The Beauty Experiment - Would You Do This?

I have actually only just started occasionally wearing simple makeup after YEARS (over a decade) of wearing absolutely none unless I was on stage.

I don't spend money on haircuts - I cut my own hair.
I color it using Light Mountain henna - $6 a box at Whole foods, one box treates my short hair twice, color lasts for six weeks, so round off to $50 a year on hair color.

I buy ELF makeup, and spend maybe $50 a year replenishing items when I run out.

So my "beauty budget" is about $100 a year.

I wouldn't personally go a whole year without wearing makeup, because sometimes I just really enjoy the process of putting on makeup and the anticipation of "getting ready". If I'm getting ready for something fun I love to have a cocktail in the bathroom and just take my time :)

But I also slap some makeup on every morning for work and that gets old. When I have my breaks I go almost entirely makeup free (except for "occasions" like Christmas eve and Christmas day) I love it. Last summer I think I wore makeup only twice for a wedding and a baby shower.

So, I could give it up for the day to day but I wouldn't wanna forfeit those occasions where it is fun to get prettied up to do something special.

I've never worn much make up. I wear lipstick and have worn blush and cologne in the past. I use gel, deodorant and lipstick now. That's it. When I had hair on my legs and underarms I did shave using shaving cream. I really don't see the big deal about wearing make up. I've not been treated differently than my friends and colleagues because I wasn't wearing make up.

I would guess that I roughly spend less than $200/per year on make up and in the past color, and haircuts now. I do sometimes think I want to wear make up and buy mascara and foundation. Never stick with it. The $200 includes averaging those periods of time into what I actually spend each year.

I wear makeup daily, get my hair highlighted and cut every 6 weeks, get my face waxed (brows, upper lip, chin) every two months, and use that special kind of $20 shampoo and conditioner for cold treatments (which has made a huge difference in my hair's health and shine, color notwithstanding). I love jewelry, clothes, shoes, the whole shebang. I probably spend around close to $1500-2000/year on "beauty" related things, not including clothes. I am 100% okay with it. What a lot of women don't acknowledge or recognize is that this IS a form of female empowerment, it is NOT simply bending to societal expectations and male ideals to feel good and look good. Feeling good about myself is worth every penny. Sure, it comes from the inside primarily, but getting help with my dark circles on the outside makes me smile a little wider and just feel better able to face the world. I am a teacher and I deal with 10 and 11-year olds, parents, and other staff, and I can tell you, looking the part commands respect and I have thrived as a result of my efforts.

We only get one body and one face, why not make it the best it can be, of our choosing, and enjoy our inner and outer beauty?

I'm not personally comfortable with the vibe a totally naked face sends. Especially since I'm 42 and simply look exhausted/depressed with no mascara at all. My mom is extremely religious and ant-make-up and always "urges" me not to wear any, and I remind her that where she lives it's normal but in NYC in the garment industry (where I lived/wotked at the time) you just look worn-out and strange like that. My best friend and I still joke like, "The UPS guy came to the door and I had mole eyes!" A bit of foundation and a touch of each thing makes me feel more awake and ready to deal with day. I also find others completely bare-faced to be intentionally sending a granola or academic vibe, which is fine, but not for me. I like to try to look a bit put together and sort of "pretty" if possible. I color my own hair, paint my own toenails, wax, etc. In the past when I've been earning good salaries, I'd splurge on nice make-up, on other tougher years, just the drug store basics and I don't spend much. Depends. I think if people want to be totally make-up free, more power to them, but make-up has beautified women of every culture for centuries. I like it!

No way... Even though I work from home, I feel better and I am more productive when I get dressed and have my hair and makeup done. I like to be ready to go meet a client or lunch etc if needed at a moment's notice.

From getting into the shower until ready to walk out the door, I take about 40 -45 minutes which includes the routine of my moisturizers all over. I let my hair air dry until I am about ready to go to minimize any heat so it takes less than 5 minutes to dry. My hair does not require styling because of my Native American heritage so some would call me Pocahontas, LOL but my hair is not that long. It's long (straight cut falls just below bra strap in back) and dark.

