Beauty/ Fashion

Bye Bye Comfort Zone (Why I stopped wearing makeup)!

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“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” -Neale Donald Walsch 

The definition of a comfort zone is “a place or situation where one feels safe or at ease and without stress.” Comfort zones help us feel comfortable, cozy, and content. It’s easy to do what we do in life and then just keep doing it again and again. The same work schedule followed by the same dinners with the same people, watching the same shows, driving the same way to work, wearing the same clothes, and doing our makeup the exact same way. Sounds a little boring, right? You guys know I’m all about a good routine, but sometimes it’s important to mix things up. And that’s just what I did. About a month ago I decided to jump out of my comfort zone… I decided to stop wearing makeup.

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Back in high school, my mum set me up for a consolation at the Clinique counter at our local mall. I got a free lip stick just for coming in to get a makeover. Why not?? I was 16 at the time and I was excited to start wearing more than just eye liner. I bought Clinique concealer, foundation, blush, bronzer, and mascara… the works! I left feeling like a new person! 

Fast forward 5 years and I’m still wearing the same products (new ones of course!) from Clinique. I realize now that somewhere along the way, makeup became essential for me. I wouldn’t leave the house without it. I felt pretty with my face done, and ugly without it. I was kind of addicted. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that makeup is bad, but I’ve recently discovered that there’s a huge difference between enjoying makeup and needing it!

So, about a month ago I decided to stop wearing face makeup. I still wear a little eye liner or mascara and sometimes lipstick if I’m feeling fancy, but I no longer have “flawless” skin. The truth is I never had flawless skin. But I was done pretending that I did. The first few days of my challenge were just that, a challenge. I wondered, is everyone looking at me? Do I look gross? Can they see all my blemishes? All my crazy little questions proved to me that a ‘makeup free’ month was EXACTLY what I needed.

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As the weeks went on I began to feel more comfortable in my own skin. I realized that, although my skin is far from “perfect,” that’s totally okay. Believe it or not, I feel SO much more confident without makeup now than I ever thought possible! I actually like not hiding behind “flawless” skin.

So for today’s post, I want to encourage you to step outside your comfort zone. Do something you never thought you could. Don’t doubt yourself, JUST DO IT! Go a week (or a month!) without makeup, eat totally plant based for 30 days (my mum still thinks I’m crazy), start running or playing tennis or riding a bike. Read that book on your shelf, don’t use heat on your hair, wear something that’s more comfortable than it is fashionable. Stop caring what everyone else thinks and STEP OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE.

Filter free, foundation free, concealer free, bronzer free, and happy... with the bestie! <3

Filter free, foundation free, concealer free, bronzer free, and happy… with the bestie! <3

Trust me. It’ll be hard at first, but you’ll be glad you did. And in case you were wondering, no, I don’t plan to go back to makeup anytime soon. My skin is clearing up, my confidence is increasing, and I’m learning that being real is far more important than looking “perfect.”

xoxo Cailee!

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12 Comments

  • Reply Kristy @ Southern In Law

    LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this! I rarely wear makeup and sometimes I feel self-conscious, however, I’ve realised that we’re not SUPPOSED to be perfect!

    One thing I’ve started doing with my girlfriends is girls nights where we’re not allowed to wear any makeup, all come in comfy clothes and just hang out and enjoy time together. I figure it’s one way to show a little self-love – but also to show how friends need to be real with one another!

    May 20, 2016 at 12:30 am
    • Reply Cailee

      Kristy that sounds amazing!! What a fun weekend sleepover idea!! So sweet! …and thanks for your kind words girlie!! You’re SO right, who said we HAD to have “flawless” skin all the time anyways?!!

      May 29, 2016 at 2:39 pm
  • Reply Ami@NaiveCookCooks

    Omg I love this!! I was never into wearing makeup and even now since I work from home, the only time I wear makeup is if I am with lotso f people. But now on a 10 day trip yesterday I decided not to wear any makeup yesterday and felt so good! Thanks for this, I am so going to do this more now!!

    May 20, 2016 at 3:10 pm
    • Reply Cailee

      You go Ami!! Thanks for your kind words!! And I hope that you’re having an amazing weekend!!

      May 29, 2016 at 2:25 pm
  • Reply Beverley @ Born to Sweat

    awww I love this girl!! Good for you. Honestly, I WISH more females thought like you. I see so many girls (especially in Toronto) covered in make up and it’s never a good look in my opinion. Meanwhile you look confident, beautiful and happy! Keep doing you, you’re gorgeous xx

    May 20, 2016 at 5:22 pm
    • Reply Cailee

      Thanks SO much Beverley! You’re so sweet! <3

      July 27, 2016 at 9:08 pm
  • Reply Michele @ Two Raspberries

    love this post girl! you are gorgeous! I am the same when it comes to make-up, it’s been about 2 years since I stopped wearing a bunch of crap on my face lol 😉 now days I wear a very light brushing of powder and mascara and I feel so much better and less weighed down almost, ya know?! I feel best in my natural skin but on days when I need a little coverage that’s it! p.s. love the quote too it’s one of my favorites! happy weekend chicka!

    May 21, 2016 at 7:00 pm
    • Reply Cailee

      Thanks Michele!! And I totally agree with ya! I’m not a makeup hater in the least, I just think it has to be worn the RIGHT way! Not too much 🙂 Sounds like you’re doing it SO right!!!

      May 29, 2016 at 2:24 pm
  • Reply Claire at My Pink & Green Life

    You are gorgeous, Cailee! I recently stopped wearing makeup too and was super uncomfortable at first because I don’t have perfect skin by a long stretch. Now that I’m in the habit of going makeup-free, though, I feel a lot more confident because I’m not afraid of rain or accidentally wiping my face. All the power to you, girlfriend! xx

    May 21, 2016 at 10:28 pm
    • Reply Cailee

      Awww! Thanks so much Claire! And YES! I hear ya, I’ve gotten so used to being able to wipe my face and now worry about smudging everything!! And yay for natural confidence!! You go girl!!

      May 29, 2016 at 2:13 pm
  • Reply Ashley@CookNourishBliss

    I love this post Cailee! I’ve stopped wearing makeup a few times a week to give my skin a breather … and my skin is thanking me for it! Now I just need to go out more when I don’t have anything on!! haha Baby steps 🙂

    May 26, 2016 at 3:39 pm
    • Reply Cailee

      Thanks Ashley! And good for you! I’m totally not a makeup hater and I’m sure I’ll be wearing it again sometime… but I just wanted to challenge myself to go without it for a little while! I think your approach is great! And go for it girl!

      May 29, 2016 at 2:11 pm

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