So. Let’s talk about makeup for a second. We all have that one item that we feel we can’t live without, right? Many will probably say mascara, a few will say concealer, maybe there’s even some foundation-onlys in the house. For me, that one item has been bronzer. I am a self-proclaimed bronzer-a-holic, and have been since high school. I remember buying the huge Sephora bronzer disc thing, and applying it like it was my job. Like, seriously. The day I discovered bronzer was a life-changer, you guys. My eyes were opened. It’s like I saw the light, no joke. This pale white girl was transformed into a bronze goddess! Who knew! And ever since (we’re talking 8+ years) I have pretty much worn the stuff every. single. day. Contouring! Shadowing! Making me look way tanner on my face than I knew was possible! Getting all over my white tops’ collars! And, of course, the handful of unfortunate instances when I would forget to tan my body and thus ended up with Mismatched Tan Face/Pale Neck Syndrome. It happens.
Well, last night I stumbled upon an article written by a favorite blogger that goes by the name of nat the fat rat (I’m sure you’ve heard of her; if not, please to run over to her blog and fall in love- I know you will) in which she proclaimed the end of bronzer! She called it her “beauty crutch” and a light clicked in my head: it’s my beauty crutch too! I rely on the stuff, and wouldn’t dream of leaving the house without it! Well, I liked what she said so much that I proclaimed to myself, “Self! Enough with the bronzer already!” And thus begins my own little beauty experiment: I am ceasing with my usage of bronzer for a week. Who knows, maybe my life will in fact be changed, as Natalie claims. Maybe, just maybe, I won’t feel the incessant urge to turn back to my beloved bronzer. Today is day one with no bronzer, and I already feel liberated! It’s empowering! My face doesn’t look half bad without the orangey stuff all over it! You can actually tell that I have pretty blush on! And my eyes, they’re popping! I love when my eyes pop! So, you guys, my question to you is this: What is YOUR beauty crutch, and do you think you could go a week without it? Who wants to join me? It’ll be fun. And scary. But (hopefully) mostly fun. And, hopefully, we’ll maybe even learn a thing or two about ourselves from this, who knows.
xo
p.s. Read the article that inspired this post HERE!
Kelsey Lenay
Mismatched Tan Face/Pale Neck Syndrome happens to the best of us… haha. My beauty crutch might have to be concealer, because I have unreal heridtary under eye circles. Or, powder, because of my oily skin. I don’t know how I would go without either, since they are like the essentials of what I wear! I think I could go a week without eyeliner though : D Let’s not get too impressed about it! haha
Kelsey Lenay
Hereditary I meant!
Katie Did What
Ooh girl, I am with you on the concealer! It is a must!
xo
Jen
My beauty crutch is eyeliner…I haven’t used it for the last few weeks and I love it. :)
Katie Did What
Isn’t it freeing?!
xo
Katie Smith
Mine is mascara! Love that stuff! What a great post and you look lovely! http://ktandcamsmith.blogspot.com/
Katie Did What
Ugh, I’m obsessed with mascara too! I use like 3 coats, at least.
xo
Katie @ Loverly She
Girl, embrace the paleness! looks good on you :)
oh man, my crutch would be my under-eye concealer… and there’s no way I’m going without that, haha!! not brave enough… yet.
I have been following your posts about your mum – it must be so hard but I hope you are keeping well in spirit through this difficult time. she sounds like an amazing lady. xx
Katie Did What
Thanks, girl! And I agree on the concealer- it is a must! Thank you for your sweet words about my mum! She is lovely :)
xo
Stitchingupastorm
Hey Katie!
