The 28 day makeup challenge

Friday, January 30, 2015 Permalink

I don’t wear make up. I’ve mentioned this a few times. The fact is, I can’t wear makeup. Or moisturiser. I start to sweat if I have ANYTHING on my face.

I mean, I sweat anyway and my friends will attest to the fact that I rarely come home from outings with dry hair – which is why I kept it short for so long. The excessive sweating thing is called hyperhidrosis. Some get sweaty palms, others underarms and the like. For me, it’s my head. There’s some medication you can take, but it did little for me.

The facial sweating thing stresses me out and makes me very self-conscious. As a result – in terms of makeup – I’ve really worn only lipstick since the early 1990s.

makeup

I recently mentioned that I introduced my mother to Nikki Parkinson’s Styling You blog over a year ago. I’d sent her a link to a post we’d been discussing and she decided she wanted to read more, so I showed mum how to ‘like’ Nikki’s Facebook page and… the rest is history – and the reason why my cupboards are filled with thin velvet coathangers etc.

The post to which I’d referred mum was one Nikki had written YEARS before about BB Cream. Given my inability-to-wear-stuff-on-my-face I’d skipped the whole BB Cream phenomenon, but when my mother talked about wanting ‘some’ coverage without having to use expensive makeup all of the time, I remembered everyone singing its praises.

Fast forward a day or two and my enthusiastic mother had tried then purchased several (like 10 – cos they were on sale) tubes of Garnier BB Cream. I got one as well. For good measure.

I’ve tried to use it once or twice – when I know I’m going to be in airconditioning or similar and think it might not melt off.

However – having recently read Nikki’s book – I’ve been thinking I need to make more of an effort. And rather than get out of my stretchy PJs ‘home’ wear in which I wallow – day in and day out – I thought I might again try to use the BB Cream. As I understand it, as well as providing ‘some’ coverage for my blemishes* and freckles, it’s actually good for your skin.

So, I’ve decided I’m going to try and push through the face-sweating thing. For a month. I’m setting myself a little February challenge:

For the 28 days of February I will apply BB Cream to my face once a day.

Ta-Da! Obviously if I’m going to the gym or exercising I’ll leave it until I’m home and showered, but EVEN IF I’m just sitting at my desk in my PJs ‘home’ wear I WILL PUT THE CREAM ON. If it slides straight off so-be-it. If it makes me get super-hot, sweaty and irritable, so-be-it. It can slide off my face but at least I’ll have tried. Perhaps my body will develop some sort of immunity or something and will get used to stuff being on my face. Who knows?!

No doubt I’ll let you know how I’m going. In the meantime watch out for despairing, “I’m melting!” tweets.

Do you wear makeup? Often / ever? A full face or just minimal cover?

I’m flogging my blog With Some Grace today.

PS. This post isn’t sponsored by anyone. I’m only using Garnier cos it was the cream I’d heard of! (I possibly don’t even have the right colour, but #whatevs)

* My fingers have never met a zit or spot they didn’t want to squeeze! 🙁

42 Comments
  • Lydia C. Lee
    January 30, 2015

    Only if going out somewhere special…too lazy…

    • Debbish
      January 30, 2015

      Oh I hear ya. I’m at home today and put a bra on. It’s like a miracle or something… 🙂

  • Mystery Case
    January 30, 2015

    I’m guessing Nikki’s post today might be for your benefit? Have you tried mineral makeup?

    • Debbish
      January 30, 2015

      I have and it made no difference to the bloody sweating! Will check out Nikki’s post though!

  • Felicity
    January 30, 2015

    I look forward to hearing how it goes Deb!

    • Debbish
      January 30, 2015

      Maybe I’ll take a leaf out of your book Felicity and start a monthly challenge. March can be… change-out-of-PJs-when-home-all-day month! 🙂

  • mammarajsays
    January 30, 2015

    I come from a family where my mum would never leave the house without make-up. I have to say I am much better than (two kids kills ability to do make-up sometimes!) but still have her voice in the back of my head when I head out with no makeup and spew on my top! Loved your post and your honesty. Anything is worth a whirl hey….?

