May 14th Is Bloggers Without Makeup Day: Will You Take It All Off?

Echoing your thought: "we all crave the genuine article." So true.

Melissa writes Stirrup Queens ( http://stirrup-queens.com ) and Lost and Found ( http://lostandfoundandconnectionsabound.blogspot.c... ). Her book is Navigating the Land of If ( http://thelandofif.blogspot.com/ ).

I thought BWM was a phenomenal success and I put up a post on BlogHer the other day explaining why I thought it hit home for so many women. I think it gave us what we all crave:

http://www.blogher.com//why-bloggers-without-makeu...

Kristin at Wanderlust
http://www.wanderlustlust.com

Congratulations on bravely putting up a photo! You're lovely.

I rarely buy makeup and had to this year for an event. I was blown away by the price. There was no way to get by with my old lipstick and eyeliner (they were embarrassingly old). But it's unbelievable how much more we spend on clothing, makeup, shoes, etc. My husband wanted a swimsuit--he went to the store and paid under $30. I wanted a swimsuit--I went to the same store and the lowest priced women's suit was over $50.

Melissa writes Stirrup Queens ( http://stirrup-queens.com ) and Lost and Found ( http://lostandfoundandconnectionsabound.blogspot.c... ). Her book is Navigating the Land of If ( http://thelandofif.blogspot.com/ ).

I gave up make up one day when I was shopping for it, and was shocked at the price of something I wanted.

It got me thinking: Men earn more than women, and they aren't spending what they make on face paint, and they aren't spending their time applying and reapplying it, so why should I? I was living with a male workmate at the time, who always seemed to have more money, and got up later than me, and I just didn't want to perpetuate it.

I found it difficult to keep going make up free sometimes (like at weddings) but I finally through out my safety net (old mascara and pressed powder- just in case!)a few months ago. Feels good.

I don't usually put pics of myself anywhere on the net. not because of how I look, but because the visual identifier does make me feel exposed. I don't even use my name often (I do here)...

So here goes.. up with the photo.Its the only one I have on my computer with my face in it, without my partners (who doesn't want his pic on the net), so it'll have to do for now.

I think that you hit it--it's not even about makeup, it's about what we hide behind.

Melissa writes Stirrup Queens ( http://stirrup-queens.com ) and Lost and Found ( http://lostandfoundandconnectionsabound.blogspot.c... ). Her book is Navigating the Land of If ( http://thelandofif.blogspot.com/ ).

I love your photographs--both your self-portraits and that one you took of me last year at BlogHer. I think makeup or no makeup--you capture the person. And that's what this is all about at the root.

Melissa writes Stirrup Queens ( http://stirrup-queens.com ) and Lost and Found ( http://lostandfoundandconnectionsabound.blogspot.c... ). Her book is Navigating the Land of If ( http://thelandofif.blogspot.com/ ).

I have to believe that any time someone wants to do it, it's a good thing.

Melissa writes Stirrup Queens ( http://stirrup-queens.com ) and Lost and Found ( http://lostandfoundandconnectionsabound.blogspot.c... ). Her book is Navigating the Land of If ( http://thelandofif.blogspot.com/ ).

I never wear makeup. Quit around Christmas last year when I started getting really bad acne and realized the makeup was making the breakouts worse. Love this idea though, for women who hide behind their makeup. Even those of us who don't wear any hide behind other things. Maybe I even hide behind my lack of makeup...

http://www.thepursuitofhealthyness.com

Photos and rambling here.. ( http://www.lauriewrites.com/weblog/2010/05/blogger... )

Laurie
LaurieWrites ( http://lauriewrites.typepad.com )
Photos on Flickr ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/rubyshoes )

I posted mine with about 5 minutes to spare but I think this is a great thing to do!

Lovely and honest and clean :-)

Melissa writes Stirrup Queens ( http://stirrup-queens.com ) and Lost and Found ( http://lostandfoundandconnectionsabound.blogspot.c... ). Her book is Navigating the Land of If ( http://thelandofif.blogspot.com/ ).

I'd have to drink for makeup, but luckily, I scoot by calculus-free :-)

Melissa writes Stirrup Queens ( http://stirrup-queens.com ) and Lost and Found ( http://lostandfoundandconnectionsabound.blogspot.c... ). Her book is Navigating the Land of If ( http://thelandofif.blogspot.com/ ).

