The final product of my first wedding trial: Fully wearing makeup!
Our wedding is in less than two months, and so this week I had my first ever wedding makeup trial!
Now, let’s discuss the concept of makeup.
How does makeup fit into the life of a normal gal, as well as a traveler? Answer: I’ve never seen the point of makeup.
I’ve done pretty fine in my life without it (you know, career, family, friends, fiance, fun). So why would I spend the time and money on painting my face when it’s unnecessary? Think about it this way: If you had the choice of breathing for free, versus breathing for $1 and an extra minute for every puff, which would you pick?
It’s a similar choice to this: Would I rather wake up at 5:40am to get to school each morning makeup-free, or arise at 5:30am to paint my face with expensive chemicals? As far as I can tell, my 7th graders can still hear me without my lips being red, and that extra ten minutes of sleep at the crack of dawn is precious.
Now let’s pause for a moment for photos from my admittedly super-fun wedding makeup trial this week:
-
- What a beautiful Boston makeup studio!
-
- They started with primer to make my skin less red.
-
- Drawing in the eyeliner to enhance my lash line.
-
- Look at all these tools of makeup science.
-
- I kind of want to bite into lipstick like a popsicle.
-
- Adding blush to contour my cheekbone region.
-
- Oy! The fake eyelash glue burned my eyes!
-
- I liked the poofy clown nose used to blend makeup.
-
- This was the view out the studio window. Nice!
-
- Feeling glamorous. HAD to pose like this.
-
- We debated about the lip color. Too dark?
-
- I like this photo! Feeling fancy.
-
- Wearing makeup (!!!) after my first wedding trial.
-
- Next, my dear mother got her makeup done.
-
- We walked home through Copley Square…
-
- …Where we took hilarious action photos.
-
- My fiance said, “WHOA!” when he saw my makeup.
-
- But then he said he loves me, painted or not.
Now, what about traveling with makeup? If you notice, my articles on what to pack for travel never include such items as “eyeliner” or “foundation.” Why? First, I think it’s downright dangerous. Eye makeup in particular can cause eye infections, and I sure as heck don’t want to deal with conjunctivitis in rural Ghana. During backpacking, it’s hard enough to find a place to wash my hands well enough to take out my contact lenses without risk, let alone get enough water and scrubbing materials to fully take off eye makeup before sleep. Is the “benefit” of having slightly more defined eyelashes worth the risk of blindness from untreated or poorly treated infection?
Look at all these tools of makeup science.
And simply having a more defined eyelash line strikes me in itself as worrisome. Nearly all of my travels around the world have been as a solo female traveler, and for safety reasons, I often go out of my way to look less beautiful or feminine.
When I’m walking alone at night, I wear a baggy shirt to cover up, and night or day, I don’t wear makeup in a strange city where I know no one. No woman should ever be assaulted, no matter how she’s dressed, but, given that I had a scary episode in Vietnam involving a creepy man, I’m well aware that women always need to be aware of how we come across to people around us.
So that brings us to a final question regarding makeup: What’s the point?
I’d actually love for any female readers to explain it to me in the comments section, below.
What are YOUR reasons for wearing makeup? What about during travel? What effects (positive or negative) have you experienced when painted and not? Do please share!
Ms. Marshall, I affirm what you said about waking up at 5:30 just to put on makeup. While I was doing Urban Nutcracker, I had to put on all of my makeup before the show, although I had to wait for a very long time.
I rarely wear make-up when traveling. I do only for important days and it’s very few of them in a year. I never use anything for my face nor lips, but transparent lip balm, eye shadows, eyeliner and a mascara.
thanks for this article.. I found your comment on the Ny times article.. well said.. I put some concealer on and some eyeliner but normally don’t spend more than ten minutes a day putting makeup on. I do think it makes me look less tired and adds some color to my face, and yes, I admit there are days where I don’t feel attractive if I’m not wearing it, however, I don’t rely on it. I don’t think I could ever be the type of girl who spends an hour putting makeup on every day. With that said, if it makes them feel better go for it. I wrote a blog about makeup. Here’s the link.. http://blog.daniellesonnenberg.com/?p=555
Would love to hear your comments.