I actually don’t wear makeup at all! It isn’t that I think there is anything inherently wrong with makeup, but I just don’t want to become so dependent on it that I don’t feel comfortable in my own skin, you know? :)
Yay for you for trying out some new looks! :)
<3
Katie Did What
Ahh that’s amazing! Good job on the no makeup! :) I love what you said, too- there’s nothing more empowering than feeling comfortable in your own skin!
xo
Courtney
I think my crutch is eyeshadow. I spend so much time blending it all to get just the right look. This week I was actually so sick of spending so much time on it that all I did was sweep one solid light color over my lids & called it quits. So I kind of did this challenge without even knowing it =) And guess what? I didn’t look as ugly as I thought I would hahaha
Katie Did What
Ahhh I LOVE eyeshadow!! But yes, one solid color looks really nice, too. Yay for doing this challenge without knowing it!
xo
Kori
This is a great idea! I think my crutch is mascara – I don’t look right wearing any eye makeup without it. I’d give it up, but I’d have to get out all my bright lipsticks for a week and do the minimalist thing! xxx
Katie Did What
Ugh, YES, mascara is pretty much the best invention ever! At least 3 coats are necessary. ;)
xo
Alyssa Joy
I never go without at least a little mascara. First makeup I ever wore, now my eyes just feel tiny and sleepy without it! This is a great challenge though, here goes nothing!
Katie Did What
YES, mascara is the best!! That would be a hard one to quit! Let me know how it goes, girl!!
xo
Paige Brown
My beauty crutch is definitely powder. I don’t think I could go without it either! Maybe I could go for the “dewey” look, but I’m positive that I would just end up looking like a shiny humid mess (from Texas).
P.S. Love your hair- length and all! :)
Katie Did What
hahaha NO, I highly doubt that you would look like a mess. I think “dewey” is the right word. ;)
xo
Drama Queens Mum (Kimberly)
I think you look great without it. I’m really pale & actually like that. I guess for me it’s eye shadow & lipstick that I won’t leave the house without. Also I have really dark circles, so I use Neutrogena under eye cover up.
Katie Did What
Aw thank you, girl!! Yay for embracing our paleness!
xo
Abby
My beauty crutch is definitely a toss up between eyeliner & mascara. I don’t care what else I’ve got going on, I’ve got to have kohl black liner on my water line and mascara on my lashes. Maybe I’ll try to give up one of them for a week but I don’t know…I think my eyes look weird without eyeliner! And not to mention it makes me look like I’m 15 instead of 28 which is really inconvenient when you try to order a glass of wine with dinner….
Katie Did What
hahaha oh girl, everyone always thinks I’m in high school, too, so I feel you on that one! And mascara is really pretty by itself, with no eyeliner! You should try it- you might be surprised! :)
xo
Lauren
You look good with out the bronzer, fresh faced.I think mine is a pony tail holder. I used to always have one on my wrist and on the stick shift of my car. Whenever I got tired of my hair, up it went. I’m trying to leave my hair down more and those little rubber bands aren’t good for your hair either.
I’m starting to become obsessed with tinted moisturizer. It’s awesome.
Katie Did What
I have a pony tail holder on my wrist more times than not! You never know when you need to whip up all that hair off your face- I totally understand. And yes to the tinted moisturizer. That stuff is the best.
xo
Sarah @ Scissors and a Whisk
Girl you’re gorgeous, shut up. You don’t need bronzer lol.
My beauty crutch would have to be blush and mascara. I can’t join you on this experiment though. I’d look ridiculous without it lol.
Katie Did What
haha thanks girlfriend. Yeah, mascara is a must, for sure!!
xo
Kristen
i love bronzer, it adds so much warmth to your face
Katie Did What
ugh I do too!!! But I definitely needed a break from it :)
xo
Katie
You go, girl! Hmmm I think I would have to say mine is possibly foundation & concealer. I have to cover up ALL the flaws and breakouts like goodness knows I have plenty of them. And eye liner is one of my can’t live withouts. I just don’t look good without it.
I could go without makeup I think pretty easily(although foundation would be super hard) but I just really would not want to lol
Katie Did What
I am with you on concealer!! That stuff is necessary under my eyes! And I don’t believe you that you don’t look good without eyeliner.
xo
Katie
Also, I’ve never worn bronzer in my life. My whole family is just pretty darn pale and doesn’t tan easily plus where we live, I’d probably end up looking like a freak if I tried haha
Katie Did What
haha yeah, bronzer is a tricky thing. You have to use the right color/right amount, otherwise it can be a train wreck!
xo