I love the way you say that at the end: "comfortable in my own, bare skin." Because that bareness is another layer of becoming comfortable.

Melissa writes Stirrup Queens ( http://stirrup-queens.com ) and Lost and Found ( http://lostandfoundandconnectionsabound.blogspot.c... ). Her book is Navigating the Land of If ( http://thelandofif.blogspot.com/ ).

You are not just funny--you're hysterical. I love reading stories on your blog, not just because I usually know the landmarks but because you crack me up.

I also admit that I pick what I think is the most flattering. I'll make Josh retake a picture a few times to get one that I think makes me look okay.

Melissa writes Stirrup Queens ( http://stirrup-queens.com ) and Lost and Found ( http://lostandfoundandconnectionsabound.blogspot.c... ). Her book is Navigating the Land of If ( http://thelandofif.blogspot.com/ ).

Ouch--just thinking of the earring going through the ear brings me vicarious pain.

Melissa writes Stirrup Queens ( http://stirrup-queens.com ) and Lost and Found ( http://lostandfoundandconnectionsabound.blogspot.c... ). Her book is Navigating the Land of If ( http://thelandofif.blogspot.com/ ).

I don't know if it's a better/worse thing. I took it to be a match-up-your-face-with-your-writing sort of thing. If you don't hide your true self in your writing, don't hide your true face for one day.

Melissa writes Stirrup Queens ( http://stirrup-queens.com ) and Lost and Found ( http://lostandfoundandconnectionsabound.blogspot.c... ). Her book is Navigating the Land of If ( http://thelandofif.blogspot.com/ ).

Which means that you're pretty every day :-)

Melissa writes Stirrup Queens ( http://stirrup-queens.com ) and Lost and Found ( http://lostandfoundandconnectionsabound.blogspot.c... ). Her book is Navigating the Land of If ( http://thelandofif.blogspot.com/ ).

That is so cool! I never heard that before

Melissa writes Stirrup Queens ( http://stirrup-queens.com ) and Lost and Found ( http://lostandfoundandconnectionsabound.blogspot.c... ). Her book is Navigating the Land of If ( http://thelandofif.blogspot.com/ ).

One of my last times was when I last saw you :-) I think I had on lipstick that night.

Melissa writes Stirrup Queens ( http://stirrup-queens.com ) and Lost and Found ( http://lostandfoundandconnectionsabound.blogspot.c... ). Her book is Navigating the Land of If ( http://thelandofif.blogspot.com/ ).

I realized my profile picture is sans makeup mostly because I never wear makeup. As a fellow work-at-home-in-sweats person.

Melissa writes Stirrup Queens ( http://stirrup-queens.com ) and Lost and Found ( http://lostandfoundandconnectionsabound.blogspot.c... ). Her book is Navigating the Land of If ( http://thelandofif.blogspot.com/ ).

Not a fail--as long as you post a picture of yourself sans makeup, you win.

Melissa writes Stirrup Queens ( http://stirrup-queens.com ) and Lost and Found ( http://lostandfoundandconnectionsabound.blogspot.c... ). Her book is Navigating the Land of If ( http://thelandofif.blogspot.com/ ).

I think you look lovely in both morning shots. And for the record, long hair is even messier in the morning. Think: rat's nest.

Melissa writes Stirrup Queens ( http://stirrup-queens.com ) and Lost and Found ( http://lostandfoundandconnectionsabound.blogspot.c... ). Her book is Navigating the Land of If ( http://thelandofif.blogspot.com/ ).

Let us know when your picture is up and we'll click over to see it.

Melissa writes Stirrup Queens ( http://stirrup-queens.com ) and Lost and Found ( http://lostandfoundandconnectionsabound.blogspot.c... ). Her book is Navigating the Land of If ( http://thelandofif.blogspot.com/ ).

I did love the way community bubbled up from this. I wonder how many will leave up their makeup-free picture and how many will return to makeup.

Melissa writes Stirrup Queens ( http://stirrup-queens.com ) and Lost and Found ( http://lostandfoundandconnectionsabound.blogspot.c... ). Her book is Navigating the Land of If ( http://thelandofif.blogspot.com/ ).

