As women, we’ve long been conditioned to do our hair and makeup daily. But there’s plenty of reasons to skip the foundation and let your natural beauty shine through. Marla Ahlgrimm says that just four of these are:
1. You’ll save money
If you’ve ever walked into an Ulta or Sephora, you know that makeup is big business. A name-brand foundation can easily set you back $40 or more. Good powder isn’t much less. And considering that makeup should only be kept for six months before hitting the trash bin, it isn’t hard to spend $50 to $100 per month on makeup. Marla Ahlgrimm says this money may be best spent on skincare — moisturizer and gentle cleansers can make your skin look more radiant than any tinted product.
2. You’ll have more time.
It takes time to get your hair and makeup just right. By leaving the cosmetics behind, you can shave half an hour to an hour off your morning routine. The best part is that this extra time means you can sleep in. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that extra sleep is one way to improve your appearance since your body has time to repair when it’s in a deep state of rest.
3. Breakouts may disappear.
Makeup is made up of many ingredients that aren’t found naturally on the skin. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, the oils and solids found in most can clog your pores and create an uneven skin tone. This leads you to wear even more makeup in a cycle that feels tough to end. Say sayonara to Cover Girl for a few weeks and your skin will likely look and feel better than ever.
4. You’ll be more self-confident.
There is nothing wrong with wearing makeup or taking pride in your appearance. But there is also something empowering about not wearing makeup. Marla Ahlgrimm stresses that if you’re wearing makeup to please everyone else, skipping it can help you just be you.
Marla Ahlgrimm has co-authored two ground-breaking books,