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:
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?
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!
Vanessa says
I don’t wear makeup. I just don’t see the point. If people wear it because they genuinely like it, power to them, but I wonder how much of it is choice and how much of it is cultural indoctrination.
Lillie says
Good point!
Joanne says
I love makeup. There are days where I do it and I look in the mirror and am content with how it looks, and there are days where I do it, look in the mirror, and think I am jaw-dropping gorgeous. I love making my eyes pop with shadows and mascaras and giving my skin a flawless look with primers and foundations because they make me feel good, and everyone deserves to feel absolutely fantastic in their skin. If makeup does that for you, like it does for me, then fantastic, we have something in common. If it doesn’t make you feel like a goddess, that’s perfectly fine, too. Just as we all don’t have the same interests, we all don’t have the same love for makeup.
As for using it while traveling… I personally do. I carry makeup removing wipes and the Meltdown Makeup Remover (by Urban Decay) with me to take it off at night. However, carrying makeup does alter my traveling style a bit. My fiance and I generally don’t stay at campgrounds, so we don’t have to carry around tents and extra living supplies. We stay in private rooms in hostels. So I’ll bring my makeup essentials along with me in a small bag. When we plan to do nature activities (We’re both just as indoorsy people as we are outdoorsy people), we make a sort of “base” at the hostel, rather than hiking and camping each night. But makeup while traveling is important to me, because my fiance and I are very big in photographing our trips, and I want to look nice in photographs that are going to last forever!
Lillie says
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Penny Sadler says
Hi Lillie, I can’t believe I’m just now reading this. There are some great comments here. As a professional makeup artist I will simply say that there are many many good reasons to wear makeup, and some not so good. From my perspective I use makeup as a tool to either create a character, or an attitude, or conversely to eliminate distractions such as shine on camera. I find it a bit ironic that many women say I never bother – only with x,y, or z. Well x,y, or z is putting on makeup! A few final thoughts, spending a bit of time on your appearance, ie, grooming is a good and healthy thing. If that includes makeup, so be it. I once heard a spiritual teacher from India say we owe to ourselves and to others to make an effort. I couldn’t agree more. Now the disclaimer: If I have to chose sleep or makeup, sleep will always win. p.s. you look great no matter what.
Lillie says
Great points! :)
Sophia G. says
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.
Crazy sexy fun traveler says
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.
Danielle Sonnenberg says
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!!
Lillie says
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.
Steph says
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.
Lillie says
Thank you so much for this thoughtful and interesting comment. I love hearing these different perspectives and experiences!
Yana A says
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.
Yana A says
That said, your makeup looked great!
Lillie says
This is a beautiful way to describe it! Makes sense!
Marlana says
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 :)
Lillie says
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!
Alessandra A says
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 :)
Diana Pizarro says
Hey Ms. Marshall,
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. :) Oh and I agree with Mandusu about makeup being a confidence booster. Have fun at your wedding.
Lillie says
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…
Herbert Morales says
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.
Manuel Martins says
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!
Lucy Donovan says
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. ;-)
Emily Guir says
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.)
Simon Phung says
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. :D
Chris Tucker says
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.
Christine Y. says
I only wear eyeliner but that’s it. There is something called natural beauty. You’re gorgeous, even without makeup.
Nelly says
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!
Mynaja says
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.
Mandusu S. says
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.
Jason Zou says
In your ” Feeling Glamorous, had to pose” photo, there is a lady in the back, who is that?
Lillie says
A random woman who was also in the store!
Aisha says
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. :)
Trung Le says
I think that everybody perfect the way they are and the makeup look very complicated.
Raymond Wu says
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.
Jason Zou says
You make makeup sound like rocket science or something. Is it really that complicated?
Victor Monegro says
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!
Hannah says
OMG MS. MARSHALL! Look at you. These pictures are gorgeous and adorable. I hope you and your husband have a nice wedding, and make sure to post lots of pictures so we can see! By your makeup I can already tell you are going to look so pretty when the wedding dress and everything is put together. -Hannah(;
Marilyn says
You look really pretty with make up on! I think it’s cute what your fiance said to you, he loves you with our without make up. That’s so cute!
Sofia L. says
I think it’s so fun to look at all the different types of weapons the studio had for your makeup. You are so lucky that you found a guy who loves you even with and without you. Sometimes it’s hard to find guys like that, so you’re really lucky.
Amy H. says
Woah! You look so gorgeous. You and your fiance are so cute together! (:
Annabella B. says
Honestly, I despise makeup; very pretty girls feel the need to put pounds of makeup on so they can look pretty. I believe makeup makes up even uglier, but if there are reasons then that is fine. You look amazing, and stunning I hope you have an amazing wedding.
Catherine V. says
You look really pretty with make up on, but if you have make up on or not, your still really pretty.
Kelly D. says
You look so pretty, with or without make up on! I love how your fiance says he loves you when you wear or not wear make up! So cute.
Qiyin Y. says
To be honest, I hardly wear makeup unless there is like a dance recital. Other than that, I have never touched a beauty product to enhance the face(except for my cleansing wash). Anyways, you look so awesome with makeup, Ms. Marshall!! :D
Naomi P. says
OH MY LORD! Ms. Marshall you look gorgeous! You guys look wonderful together, he sounds very sweet. (:
However, I agree with you. I’ve never wore makeup, but I would not mind wearing some during special occasions, and I would like to try a little bit of mascara.
– YOU LOOK GREAT <3
Tess O says
Wow you look different with makeup. It looks good but you look good with out it. A lot of people wear makeup everyday and i think it’s cool that you don’t. It’s good to be different.