I don't wear a lot of makeup.. probably takes 5 minutes to do it. I spend more time on the moisturizers, anti aging stuff than the makeup. I am faithful in my routine morning and night.

I always get my hair done which is a trim and one step color every 8-10 weeks at $200 including a nice tip.

If I count up all my makeup and moisturizers (all Clinique), all special lotions, shampoo, conditioner, including hair salon trips.... I can come up with about $3000 a year.

That said.. I do not do spa days, mani/pedis, etc... just not into those.

I typically do not buy a lot of clothes every year either. Probably less than $500 in 2012 and that is stretching it.

I don't wear costume jewelry... I only wear my wedding rings, watch and diamond stud earrings. So $0.00 spent on jewelry, etc

Neat question!!

It's got to be a very small percentage that spends that much. Think Real Housewives types. I'm higher than most people on here mainly bc I get my hair professionally highlighted several times a year and even I'm well under $2k. I don't wear a lot of make-up but work in a corporate setting so always wear mascara and my lips keep getting paler with age so now I wear a light lipstick or gloss. It's interesting how many people don't wear any makeup... On one hand it's great to not be superficial. On the other hand, my mother is a natural beauty. Very Eliz Taylor. Yet she always wore some makeup. Not in an obvious way but she just looked nice. I noticed when she was visiting after my 2nd child, she looked WAY better than me and she was in her 70's. I'm not sure what's wrong with taking a bit of pride in how you look. I'm sure my father has appreciated it. She never spent much money but she took an extra 5 min a day. As a kid, I was also always very proud of her. I know some kids were embarrassed of their mothers so I keep that in mind bc I don't want mine to be embarrassed of me. So no - I don't think I could go a year without makeup and don't think I'd want to. I don't wear much but a little can go a long way.

When I don't wear makeup people ask me if I need a rest, and am I feeling OK?

I wouldn't do it.

No way. I barely look acceptable WITH my makeup on and hair styled and colored! No thank you.

LOL.

Well, generally I don't wear any makeup except to church and special events. So right there we're at probably 60 days of makeup for the whole year. I haven't gotten my hair cut, trimmed, or anything other than shampoo/conditioner at home for about a year and a half. So, I guess, going a whole year without makeup really wouldn't be too much of a difference to me. :p

I wouldn't do it. I don't wear much makeup anyway. I spend MAYBE $100-200 a year on cosmetics. Including face wash, scrubs, makeup, lotion, shampoo and conditioner, etc. I do wear makeup just about every day, but it takes me about 5 minutes. It's minimal. I'm very fair, so I like to bring some color to my face. I feel far less washed out. I wear a little foundation, blush, lipstain, and sometimes eyeshadow. My lashes are long, I don't even bother with mascara. I am naturally blonde (no gray, yet) and don't dye my hair. My hair is healthy, I only wash it twice a week. A wonderful hairdresser friend taught me how to cut my own hair years ago, so I only get a professional cut every few years. I have wavy hair, so it's very forgiving! People ask where I get my haircut, and I have to laugh. I don't get my nails done, I had them done once...hated it!!! My nails are thick, and I just didn't see the point of all the damage.

I'm with you, I keep it simple.

I rarely wear make up. I reserve it for meetings, date nights and special events - LOL! So I pretty much do the "no makeup" lifestyle and could do it:)
However, I am a slave to my highlights! I guess I spend anywhere from $900 to $1200 on face cleaning, lotions, etc and my hair annually.

About 6 times a year I get my hair cut/colored, total cost would probably come out to about $800, including the tip.

Make up - probably less than $100/yr

Lotions - I get eczema, so I get kinda pricey Aveeno baby lotion many times a year. Maybe another $100 there.

I buy cheap Suave shampoo and conditioner, after spending years buying $20/bottle Biolage. I notice no difference in the quality of the shampoo and conditioners.

Manicures/pedicures - I've only had them twice, ever.

So, overall, I'm probably about $1000/yr.

I wear foundation pretty much most days to give my skin an even tone. I also wear a little bit of eye shadow to accent my eyes somewhat and if in the mood a natural color lipstick.