By the way, you’re beautiful inside and out!!
Glad you found me. Fascinating article! I’m glad you included the trailer for Miss Representation. I haven’t seen it yet, but have heard great things.
I think you are absolutely right in regards to you not using makeup. You have naturally beautiful strong features and lovely pigmented lips. In the photo on your sidebar even your cheeks are filled with a natural flush and that is gorgeous. I was keen on keeping a low maintenance, this is me – like it or not – natural look in high school and took my senior pictures accordingly. They turned out really bad. My face was shiny in the light, my eyelashes disappeared and it didn’t look true to life. It looked like I didn’t try. I did retakes with just a bit of makeup and they are amazing, the photos still look to be quintessentially “me” even years later. This is the problem with too much makeup as well, people can look extremely dated. Now I am a user of makeup every day, however, I have guidelines as to everyday makeup. I don’t want it to take forever to apply, I don’t want to have to touch it up at all so once applied, that’s it, it’s on for the day, including lipstick. I am an expat and have lived in Belize for 10 years and I believe my makeup has contributed to me being safer as regards to skin cancer and has actually slowed down the aging process too. I am religious about applying sunscreen and use a product that has sunscreen, anti-aging properties and a slight tint. My lips are the same color as my face and if I don’t wear a little lipstick I often have people ask me if I am sick. That can hurt! Ouch. So I use an all day lipcolor, usually Covergirl Outlast or L’Oreal Lipfinity, they stain my lips and last 16 hours and don’t dry out my lips, I forget it’s even on. My lashes are very light colored and sparse so finding a mascara that lasts all day and gives some thickness and doesn’t smudge or flake has been wonderful for me, it gives me confidence and isn’t a hassle, the benefits outweigh the minute it takes to apply. I agree with the above poster that cosmetics can be used like clothing, to look polished and pulled together, they are a tool to express style and often influence how other people view you. Like you, I have made attempts to look less feminine and attractive when traveling alone in areas that could be considered dangerous and am very light handed and make sure to cover up with more modest clothing when I’m in countries where the culture deems it appropriate such as when traveling in Arabic countries to show respect. It is fascinating to see what is defined as beautiful in other countries, I confess to wearing my lipstick a little darker in Paris but I also wear clothing that is a bit more polished and chic too there! I wear makeup because I like it and find it fun. That being said, my husband says I look most beautiful in the morning when I first wake up, hair mussed and makeup free. Go figure! Sorry for the novel but just wanted to answer your questions thoughtfully and honestly. I think you look beautiful both with makeup and without.
Thank you so much for this thoughtful and interesting comment. I love hearing these different perspectives and experiences!
I think the best way to describe the use of makeup is by comparing it to clothing choice. Deciding on an outfit, be it for work or an outing with friends, is a form of self-expression and self-presentation. In the same way you pair different articles of clothing, you can apply makeup to create a specific look. From heavily outlined eyes to draw attention to one’s self in a dark room, to light blush to freshen up one’s appearance, makeup acts as an addition to one’s persona. Choosing not to wear any is fine. But those who do choose to wear it should not be subjugated to the stereotype that they are seeking to appear more conventionally attractive.
That said, your makeup looked great!
This is a beautiful way to describe it! Makes sense!
Hi!!!
I love your makeup. Where did you get it done? I am currently looking for hair and makeup trials. So if you have recommendations please share.
Thank you
Thanks!
The makeup is Jessica Peacock of http://www.katrinahess.com/ studios, and the genius who will do my wedding hair (not pictured here) is Priscilla of http://themodernpriscilla.com/ . Please tell them I sent you if you contact them!
You look so gorgeous with makeup, Ms. Marshall. But I completely agree with you!! My cousin doesn’t even go to the grocery store without a full face of makeup on. And not only do I think it’s a waste of time but I also think it’s kind of stupid. That’s why I usually never put on makeup. And if I do it’s usually limited to eyeliner. I think you look great with or without makeup though. Just can’t wait to see all the pictures from the wedding
Hey Ms. Marshall,
Oh and I agree with Mandusu about makeup being a confidence booster. Have fun at your wedding.
