I am a 19 year old female and have not let anyone see my naked face since I was 14. My friends have probably forgotten what I look like without makeup. My family only recently started seeing me without makeup because I started taking it off before bed (skin professionals please don’t attack me!) I see my bare face, I think that is insufficient and that it should be covered. I wouldn’t go out in public without makeup even if someone paid me $ 1,000. It’s not even that I have skin issues, I don’t really like my features. I have sparse eyebrows, especially around the tails, so I fill them in every day. I also don’t like the shape of my eyes, sometimes they are hooded and sometimes more round. They just look weird and dull. I always apply mascara every time I leave the house. I especially hate how I look in the morning. My eyes are getting EXTREMELY puffy and I look pretty ugly. Due to the pandemic, I spent my first year in college online. I’m probably going to sleep with someone in my sophomore year, and instead of thinking about the beautiful experiences I will have in person in college, I’m actually anxious that my future roommate will see me without makeup. I’m thinking about getting my eyebrows dyed and possibly getting eyelash extensions so that she never sees me completely naked. I know many young women suffer from self esteem issues, but I believe mine are quite serious. By the way, while I portray makeup as a way to hide myself and my insecurities, I actually appreciate its vibrant colors and how many others see it as more than a hobby; it is their life. However, I was wondering if others have gone through the same thing and got over it somehow.
Omg you’re describing me!
For me, the hardest, but most self awakening thing do was to go somewhere totally non “makeup friendly” and just go bare faced. So I went to the gym! This was HUGE for me, I used to play a D1 college sport and did my makeup before EVERY practice (I’d literally wake up at 4:30 am to do it).
When I first went, I felt so much anxiety walking through the doors. And I would be lying if I said that it had completely subsided before I left, because it didn’t. But I kept doing it, over and over again. And it did get easier! Then I would start wearing less makeup to the drug store, or to grocery shop- I’d wear less going places that I knew I wouldn’t run into people I know, and slowly rolled that into my everyday life. (/ side note: something to consider Is I was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, and the ways I chose to overcome my makeup insecurities paralleled my desire to fight social anxiety in the butt (constant fear of judgement was the worst thought for me). If you feel like this could be you, maybe consider talking to a professional! Even if you don’t think social anxiety is to blame, they’re great listeners and help sort out a lot of internal thoughts. )
For me, exposure to what scared me most was the best way to get over my personal insecurities. It’s terrifying to do, but you can do it!
Now, I just started a new job in January and wear only mascara! That’s huge for me! I’m a nurse, and at my old job I would literally do the half face makeup job so I wouldn’t smudge my mask.
Do things that scare you! You’re beautiful and don’t ever need to feel like you’re hiding behind makeup. Sorry this was a lot! I felt passionate to make sure nobody feels so reliant on makeup, like I did! You’re so much more than makeup! Smile, give yourself credit! You’re beautiful
I was the same way when I was your age! You’re very young and still kind of a stranger to your own adult face (if that makes sense) and the more people you meet and life you go through, you’ll eventually realize just how much other’s perceptions of your beauty really do not matter. You’re in an Insta Age, constantly holding yourself up to filters and physical impossibilities…the best thing for it is mingling on campus, enjoying the realness & true textures of fellow humans. Try to focus outward. You’ll see!
Hopefully you are able to work past this before you’re married because it’s just unrealistic then
***Thank you for contributing to MUA! If this is your first post, please be sure to check out our rules in the subreddit sidebar. If you are on mobile, they can be viewed by tapping the*** ⓘ ***symbol***
**A few quick highlights:**
• If you are posting a look, haul, or flatlay, please be sure to include a [product list, complete with shade names within 20 minutes of posting.](https://www.reddit.com/r/MakeupAddiction/wiki/productlist)
• Also, please ensure your pictures are not [edited or filtered. This includes automatic beauty modes found on many phones and newer cameras.](https://www.reddit.com/r/MakeupAddiction/wiki/photoediting)
• Lastly, our [Helpful Guides for Navigating MUA](https://www.reddit.com/r/MakeupAddiction/wiki/helpfulguides) in the sidebar explains some of the basics of the community as well as commonly misinterpreted rules.
**Is your post just a search away?**
Before you make a post, search with Reddit’s search feature or use this handy [customised Google search.](https://cse.google.com/cse?cx=008480394191906358284:aflieg73nqm)
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MakeupAddiction) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I felt this way when I was in middle school and early high school. My bad skin was the cause of a lot of it, but I was also just generally insecure.
One thing I didn’t realize until years later is…. I pretty much looked the same to everyone else whether or not I had makeup on. I felt like it made an enormous difference and people would think I was ugly if I didn’t put on some basic makeup first but I don’t think people would have had a second thought about it.
I also had the realization that I don’t judge others about the same stuff I’d judge myself for. I barely notice when my SO or friends have blemishes or other imperfections. I think my girl friends are just as pretty with or without makeup. Try to treat yourself like you’d treat other people.