    • Debbish
      January 30, 2015

      I hope so. Reading Nikki’s book made me realise I was in a bit of a style rut – worse still, I really didn’t care. I must admit I’m kinda hoping that my face somehow gets used to having something on it and I can wear ‘make up’ (even just BB cream) when going out for special occasions!

      Deb

  • Amy @ HandbagMafia
    January 30, 2015

    You know, botox is apparently good for controlling perspiration. Just putting it out there as judging by your photo you don’t need it for the usual reasons! 🙂

    • Debbish
      January 30, 2015

      I know Amy but I’d need to get it ALL around my head and the idea of needles in my scalp freaks me out a little. (Cos I have considered it!!!)

  • Bek Mugridge
    January 30, 2015

    As a mum I have mastered the art of getting ready and doing my make-up & hair in 5 minutes. SUCH a contrast from before kids where I would spend hours before going out doing my hair, picking an outfit and meticulously applying make up!! I do not get out much these days so I choose to wear my nice clothes often, even if it just to Coles!

    • Debbish
      January 30, 2015

      That’s a great attitude Bek – I’m exactly the opposite. Since my seachange I rarely wear anything on my feet other than rubber thongs! I’m a pretty quick dresser too (no make up helps!). I recall (when working and when in the city) I’d don my lipstick on the train enroute into the office. (I’d use the little silver apple symbol on the back of my phone as a mirror!)

  • Pinky Poinker
    January 30, 2015

    I wear makeup every day. I have a sweaty face and head too so I don’t know why I bother.

    • Debbish
      January 30, 2015

      I recall wearing real foundation when I was younger but I could never get the colour right. It’d seem okay but I’d go to the loo when out at a nightclub and my face would look pink and it would be streaking off my face!

  • Char
    January 30, 2015

    I hate wearing make up for much the same reasons as you. But I have no problems with moisturiser. It might be that you haven’t found the right one. I don’t use much and it’s fairly light but I find it makes a difference for my ageing skin.

    • Debbish
      January 30, 2015

      I have a light moisturiser I can use at night Char… though often I have to go to bed and cool down a little (with the fan etc) and then I get up and put some on. I sweat it off my face in summer though recall keeping some in a desk drawer at work once to use when I was sufficiently cooled down etc.

  • OurParallelConnection
    January 30, 2015

    I wear eye makeup because my eyes are sucked (and with kids have dark – very dark rings around them). When I go out I love makeup as it makes me feel prettier (yes a little vain) and younger (ok still vain) But I do love days where I wear nothing too (only I don’t really go out) I would hate to be one of these women who have never shown their husband/partner their real face.

    • Debbish
      January 30, 2015

      Oh I completely agree. I worked with someone a VERY long time ago who used to get up before her husband EVERY DAY to put her makeup on. It was the late 1980s/early 1990s so I’m hoping it was more a sign of the times than anything and hopefully she got more zen about it!

      But I know what you mean about feeling ‘prettier’ with makeup. I used to wear lipstick for work every day but now I use it so rarely it makes me feel like it’s a special occasion or something!

  • annajefferis
    January 30, 2015

    Every day. Mascara since I was 14. Discovered foundation when I was 23 and it was like a miracle. I love the stuff. I also believe it is good sunprotection. So far no sunspots.

    • Debbish
      January 30, 2015

      Ah, that’s great Anna. I think I was an early adopter as well – and recall having Boots No.7 makeup when in late high school. I was never very good at applying it – though even did a course. I like the sun protection thing though (as someone with lots of freckles and moles!!!). I can’t wear suncream on my face for the same reasons I can’t wear makeup, so must check the BB cream I’m using has SPF!

      Deb

  • Bec @ The Plumbette
    January 30, 2015

    I don’t during the week unless I’m going somewhere special. I usually just use BB cream. It will be good to see how this little experiment works and makes you feel. I understand why you haven’t put make up on because of the sweating. My dad would be the same at work- not that he wears make up but sunscreen would drop into his eyes. I wonder if you used a primer as per Nikkis post today whether this would help keep your make up on? Hope you have a great weekend. X

    • Debbish
      January 30, 2015

      Hi Bec and yes, I used to live in contact lenses which meant if I even tried sun cream etc it was a problem if it ran into my eyes!

