My closet is evolving...and so my makeup! Anyone else notice this?

I noticed something really interesting this week: as my closet and style have evolved this past year, I've noticed my makeup has too. Perhaps this isn't anything unusual, as they are parts that comprise the whole. BUT... I do find it fascinating. I quit trying so hard with my clothes to achieve a certain "look" and just went with my gut and heart. And out came this bohemian look I had been hiding for some time.

I also noticed as I tried less hard with my clothes and style, I found myself trying less hard with my makeup on a daily basis. I used to wear a lot of makeup, precisely applied - black liner, bold lips, full blush, full layer of foundation, and the like. But I notice now that it actually feels overwhelming and artificial. This summer I found myself going for more natural looks: a little beachy, a little Bardot. Nothing overly intense or perfect. Yesterday, for "summer but it feels like fall" look, I did concealer, rosy cheeks, mascara, and a little bronzer in 5 minutes. (This, from a girl who used to take almost an hour on her makeup!) This winter I am still looking forward to rosy cheeks and lips, but less intense and high-maintenance.

This probably isn't all that unusual for many YLF'ers. But it is a change for me.
Anyone else notice their makeup changing recently due to life situations, style changes, etc.? Or do you find that your overall makeup style has remained the same?

11 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I think it's the shift towards who you feel the most comfortable being ... and YLF has really helped me do that too!

For me, it's kind of been the opposite of you, but mainly due to pressures at work and having to look professional. It's surprising myself, but I definitely do like it. I've definitely added more things to my AM routine, but not all of it is makeup. I added stretches

Anonymous

I've definitely noticed a shift too - I assume in my case it has more to do with being that much older every year:) Less makeup, (although my inner MUA busts out from time to time - like this morning, for example). Back to short hair, fewer accessories.

Your new boho inspired look definitely works better with easier makeup - and you intuitively went that way!

rachylou

Heh. I have no more than 30 minutes between waking and key-in-the-ignition. And that includes taking the dog out. And I don't get 7 hours of sleep, which is the minimum that you're supposed to get, right? How do you guys do it?

But to answer the question, I have been trying to do a CC cream in the morning. To be quite honest, I don't know what a CC cream is. I was thinking it was a little more than a tinted moisturizer, but looking at packages again, I'm not so sure.

In any case, that's a complete doubling of effort on my part. I'm the 3-in-1-girl. One stick, one colour, for lipstick, blush, and eyes. Occasionally eyeliner.

I think it's my commute. I feel like sitting in traffic in the car is bad for my complexion and I feel a need to try something...

Suzanne (ambergreen)

This makes perfect sense! In my case, though, I actually went through a makeup frenzy before any evolution of clothing. This means that any style shifts I'm having are kind of already covered with the makeup collection. (Makeup cart before the clothes horse? :D) However, I have definitely started to think more about warm golds for fall as opposed to the icier or cool shades I've been into for a while as we look toward adding more browns to the palette.

Aida

Makes sense! You want the whole look to jive; a boho look with a very made up face may not harmonize. There's also the aspect of getting to you, allowing yourself to shine. Early on at YLF I actually went the other way, from no make up to minimal make up (mascara and lip color, that's it). It is just the amount of polish I need to complete my primarily casual look.

Windchime

Yes. For the past twenty years, I wore no make up except lip gloss; last month I started using a foundation to even out my rosacea complexion and some brow powder because my eyebrows are fading. For me, it's all related to my decision to try to "improve" my style, which was the impetus for joining YLF. This site should come with a warning: "Participation in YLF may change your life."

Beth Ann

My makeup routine varies with the season mostly, with more glow and a lighter touch in summer, and a bit more depth and definition in fall/winter. It sounds like you are feeling released and free, but still enjoying the look that makeup gives you. Seems positive to me!

cheryle (Dianthus)

I have gotten to the point that I wear almost no make-up unless I am going to an event and even then it is minimal. I think it works for my more casual simple style. It sounds like your new routine works better with your new style too.

Von

I have been focusing more on making my skin beautiful on it's own rather than fixing issues with makeup. I don't think I've worn makeup since Wednesday when I was in the office, and I don't feel self conscious about it either. I think it all started early this summer when I dropped the mascara from the daily routine because of allergies. Gradually, I'm going to end up dropping everything but eyeliner some days...Lord knows I love my Urban Decay 24/7 liners! LOL

Hil

I think I have become a bit more conscious of how my make up plays with my outfit since joining YLF.

More importantly and life changing was a post I read here - wish I could remember who posted it - on oil cleansing. I had never heard of this, but after reading the post and doing a bit of googling, I decided to give it a go. The difference with the first wash was noticeable and within days, my problem skin began to clear. I have been doing this now, quite religiously, for more than 7 months and my skin has never looked better. I did get a little lazy a few weeks ago - I ran out of oil and hadn't bought any more and went back to using a commercial cleanser and my skin broke out so badly. Enormous cysts on my chin. Within a day or two of reverting to my oil, the cysts started clearing and healing.

Keturah

Wow girls, just getting caught up on YLF now and loved reading all your experiences and preferences!

Lyn, I love morning stretches Nothing wakes me up and puts my body all in place like a good stretch!

lisap, I'm told wearing a lot of makeup can add years, and I have seen that to be true. I'm more and more going for bohemian and Bardot. It does work lovely with the boho styles I wear. But it's also just less makeup, less fuss.

racheylou, you always make me laugh with your wit ! I went on less sleep this summer, but only make it so long before I crash. So I must have 8 hr sleep. But I am usually up fairly early in mornings, too. I think your makeup sounds streamlined and perfect. I'm over complicated makeup myself. I used one lipstick for everything this summer and loved it.

ambergreen, I've never liked icy or cool shades for my eyes, other than the occasional use of grey or taupe. Otherwise, I like neutral and warm shades for my eyes.

Aida, I really feel the less a girl uses, the best. Less makeup looks younger, fresher. And it's faster.

windchime, I love this so much: "This site should come with a warning: "Participation in YLF may change your life." It's so very true!

bethann, same here. I change my colors for the seasons. Summer is corals, beachy, and bronzy. Winter I switch to rosy red blush, mauve, plum. I always do black-brown liner and warmer shades of shadow. I do feel very free!! I've also been doing the whole smudgy black liner thing. My hair stylist told me it makes puffy eyes look glorious. And she's right. I'm wearing it this morning too.

dianthus, my mum wears no makeup ever. She looks really lovely without it. As do you.

Von, eyeliner is a new love for me. Some days I don't use it, but I'll still use my mascara wand to really get into roots for some definition similar to eyeliner.

Hil, okay, funny enough I'm using coconut oil to cleanse with these days. I've noticed I no longer have extremely oily skin, stubborn blackheads are disappearing, and my skin feels calmer. I can't do the hot washcloth. (I have thin skin and it seems to exacerbate my broken capillaries around my nose.) My compromise is to use remove the oil with Pond's cleansing clothes - still get some exfoliation without the heat. It works well and I'm much happier. I haven't spoken with my aesthetician about it yet. She's not for her clients using cleansing clothes and washcloths. (I think perhaps because it can pull a lot on the skin if one is overzealous with it.) But I'm curious to see what she says.

I still have to use my benzoyl peroxide cream, moisturizer, and eye cream. But everything else is a lot happier.

Category