I wanted to say you looked very pretty with your makeup, but what about your hair. I mean your hair is very pretty but I feel like it is essential to a wedding. I mean like didn’t you ever imagine that day where you just walk through that aisle and everyone is looking at you, with a nice natural hair style. I mean you’ll still look pretty like you always do but hair is nice.
Of course if I am going full-out with my painted face, I shall style my hair amazingly, too!
My wedding hair trial was the next day and wait until you see what style I chose…
Did the make up hurt your eyes. You seem to be in pain. I don’t get the purpose of make up, but have fun at your wedding.
Ms.Marshall, you look so pretty with makeup! Also I am also concerned about girls putting on makeup.Hope you have a great time at your wedding!
Ms. Marshall let me just say that you look super fabulous in your trial pictures and I completely understand what you are trying to say, but I have to modify your claim. Makeup has a purpose. It makes you look beautiful. I wear makeup because I can have the confidence of walking into a room and getting a compliment like, “Wow Lucy, you’re makeup looks really good today!” and that would make my day (even though I already know that my makeup looks good. I mean come on. I was the one who put it on). Another thing that makeup does is get rid of insecurities. In the morning I get dark circles under my eyes from waking up at the crack of dawn. So what do I do, use concealer and a bit of blush to get rid of it. Then ta-da! I look and feel great. I know what may be thinking. She only thinks she looks nice with makeup on, but that is not true at all. I don’t want to sound self centered but I love who I am and what I look like. There is nothing wrong with that now is there? If I ever go to the middle of the jungle of course I wouldn’t use a reflecting pool as a mirror to apply my mascara. I love makeup and might I add, you look great in it.
Ms. Marshall, I love make-up I think it is really fun. I don’t do it all the time, but I do know a good amount about it. You look beautiful with make-up (our without it.)
I believe that everyone is beautiful in their own way. With or without makeup, everyone is beautiful. I get it how when people want to look pretty for a day or two, but there is no need to look pretty with makeup. To me, makeup is just something people use to look like a Barbie doll. No, you don’t need to wear makeup to look pretty, just be yourself and there you go. Everyone is prettier without makeup, also Ms. O’Flaherty calls “makeup”, “fakeup” because you aren’t being you. I love how you talked about how women shouldn’t be assaulted and you’re right. No one should be even close to assaulting a women, it shows no respect for women and it only make you look stupid and pathetic. But again, every women looks beautiful without makeup.
I do not understand why girls have to put on a pound of makeup to go to school. It doesn’t even make since because you have to wake up so early and in the morning we could all use some extra sleep.
I only wear eyeliner but that’s it. There is something called natural beauty. You’re gorgeous, even without makeup.
I like the fact that you are one of the very few women who don’t put on make up. Make up is simply there to make women feel better about themselves when in reality, they are beautiful the way they are. But, sometimes it is good for a girl to look and feel fabulous. Judging off of these pictures, I know you are going to look stunning at your wedding!
I honestly think you look perfect without it. I’m so excited. Take many pictures on your wedding day. It would be the most beautiful day to remember.
Make-up really is just a confidence booster. I don’t even think people wear make-up for other people to envy them and praise them. I think it’s just so that you can feel better about yourself and that’s all. I for one am not for make-up at all but if someone wants to wear it to boost their confidence, then knock yourself out.
In your ” Feeling Glamorous, had to pose” photo, there is a lady in the back, who is that?
A random woman who was also in the store!
I am all for makeup! (Even through my mom doesn’t let me use it
). But in the end I believe people, girls especially, should accept themselves as they are with or without makeup. That’s what beauty is isn’t it. Be-You-tiful. 
I think that everybody perfect the way they are and the makeup look very complicated.
I think that makeup is a waste of time because it doesn’t make anyone feel better. There is nothing wrong with anyone’s face. I don’t get why they try to hide it. You look good with or without makeup. I hope you get happily married.
You make makeup sound like rocket science or something. Is it really that complicated?
Ms.Marshall, I absolutely agree with you about wearing make up has no purpose. I am not just saying that because I am a boy, I actually mean it. Some girls walk around wearing so much make up for no reason. They will look just as beautiful without make up as they would with make up. Well anyways you look very nice in all your pictures and I hope you enjoy getting married!