  • Ms Styling You
    January 30, 2015

    Great post Deb … and how good is your Mum?! Will be interested to hear how the BB Cream goes … from my post today, even popping a primer under the BB will help it stay in place if you want it to.

    • Debbish
      January 30, 2015

      I know, she’s a sweetie (most of the time) – stressing about her today as she’s in Brissy and having an angiogram. Then a stent / balloon if required. I feel like I should be there.

      Anyway, back to me!!!! I do wonder if the primer would make it worse, so I really felt I was wearing something. However the one you recommend today was reasonably priced so I might get some to try!

  • 26 Years and Counting
    January 30, 2015

    I don’t wear make up – sometimes a BB cream but rarely even that. I swear the same one worked for me once but then didn’t the next time. Maybe it was all in my head haha.

  • Tash @ Gift Grapevine
    January 30, 2015

    I was a late adopter to make up. Too many ballet concerts as a youngster had me running from make up and hairspray until I was 18. My morning make up routine takes all of 2 minutes. Sunscreen, foundation, concealer and blush. I’m really fair skinned so find that make up gives me a bit of colour so I don’t look like a ghost! I get my eyelashes tinted so that’s one less thing to worry about. Just started trialling bright lipsticks – never had the balls before but find that a bright lip does perk my mood up. Best of luck with the BB challenge – can’t wait to see how you go!

    • Debbish
      January 30, 2015

      I actually like bright lipsticks Tash and have often worn them to take the attention away from my blemishes and pimples! 😉

      And yes, I know what you mean about the ballet stuff – and it was applied very generously from memory. No foundation in general – just bright red lips, bright blue eyeshadow, red rouge and mascara! Ugh!

  • Malinda (@MBPaperPackages)
    January 30, 2015

    I am pretty minimal on makeup, I have a BB cream, some mascara and a few lipglosses at my disposal but leave it pretty simple more days than not. If any. I hope it works out well for you at the end of the month, whether you decide that it works or not.

  • Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me
    January 30, 2015

    I’m trying to get a big sharper with my dressing and makeup. Nikki has a great video on her blog today about something called primer which helps us sweaty Queenslanders keep out makeup on. GO YOU! x

    • Debbish
      January 30, 2015

      Yes, I saw that Emily! I’ve never used it but the name makes me think of putty and I have visions of applying it with a trowel! 😉

  • Eva @ The Multitasking Mummy
    January 30, 2015

    I’m a HUGE fan of BB cream and although I rarely wear makeup because I work from home or I’m hanging out with my 3 year old, it’s just the right coverage if I need to use it without feeling like I have a face full of makeup. I remember before kids wearing makeup every day to work, my skin was crap! Not wearing make up as often has totally changed that. I’ve found the L’Oreal BB cream really good and not as oily and heavy as some.

    • Debbish
      January 30, 2015

      Oh, thanks for the trip re the Loreal BB Cream!

      Deb

  • ERF Mama
    January 31, 2015

    Great post. 😀
    I don’t use much if any make-up. I might do for special occasions but I find that I have no where to keep it safe from small hands haha, so I have just not bothered for a good long while. 🙂
    I also find it just takes….to much time. :p

    • Debbish
      January 31, 2015

      Ah yes, little hands and time – always a problem!!!

      Deb

  • EssentiallyJess
    February 1, 2015

    I love BB cream! I just switched to another brand (can’t remember what it is), and it’s beautiful. I’ve got quite a bit of pigment, and it evens it out really nicely.

    • Debbish
      February 1, 2015

      Today was day 1 Jess and I used Garnier but don’t think it has sun protection. I must check that out!

      • EssentiallyJess
        February 2, 2015

        I checked and it’s a Loreal brand. A little more expensive, but I got it on sale so it was comparable. It’s SPF 15 which is not the best but still better than nothing.

        • Debbish
          February 2, 2015

          Oh thanks Jess! Will check it out.

  • Jess
    February 5, 2015

    I am a big fan of BB. I use garnier I believe too, shows how much I pay attention. I like it because it has sunblock and is good for blemishes. It can be quite thick so I often thin it out with a light oil free moisturizer. Nikki had a post on melting faces, she did a vlog, which I didn’t watch but from the comments I think her trick was primer first. 🙂

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