Updated: Jan. 28, 2021
Originally Published: July 3, 2016
Recently, my son, in classic 3-year-old style, followed me around the house as I tackled various tasks. Out of the blue, he exclaimed, “Mommy, don’t paint your lips again, OK?”
“Paint my lips?” I asked, puzzled.
“You know, when we went to Grandma’s for Mother’s Day and you painted your lips red? Please don’t do that again.”
I chuckled at his innocent perspective, thinking he pictured me rummaging through our messy arts and crafts supplies to apply actual paint to my lips. Quite a messy image!
His aversion to my lipstick is likely due to his picky nature; this is the same child who gets upset if I slice his bagel into halves instead of quarters. He thrives on routine and any deviation sends him into a tizzy.
This amusing exchange made me realize he has never seen me wear makeup. In fact, he doesn’t even know what it is.
I don’t consciously label myself as a “no makeup mom,” yet that’s exactly what I am. Even before I became a mom, I wasn’t one to pile on cosmetics. Blessed with clear skin, I always thought that adding foundation would only complicate things. In my pre-mom days, when I taught English at the university, I occasionally added a swipe of mascara and lipstick, but even that was hit or miss—mostly because I was 25 and wanted to seem more mature to my college students.
I never really moved past that stage of trying makeup as a teen; it has always felt like dress-up to me.
Now, as a full-time mom and part-time work-at-home parent, makeup seems pointless. I reserve it for rare special occasions, which happen infrequently. I usually wear it when attending events at my older son’s school; at 38, I still feel like a kid walking into his school and a bit of makeup helps me feel more like an adult for a few hours.
Most days, I live in yoga pants and comfy t-shirts or sweaters. A good day is when I manage to shower, let my hair down instead of putting it in a messy bun, and slip on a fresh pair of yoga pants.
Whether at home or out running errands, I maintain this look during trips to the library or the grocery store. I sometimes see other moms at the park or during after-school pick-up, all dressed up with beautiful hair and stylish outfits. I admire their put-togetherness and can’t help but feel a twinge of envy. But I often wonder, “How do they do it?”
Honestly, I struggle just to prepare lunch for myself and sit down to enjoy it. Eating is essential, so I prioritize that, along with feeding my kids, using the bathroom, and getting dressed. I shower because I can’t engage with society otherwise (though not every day). Exercise is vital for my sanity; without my daily dose of endorphins, I would go bonkers. I also can’t ignore a messy house, so I tackle that, too.
My life is so busy that prioritization is crucial; focusing on makeup and appearance is at the very bottom of my list—so low that it rarely makes an appearance at all. If I cared about my appearance as much as I care about clean toilets, maybe it would become a priority. Perhaps I should consider that.
My husband thinks I look great regardless of my appearance (bless him), but I wonder if wearing makeup more often could add a spark to my life. Would it make me feel more lively? Would it help me feel less like my life revolves around my kids?
I suspect that as my children grow older, I’ll find more opportunities to dress up and take care of my appearance. I’ll have more time to shower, apply a bit of mascara, and not worry about a toddler trying to snatch my “paintbrush” from my hand.
For now, I happily embrace being a makeup-free mom. It suits me and, more importantly, my kids—especially my opinionated little one—seem perfectly fine with it.
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Summary:
In this lighthearted reflection, Lisa Thompson shares her experience as a makeup-free mom, revealing how her son’s innocent perception of her lipstick led her to realize that he has never seen her in makeup. She discusses her preference for comfort over cosmetics and how her busy life as a full-time mom leaves little room for beauty routines. Despite occasional envy of other moms who seem effortlessly put together, she embraces her current look and lifestyle, appreciating that it works for her and her family.