once a week when my husband and I try to have a covid version of a date day/night. Just a nice walk around the neighbourhood and then home for drinks and a film. It’s not the same by any means, but I think it makes us both feel better in the long run. I just want my old life back!! 🙁 but everyone’s in the same boat, so no point complaining I guess.
I’m wearing zero makeup. I put on lip balm/SPF when I go out for my daily run but that’s it. I miss wearing makeup but since I don’t go anywhere (other than running errands) and if I do I’m wearing a mask, there’s just no point.
If you’re looking for comfortable masks you may want to check out Happy Masks (https://www.happymasks.com). They’re a little pricey but they are really great!