I don't think you have to leave it off all day--just post one picture :-) I understand that desire to feel polished as you're leaving the house.

Melissa writes Stirrup Queens ( http://stirrup-queens.com ) and Lost and Found ( http://lostandfoundandconnectionsabound.blogspot.c... ). Her book is Navigating the Land of If ( http://thelandofif.blogspot.com/ ).

I really love this idea. So much fun!

I have never worn makeup and have no plans to wear it in the foreseeable future.

I used "never wore makeup" when I played the "I never" game and just about every single person in the game had worn makeup so that was a good one for me to move ahead in the game. But ... then ... grumble, grumble ... my friend got me back by saying "I have never taken calculus" and I lost my advantage as I have taken calculus. :-)

Cathy  R.

Admiration and proud self-proclamation of natural beauty may not be the norm as depicted by the media, shopping malls and most magazine racks. But, in the circles I run amok in - it sure does. Natural beauty is revered, esteemed and sought after. Through nourishment, water herbs and oils. That's my daily beauty regime. I also like to play it up and paint. BUT. Not CAKE it on. And oh, is there ever a difference. I have grown comfortable in my own, bare skin - which was no easy feat.

I'm not a makeup girl, so you'd be hard pressed to find a photo of me wearing makeup. I'll admit that I do try to post photos of myself that have some redeeming characteristics, but occasionally a bad photo is just too funny to pass up. For me, funny trumps beauty every day.

(If you tell me I'm not funny, I'll die, of course.)

http://stimeyland.blogspot.com

http://www.twitter.com/Stimey

I almost never wear make-up. Once for a girls night out a crowd of us who never usually bother with our appearance decided to wear (at the very least) lipstick and earrings. I had to scrape dried up lipstick out of the tube and re-pierce one of my ears - ouch!

Karen Banes  (@writeandchange ( http://twitter.com/writeandchange )) blogs at ChangeTheWorldWithWords.com ( http://www.changetheworldwithwords.com/ )

Angela Green

Editor, Take Care of Mom ( http://takecareofmom.wordpress.com )

You are so right on! Although I find it interesting, I don't have an opinion either way on what women choose for themselves.... makeup, breastfeeding, whatever.

I find this discussion somewhat similar to the breastfeeding and drug-free birth discussions we women have. It doesn't matter.
If some women feel that make-up makes them look better - fine. I like wearing make-up although most days the under-eye concealer is about all I can manage. Like breast-feeding and drug-free birthing, there are no medals and there's no moral superior, so why do I feel that 'make-up free' is being seen here as the better of the two?

However, in honor of the day, here is my no make-up look today :)

Elisa Camahort Page
BlogHer
elisa@blogher.com
My BlogHer profile truly shows you everything I do online...Check it out!!

I do not wear any makeup about 90% of the time. However I learned when I met with a media coach about a television show I was doing, about the importance of wearing makeup and lipstick. She said it harkens back to historic times when women won in battle and "painted their faces" in triumph. Psychologically it sends a message to men that we are the leader and in charge. When I heard this, I started wearing it more often in my business dealings!

Beverly Flaxington

Blog: Dealing with Difficult People ( http://dealingdifficultpeople.blogspot.com/ )

Book: Understanding Other People: The Five Secrets ( http://www.understandingotherpeople.com/ )

I can't remember the last time I had any make-up on. Period.

I only wear makeup for special occasions or church nowadays. I do like the special feeling I get from looking my best, just like when I wear a nice dress or outfit.

I get up for work at 3am. I work from home in work jammies so I don't have a reason to put make up on.

Most of my photos I am not wearing makeup. The picture in my profile is from a wedding so I do have some on there. I don't wear much even when I put it on.

Elizabeth

@texasebeth

http://texasebeth.blogspot.com

http://www.LandRDesigns.etsy.com

Well, kind of. I will wear no make up out and about today. But tonight I have to don stage makeup, of all makeups, as it is opening night for our Spring show. So I'll be wearing the MOST MAKEUP I wear all year. I have failed Blogger No Makeup Day

enna Hatfield (@FireMom ( http://twitter.com/FireMom )), from Stop, Drop and Blog ( http://stopdropandblog.com ) and The Chronicles of Munchkin Land ( http://thechroniclesofmunchkinland.com ), is a freelance writer and newspaper photographer.

http://surrenderdorothy.typepad.com/surrender_doro... ( http://surrenderdorothy.typepad.com/surrender_doro... )

Rita Arens authors Surrender Dorothy and is the editor of Sleep is for the Weak. She is BlogHer's assignment and syndication editor.

