My Breakup with Makeup

We all remember our first makeup. The overly sticky sparkly plastic set of something or other as a kid. The first time we got a real makeover at the mall. When we learned to use actual brushes and concealer. I remember my first Covergirl pressed powder; it came in a navy circle case that I proudly displayed in my jeans back pocket like all the other tweens in the 90’s! But now I find myself asking, is it necessary?

I’m not a person who wears a lot of makeup as it is, but when my 8 year old began begging for the day when she could wear makeup I stopped to reevaluate. She decided she wants make up to be grown up. When I asked her if she thought it would make her look pretty, her sassy response was, “Heck no! I’m already beautiful!” Well put tiny lady. So why is it so hard for me to believe that?

I quit wearing makeup late November 2018. I’m not going to lie, it was terrifying. I’m also not going to lie… NO ONE NOTICED! Not one person at work, church or weekend events told me I looked tired, or asked what was wrong. No one said a thing! So either I didn’t do a great job of wearing makeup before, or no one really actually cares! It took about three weeks before I stopped degrading myself each day in the mirror. It took five weeks before I noticed visibly less random acne. And it took almost two full months before my husband asked, “Did you do something different with your hair?” I mean, really! All that self doubt and worry had been for nothing. All the money spent, time applying and reapplying had been for no reason other than my own insecurities!

When I’m stressed during the day I can rub my face without fear of getting makeup all over and if something makes me cry (which doesn’t happen often) I don’t worry about ruining my mascara! It’s just me. This crazy face is what you get!

Sure you see the freckles I’ve worked for years to hide, and the weird brown spot on my chin. And you’ll see my love of caffeine and chocolate in various little zits on my face and where my dirty hair transfers oil to my face. But more importantly you’ll see the laugh lines from years of game nights with my family! You’ll see the two chicken pox scars at the end of my nose, and you’ll see all the freckles I have in common with my parents that I’ve passed on to both of my kids.

So breakup with makeup and just be you!

Marsha Roth
“I’m Marsha, the devoted wife of a Nebraska Husker fan, mother to a sweet laid back 11-year-old boy named Kellen and a 9-year-old spunky know-it-all named Rowen. I am a Kansas City native, proud Northwest Bearcat Alumni, and enthusiastic 4th grade teacher! I enjoy stolen moments where I can read in peace, indulging in chocolate chip cookies whenever possible, tending to my vegetable garden and finding new ways to annoy my daughter! My goal in life is to be my authentic self, follow the motto of ‘She did what she could,’ and share that with other moms!”