This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
No regrets: f*ck cosmetic dependence
[Note to Johnny Silvercloud – Do you publish stuff about the beauty industry in your publication?]
When I wore makeup years ago, I only wore mascara and eyeliner, but these two things still made a noticeable difference to my face.
It’s been an interesting journey without makeup – especially when I experienced significant acne flare-ups and could use the “help” makeup provides, but I didn’t give in even then.
Why Did I Give Up Makeup?
I don’t have a problem with makeup.
And though I haven’t been partaking in it for years, I still appreciate it and will likely use it again at some point, but with limits.
I never want to feel like I NEED makeup to feel MORE confident about my appearance or body.
Absolute confidence goes much deeper than the surface and face you present.
But You’re “Attractive”
Attractiveness and beauty are subjective.
Everyone has parts of themselves that are attractive.
Out of the billions of people worldwide, having one measurement of beauty is impossible and unrealistic.
This is why some people for person x gorgeous and others find person x hideous.
Many equate beauty to everything outside of physical appearance.
But sometimes, I have “ugly days.”
Ugly Days Don’t Exist
When you have an “off” day with your appearance, you might leverage makeup as a crutch to compensate for some imaginary gap you feel in your appearance.
We don’t ever have bad days, ugly days, or off days.
We only have days where our confidence is “off.”
The makeup industry is a billion-dollar industry and growing.
How is the industry growing so rapidly?
It thrives off the insecurities of primarily women.
Are women becoming more confident or more insecure? How many women feel the need to obtain cosmetic surgery or wear makeup?
What Cosmetics Will [Supposedly] Do For You:
Enhance your look.
Empower your identity.
Increase your confidence.
Unleash your inner strength.
These are some of the promises that cosmetics convey to women, but we already have these things inside us without makeup.
We always have.
Does makeup enhance appearance?
Does makeup increase confidence?
Only when we hand over our power and allow makeup to do these things is the answer to these questions “yes.”
We must constantly challenge the ideas we are fed.
We must question everything.
If we don’t, we will assimilate without caution.
84% of women utilize makeup daily. That’s a lot. No there is nothing wrong with consistently utilizing makeup except when you establish dependence on the makeup (NPD).
Who determined that makeup does make a woman look more attractive?
Who made us believe that makeup is a tool we must utilize daily?
Many of us learned about the complexities of beauty from our mothers, friends, society, and men who frequently are the creators of beauty standards.
I challenge you to create your own beauty standards.
If you wear makeup daily, can you go a day without it?
If you can go a day without makeup, can you go a week without it – while still maintaining your confidence?
How To Know You’re Utilizing Makeup Incorrectly
If you derive your confidence from cosmetics, you are misusing makeup.
Confidence is primarily an internal thing.
Yes, always look your best, but you don’t need to look your best with the inclusion of makeup.
Even if you don’t fit the definition of the ideal beauty standards that society has created, you must remember that you are not chained to societal beauty standards.
You can do your own sh*t.
Why Do Women NEED Makeup To Reclaim Their Confidence & Identity?
Who uses makeup and plastic surgery most? This says
Why Do Many Women Feel Ugly Without Makeup?
And why I gave up makeup for a decade
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.