In general and as part of my OA 12 step, it's important to me that I make an effort in my appearance .Although I never dressed too poorly, I can tell you that there was a time when I didn't put much effort into it. Now, I not only wear a little makeup but dress in a way that shows I have pride in my appearance. It may not be for everyone, but it's what works for me..

There is no way I would do this for a year!! A Saturday morning while I am working out and then cleaning the house is fine but after that I need to shower and get beautified!

I work in medical sales, two days of the week usually from home. I know I feel better about myself so I present the person I want to. When I'm seeing clients, it is an unwritten (heck, might be written at this point) that we wear nice suits, have our hair looking nice and our makeup appropriate.

This is the only body I have and I am going to talke care of it with proper products and if I turn out looking better in the end = huge win. It only takes a few minutes in the morning for makeup and skin care in the morning and night.

I don't know why she would have much problem. Most of the time I wear gloss and that's it. Years ago a friend said no foundation cleared up her skin and I've found that to be true. Further, I can't use mineral makeups because even with the stuff they have you put on your face, it looks cakey and unnatural to me (I even had one of their makeovers in the store). My skin is just too dry. So, YES, I would go a year (and have gone longer than that) with little to no makeup. I wasn't ostracized for it. Now, if I were going to spruce up, I'd put on a little more, maybe some mascara or a brighter shade of gloss and some grown up polish vs the purple sparkles I have on.

I work from home so most of my routine is wash with gentle cleanser, put on a moisturizer with SPF and lip gloss if I remember. I wear my rings and maybe a simple necklace and 2 pairs of earrings (both simple). Done.

I get my hair cut once a year. I don't make enough to spend $15K on makeup. That's like the article that said that people spent thousands on Prom night. Not me and not my kids.

Oh, and if she wants to be a man, there are so many levels of what a man does, too. My DH always puts on a watch so what's with the now jewelry? My SS always fixes his hair more than any W. I've met. So where's the line?

And that experiment with the W.? Not fair. Fair would have been the same W. with a washed face, if they wanted to prove makeup made the difference. In the first part, she was friendlier, she had an open face, she looked kept. In the second, her hood was pulled up, she looked closed, she looked sketchier. Why the outfit change? For TV.

Now, the one thing mentioned that I would not like to do is go without shaving. I like how *I* feel with shaved legs and would be uncomfortable in shorts with hairy legs, so that's my vanity, I guess.

And at the end of the day, why is this news? We are so caught up in the outside and we forget about the inside.

I honestly will not leave the house without eye liner and some under eye lightener. Just my thing. But I never sleep with any make up on my face - wash it all off pretty much as soon I am home for the day.

I probably spend about 400 a year on "beauty" that includes makeup, moisturizers, and hair cuts.

I haven't worn makeup in years. If I am in a wedding, I'll go have it done at a beauty shop. I do get my hair several times a year and try a pedicure at least once a year but I haven't done that in about 2 years.

I *want* to do more beauty-wise but just don't . . . I homeschool and my husband works from home. So we're all home, ALL the time. It's hard to stay very motivated with three males in the house (who couldn't care less). :P

Whew I need some girl time!

I wouldn't do it. I don't wear a lot of make-up daily, but with my Scandinavian droopy eyes I look very tired without eyeliner on.

I would get my hair colored more often, but no time so maybe every 4 months for that, but regardless I spend nowhere near that much.

Well, I do henna my hair about once every 8 or so weeks.
For conditioning as well as covering the grey.
But I cut it myself.
As far as makeup goes - heck - I haven't worn anything other than chap-stick since, let me think - somewhere around 2005.
I only ever did my toe nails for 2 years (2001 - 2002) before I got bored with it.
I scrub the dead skin off my feet myself.
No manicures or pedicures.
My husband loves it that I don't waste money on that stuff - we've got better places to spend it.

