The ‘No Make-up Day’ does not want to simply reject make-up. The aim is above all to recognize that beauty goes far beyond long eyelashes, rosy cheeks and perfectly symmetrical eyebrows. It’s a day that reminds you that you are beautiful, with or without makeup.
The biggest leader of the ‘no make-up’ movement is singer Alicia Keys. In 2016 she appeared completely natural on the cover of her new album ‘Here’ and has rarely appeared made up since. “Make-up was very important to me. I’ve been wearing it since I was 16 years old. When I got into the music business, I wore it every day. I thought you were supposed to do that. It wasn’t until later that I realized I was becoming addicted to it. I no longer felt comfortable without makeup.”
“From then on, not wearing make-up was a form of rebellion for me. A reaction to what society wanted me to look like,” the 43-year-old singer told the American magazine ‘InStyle’. “I don’t want to cover up anymore. Not my face, not my mind, not my soul, not my thoughts, not my dreams, not my struggles, not my emotional growth. Nothing.”
The most recent and perhaps most striking example of this is actress Pamela Anderson. Even though the ‘Baywatch’ babe is now 56 years old, she almost only appears makeup-free these days. Yes, even on the red carpet. This was a very conscious choice, Anderson revealed to the American magazine ‘Allure’. “For me it is a form of self-love and acceptance.” But major celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Lady Gaga, Nicole Scherzinger and Kylie Jenner have also shared several selfies on social media under the hashtag nomakeup .
“In any case, the fewer beauty products you use, the better,” says our beauty editor Sophie Vereycken. We put too much on our faces, she says. “That is why more and more people are suffering from skin problems today, say dermatologists.”
The beauty expert certainly sees the benefit of a ‘no make-up day’. “That is a few fewer layers. Although makeup is in principle not bad for your skin, especially if you use non-comedogenic products. This means that they contain ingredients that do not clog your pores.”
But showing up without makeup for an important presentation or a date is not easy. “Our perception has something to do with that, psychologist Liesbeth Woertman told me,” says Vereycken. “We like what we are familiar with best. That’s why you often think you look worse in a photo than in the mirror, because you see your reflection every day. The same goes for makeup. By occasionally taking a make-up-free day or period, you get more in touch with what you really look like. This way you learn to appreciate your natural beauty more, resulting in a better self-image.”
Wrinkles may be slightly less visible on makeup-free days
HLN beauty editor Sophie Vereycken
How often do you plan for such a day? “Personally, I use less make-up when my skin is a bit difficult. Then I don’t feel like filling everything up. “Look at what is feasible for you and what you feel most comfortable with,” says the beauty editor. “For example, you can occasionally just use a concealer to cover up some red spots. Or add just one drop of foundation to your day cream to even out your skin a bit.”
However, don’t expect your skin to look more radiant if you go out without makeup more often, says Vereycken. “Because there are so many good and caring make-up products nowadays. Make-up often has a tendency to build up between your fine lines after a few hours. Wrinkles may therefore be slightly less visible on days without make-up. Unfortunately, we can’t say the same for pimples (laughs).”
Does your skin react poorly to makeup? The culprits are mainly the make-up removers, says dermatologist Thomas Maselis. “These products often contain ingredients that remove the protective layer from your skin, which can disrupt your skin barrier.”
Do you want to go through the day makeup-free, but do you feel insecure with your naked face? “The better your skincare, the less makeup you need,” Vereycken tips. “For example, try an eye cream with caffeine to reduce the bags under your eyes. That has a diuretic effect. A firm facial massage with a roller or a gua sha will improve your blood circulation and will also ensure that less moisture accumulates under your eyes. Bonus: it gives your skin a more rosy glow glow.”
“There is also skincare with light-reflecting particles. These are, for example, day creams where the words ‘glow’ or ‘éclat’ stated on the packaging. They reflect the light, making your skin look a little smoother and more even. But that’s already a little bit of cheating (laughs).”
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