I was working from home yesterday and needed to run out to get some coffee – stat! I wasn’t going to be gone that long and really didn’t want to get all dolled up; I mean, what’s the point? So I threw on some clothes and then contemplated whether I should do my makeup or not. When I finally decided that it was going to be a makeup-free day, I got a little uneasy. In fact, I contemplated finding a drive-thru just so I wouldn’t have to get out of the car, therefore limiting my possible, random run-ins with people I hadn’t seen in years. They could never see me looking like this, I thought.

What is it that makes me feel like I need to wear makeup? It’s not like I haven’t gone out without makeup before, but I’ve had a particularly unfortunate bout with acne recently, as apparently my body thinks I’m 15 again. However, upon thinking about this more, I’m not so sure it’s a need to wear makeup, as much as a routine. It’s kind of like when I forget my watch at home – I feel completely naked for the rest of the day. I think not wearing makeup makes me feel the same way.

I am certainly an advocate of using makeup to enhance what you already have. Makeup is not something you use to create a facade, in my opinion. You look like what you look like – now it’s just up to you to make yourself look presentable. And I really don’t think it takes an obscene amount of products either, especially if you already have rather non-problematic skin.

Not everyone feels this way about makeup, I realize. I have a ridiculous obsession and like to freelance as a makeup artist. In my opinion and experience with others, makeup makes you feel better. In fact, Taneil Britton, a professional makeup artist for Cover FX cosmetics, said just yesterday that she has heard so many stories of people who refuse to leave their house because they are embarrassed by some sort of skin problem. When Britton shows them how to use makeup, she really feels that she changes lives and I think that’s just amazing.

How do you feel about makeup? Can you live without it or is it something that completes you every day?

-Amanda Fornecker