It's been far more than 12 years since I wore make up on any regular basis, and then it was only for an occasional Halloween Costume. I don't even do that anymore either, it's been years since I last wore any makeup for a Halloween costume.
I love it that way! My skin is healthy and youthful looking, people do not believe I am 42.
I used to be one of those that went to sleep in my makeup in high school for fear someone would see me in the morning without makeup.
I don't color my hair either. I am as natural blonde as the day I was born. I have never followed fad hair cuts and have always kept it simple, classic and long. I have learned wonderful and fun ways to style it to keep it looking fresh. I get the ends trimmed twice a year by my husband and trim the bangs as needed myself.
I have never run across anyone that felt me unattractive for it.
I am more for a sharp outfit, some beautiful jewelry/accessories and keeping myself clean. I will not leave the house in sweats or yoga pants, I don't even own any. Even in jeans and a t-shirt I pull myself together.
You can be natural and still be polished and beautiful!

I don't wear makeup as a rule. I'm due for some new "basics" as I haven't bought any in years... I'm 40 and have been married for 9 1/2 years.

I spend probably about $500-600 a year on haircuts/coloring and eyebrow waxes.

I just generally don't wear makeup. I do wear jewelry about once a week (earrings).

MY "society" has never commented ;)

That said! I sometimes do wonder what I would look like "all dolled up". Last night I was watching some of the "Peoples Choice Awards" and was thinking that all women should get a chance to be all done up like a movie star once a year... just for fun. Since I've never had my makeup done for me, or really been made over, I think it would be interesting to see what it's like.

J.

No way! The dark circles under my eyes would scare everyone away!

I love my makeup, but I don't spend more than $100 in a year on it, if that. I just buy good quality and make it last. I wear it every day that I have to be seen in public, which is at least 6 days a week. Concealer, mineral foundation, eyeshadow, liner, blush and mascara. Not a big fan of lipstick, so I'm a gloss or chap stick girl.

I color my own hair, and get it cut 4x per year so that would be another $100.

$200 per year is worth it to me!

LOL, I am a walking experiment then. I don't even own any makeup anymore. I was a tomboy as a kid and never really learned how to properly apply make up. Or hair products. I don't own hair spray either. If I show up anywhere without a ponytail, THAT gets comments! haha

Certainly not trying to say I dont need it, I am sure I would look better with some makeup, but I just dont really care enough to work that into my morning routine :)

I spend more on moisturizer than makeup. My skin gets dry in the winter and I hate how it feels itchy and tight. So I wear Olay.

I've been in the Army for over 10 years. We have pretty strict rules about makeup (not too much, must look natural), so I tend to wear just a little mineral makeup and some mascara. That's it. Any more and I feel overcooked.

Hi, W.:

Keeping facial skin nourished is a good way to look healthy.

A W. doesn't have to spend a fortune to keep looking beautiful.

When I see a W. without makeup, hair straggling, I think she is not empowered to care for herself. I think some man in her life is dominating her.

Just a point of view.
Thanks for asking.
D.

I would happily go without makeup, and often go without makeup to school - well, I always wear lipgloss (I'm a teacher), but I spend a fortune on my hair!

I don't think I'd like it.
And I know for sure I don't spend anywhere near 15K per year on makeup or beauty items.
So I don't see the point really...
I would suspect if you already don't like using makeup or grooming products, then you're using them for others anyway.

With the exception of a few days I could count on my two hands I have gone without makeup for about 10 years. I prefer not to have the hassle and my husband likes a more natural W.. I still shave and do all that, I just don't think all the "paint" is necessary. I have not noticed that I get treated differently in society, but I am also a stay at home mom so maybe if I was in a certain work place it would be more of an issue? But I don't think I would let others attitudes change what works for me either way.

I dont know what I spend per year, most of it is probably on bubble bath. For moisturizer I use cocoanut oil, and I use the same with sugar to make body scrubs.

I've easily gone a whole year without all of that (only deodorant).

Not seeing the issue.

Typically I spend around $500 a year on "beauty"

While I was in school I never wore make up. My boss told me I needed to wear it, which made me go longer without it. It was only a matter of not having the time to apply it while I was in school and working.

I still have my natural color of hair with a grey or two, so I don't color.

I do wear make up most days, but if I don't feel like it, I have no problem with natural.

