Look Ma, no makeup!
The Beauty Bean (love them) has started a campaign called Makeup Free Mondays with the goal of inspiring appreciation for real and natural beauty.
I was so excited when I heard about the idea because I believe self-love and acceptance has the power to change the world, or at least how we feel about our place in it.
Interested?
There are 6 simple ways to get involved:
1. Don’t wear makeup on Mondays (or use less for those who need to do this in baby steps).
2. Stop apologizing for not wearing makeup, no matter what day of the week it is.
3. Organize official Makeup Free Mondays at your school, place of employment or with your friends.
4. Encourage conversations about real beauty and better body image within your own families and friendships.
5. Share your makeup free photos with The Beauty Bean via Facebook and on Twitter with the hash tag #MakeupFreeMondays.
6. Donate unopened and unexpired makeup to your local women’s shelter, Dress for Success chapter or similar women’s program. Though The Beauty Bean focuses on inner beauty, we know that the confidence a polished look can give is something all women deserve.
Never one to shy away from buckets of concealer or 4 coats of blackest black mascara, I struggled with the idea of facing the world fresh-faced. While my participation in this movement wasn’t a “Gone Wild” assignment, it very well could have been. This is the kind of exposure and vulnerability I openly fear and therefore, just had to join in.
So here I am world, focusing on the inside this fine Monday morning and making no apologies. I’m not sorry for my freckles or uneven skin tone, instead I’m choosing to be thankful to my parents for my blue eyes and orthodontia. Today, instead of feeling self-conscious I feel surprisingly brave and liberated; emotions I never saw coming.
Join the movement and love yourself for the real beauty you are!
How do you feel about the Makeup Free Monday campaign? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
MOMMYFRIEND 
Oh, is THAT why I forgot to put makeup on this morning! I’m so aware. 🙂
I’m so impressed you did a close up!
You look beautiful au natural’! 🙂 Love it.I dont wear a lot of make up but like you said I am big on mascara and concealer… especially when I dont get lots of sleep the night before
You look great, Lori! I struggle with trying to go makeup free. I’ll let you know if I give it another try one of these days! 😉
love this idea and campaign! i’ve often thought that we should all post make-up free pics of us on our blogs…and I’m so pleased to find that someone has actually inspired others to do it!
You are gorgeous…and look fabulous without makeup. You. Go.
If I looked like you, I would be able to go without makeup.
Since I do not, well… you can draw your own conclusions 🙂
Go Lori! So cute….I don’t think I’ve seen you so au natural since high school. 🙂
You are gorgeous, Lori! Loved that you participated in this. What a fantastic cause and positive message!!-Francesca
You are gorgeous! It’s funny I posted a make up free photo of myself today not knowing of “Makeup Free Monday”.LOVE your freckles 🙂
You look BEAUTIFUL!!!!!