What a fun day. I'm in!

Best,

Margee Moore

Blogger at www.moxiemom.com ( http://www.moxiemom.com/ ) and author of the iPhone app, Sleeping With the Laundry: Notes from the Mommy Track.  A five star star rated app.

I absolutely loved participating in today - seeing all the beautiful, honest faces, and seeing all the thoughtful, lovely comments that were left on everyone's blogs. I felt liberated and part of something truly good.

While I don't wear very much makeup (geez, just look at my picture!) I do wear some. Frankly, it makes me feel polished and put-together and yeah, it's nice to have actual eyelashes. And since I have an actual office job to go to today, I think I'll be leaving the Kathie Lee solidarity to you all and supporting you from behind a little bit of blush and a swipe of mascara.

Let's just say I'll be wearing no makeup on the inside.

Making millions at Mom-101 ( http://mom-101.com )
( http://coolmompicks.com )

Cool Mom Picks ( http://coolmompicks.com )

And you look fantastic in those shots on your blog.

Melissa writes Stirrup Queens ( http://stirrup-queens.com ) and Lost and Found ( http://lostandfoundandconnectionsabound.blogspot.c... ). Her book is Navigating the Land of If ( http://thelandofif.blogspot.com/ ).

So are you going to post a full-face picture today?

Melissa writes Stirrup Queens ( http://stirrup-queens.com ) and Lost and Found ( http://lostandfoundandconnectionsabound.blogspot.c... ). Her book is Navigating the Land of If ( http://thelandofif.blogspot.com/ ).

"We all long to take off our social "masks" and be seen for who we are. Blogging offers us a venue to speak our truths, to write honestly and without censure, and showing our "real" faces on our blogs is another step in that direction."

So true--three cheers to that.

Melissa writes Stirrup Queens ( http://stirrup-queens.com ) and Lost and Found ( http://lostandfoundandconnectionsabound.blogspot.c... ). Her book is Navigating the Land of If ( http://thelandofif.blogspot.com/ ).

I wore makeup for my profile pics, but I rarely wear it any other time. I'm not trying to make any personal statement by not wearing makeup, for me it's more about being totally lazy. I hate the time it takes to put it on, and I hate the time it takes to take it off.

In fact, I recently wrote a post that included two pics of me and my kids, and I'm not wearing any makeup in either picture.

http://blog.chooseyou.com/2010/05/11/im-choosing-m...

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
Also at Catherine-Morgan.com ( http://catherine-morgan.com/ )

I love being without makeup. Unless I'm having a skin reaction to something.

One Friday night, I loaded up my life and headed out... ( http://isledance.blogspot.com )

I loved the idea of showing our real faces to the world and apparently, based on the enthusiastic response, so did almost all the other women who read about it.

We all long to take off our social "masks" and be seen for who we are. Blogging offers us a venue to speak our truths, to write honestly and without censure, and showing our "real" faces on our blogs is another step in that direction.

Kudos to Jodie for having the courage and creativity to start this movement. Let's hear it for blogging in the buff!

You see washed out lips and I see a great smile.

Melissa writes Stirrup Queens ( http://stirrup-queens.com ) and Lost and Found ( http://lostandfoundandconnectionsabound.blogspot.c... ). Her book is Navigating the Land of If ( http://thelandofif.blogspot.com/ ).

And you look fantastic in your pictures. Maybe you're onto something...less is more :-)

Melissa writes Stirrup Queens ( http://stirrup-queens.com ) and Lost and Found ( http://lostandfoundandconnectionsabound.blogspot.c... ). Her book is Navigating the Land of If ( http://thelandofif.blogspot.com/ ).

I love the point you made about how naked we are with our words, how you're presenting your real self through your writing. If we can do it in one place, we should be able to do it in others.

Melissa writes Stirrup Queens ( http://stirrup-queens.com ) and Lost and Found ( http://lostandfoundandconnectionsabound.blogspot.c... ). Her book is Navigating the Land of If ( http://thelandofif.blogspot.com/ ).