I would not. I love glamour, but since my pregnancy, I just don't feel like the hassle every day. I hate to wash my face. I've never been one to spend a ton on beauty products. I have a big palette for my eyes. I use Lubriderm lotion for my moisturizer (works great!) and mix it with my Revlon foundation. I relax my hair three to four times a year and use Suave shampoo and conditioner. I might go to a hair salon once or twice a year if I have an event and just really don't feel like doing it at home. I get it trimmed then. I do not color it because I like my hair color and because I do not wish to have to maintain that. I wear make-up when the mood strikes me or when I have an event to attend. I have a hard time justifying paying often for someone to do something that I can do myself.

Now, if you want to know where I consistantly spend my money on vanity, it's in the nail salon. I get my nails done at least every three weeks, hands and feet.

When I was ready for my sophomore year in college, I got to thinking that wearing make-up was an action of vanity, and that I needed to give it up. I actually cried about it, but I went through with my plan. After the first day or two, I continued to face the world without make-up, never giving it a second thought. Later, when I started my first real job, a year & a half out of college, I decided to wear a light foundation, a tiny bit of rouge, and mascara. If I went to a wedding or something else special, I might add a touch of eye shadow, but no eye liner. I never have worn lipstick or eyebrow pencil, and I have rarely used cologne.

Here's how I gave up make-up for good. After our first child was born, I would say to my husband, "I can't even find time to put my make-up on." He would always say, "You don't need make-up." Well, I beg to differ, as I am not a natural beauty, but after hearing this a few times, I stopped to think. If my husband didn't care whether I wore make-up, then why should I bother with it? I wasn't trying to attract any other man, and I didn't care whether other women thought I was attractive. I stopped cold turkey, and that was 26 years ago.

It is so freeing to be able to just be me without having to paint myself up to fit whatever the beauty magazines consider the current beauty norm. I also feel I'm being considerate to those who have allergies to scented products and to the environment. When I walk through the cosmetics section of a department store, I'm amazed at what seems to me to be a complete waste of the world's resources on a lot of toxic substances to make ourselves and our world sick.

I don't judge others on this issue. Wear make-up, if you choose. I don't care. I'm glad, though, that my husband still thinks I'm beautiful 27 years after our wedding day, and that I don't have to paint my face to convince him of that.

I saw that this morning and thought "damn, I could have written that book long ago!" I very rarely wear makeup. Occasionally eye liner and mascara, but even that's pretty rare. I was also dubious that women spend that much money and an entire week getting ready each year. I spend maybe $50-75/year on haircuts and make up. I wonder whether that includes shampoo and conditioner and shower soap? If so, then maybe $100...

I don't wear make up. Maybe once a year? So I already do her experiment.
I haven't had my hair cut in about 2 years. Never color it.
Our local sports team (the Seattle Sounders) does a special promotion. If the team wins and scores at least three goals then you can take your season ticket to a local cheapy haircut place and they will cut your hair for free. That's the last time my hair got cut. My mom gave me her ticket.
I think, in the past year I have spent about $8 on beauty. For chapstick.
L.

I have seen a few women like this in the past couple months in the news... I have horrible skin and I have light eyelashes, so I cararely go out with nothing on. I at least wear mascara if I go anywhere. I don't spend that much on beauty products though... 15k a year?! I wouldn't even say 500 per year... I get my makeup at Target and don't dye my hair, so maybe that is where I am saving some money! =)

It's been a while since I last cut my hair or colored it, mostly because I'd been pregnant and am now breast feeding. I very rarely wear makeup, there's just no time and no reason for if since I'm usually indoors and never see anyone besides my husband.

When I do wear makeup, I keep it very simple, blush, eye liner, white shadow under my brows, concealer here and there and maybe a spritz of scent. Not too much because my husband likes my scent as is.

I dont wear makeup....my beauty regimen is washing my face, a few special potions (Olay), curl my eyelashes and lip gloss. I do curl my long hair almost daily and am embracing my greys.

I wore make up on our wedding day. I wore make up the day that Justin proposed to me (Long story). And by make up I mean black eyeliner and clear lip gloss. That's it.

I wear deodorant. I wash my hair, brush my teeth, etc. I do dye my hair black, but that's what? $2.50 a box that I put in myself. I get my hair trimmed twice a year, tops. I straighten my hair for special occasions. I have my eyebrows waxed like once a month or once every other month if I stall long enough. I shave my body hair. I have a necklace that I wear for special occasions and of course my engagement/wedding ring. But that's it.

I've never had anybody comment on it. Maybe their giving me disgusted looks when I'm not looking? Lol

I'm not sure if I would - probably but can't say for certain.

I don't spend that much on "beauty." My haircuts are $25 each. I get my hair cut every 6 - 8 weeks.

I color my hair at home so the home dye is under $10. I color it about 3 times per year.

I use only mascara (Maybelline Great Lash) and a very cheap liquid eye liner. The only thing I use that's not necessarily really cheap is Olay foundation with moisturizer and SPF. It costs about $18 or so a bottle.

So altogether I probably spend about $450 or so per year.

I get my hair cut 2-3 times a year and pay $35 each time. I had highlites for the first time a couple of months ago because I had a groupon. I get a manicure/pedicure once a year on my birthday for $35. The rest of the year I paint my own toenails. A bottle of nailpolish lasts me about a year, and the last polish I bought was Opi, but it was 25 cents at a yard sale. I wear a moisturizing foundation with spf, eyeshadow/liner and mascara every day. I buy CoverGirl and probably only spend $30 a year on makeup. I get my eyebrows threaded about 4 times a year for $6 each time. I will have my legs and bikini line waxed once a year for $40. I use my epilator, or home wax the rest of the time. I buy Pantene shampoo, conditioner and gel for about $3.99 a bottle. I only wear my wedding rings and my sleeper hoop earings. I did buy one costume neclace and earings set on sale for $10, but that was the only jewellery I have bought in years.

This is my everyday. It is a rare occasion that I DO wear makeup.
I used to go to Hair Cuttery maybe every 3 months - $25 a trip, but now I've had to start hiding some greys, so I see a friend who is a professional colorist, every 2 months and the cost has gone WAY up.

I've gone probably 30 years without wearing make up on a regular basis. It's been the occasional ... special occasion (aka pictures I'm sending to others). I'm allergic to most make up, and the stuff I'm NOT allergic to is too expensive by my standards to go through it like crazy.

I do like to get my nails done ... but those are getting ready to come off, because with a job and nursing school and a family ... yeah time ISN'T going to be something I have a lot of LOL

When I get my nails done ... which usually lasts less than a year at a stretch ... I probably spend a couple hundred dollars ... 30 a month for 6 months (give or take) ... so ... 180 bucks sometimes.

But getting my nails done isn't an every single month every single year for years on end kind of thing LOL I go through phases where I want them done ... then I get tired of the upkeep and take them off ... will go a year or two (or more) with out getting them done then do them again for a little while LOL

Um... I don't wear makeup. Occasionally, I'll use a dusting of powder on my nose. I just don't like it. I have slightly oily skin and eye makeup slides off me-- I used to fuss over that stuff. Just isn't worth it to me now-- and my husband hates kissing me with lipstick on. I'd rather get a kiss!

I get about 6 haircuts at most a year, about $45 a pop, including tip. So, less than $300 on beauty, I guess. I rarely buy jewelry, and it's usually a pair of earrings every 5 years or so ($50 or so). Keepin' it simple, too.

I wouldn;t but I don't spend a lot. My skin gets shiny sometimes and I cannot stand that. I don't have droopy eyes but I like to at least have mascara and powder. Can easily go without all the rest.

All total, I probably spend $100 on makeup a year than if I am lucky to go every 3 months for a cut at $25 each.....I am saving bigtime.

Of course, I know someone that could probably passes that amount by October.

I only wear a concealer & foundation. I have acne, so I like to cover up bumps & red spots. I only wear eye shadow, mascara, & lipstick if we are going somewhere nice or to a wedding, ect.

I would guess on makeup & haircuts I spend roughly $150-200.

I rarely wear makeup anymore and when I do I am doing it for my own benefit. There are many a days I just don't feel the need. No one has EVER commented. Although there are days I look in the mirror at the end of the day and think 'eek!!' But again, it is only bothering me.