A few week’s back when I headed to the Lake District, I did so extremely streamlined with just a pair of trainers and walking boots, two pairs of trousers, five tops, a hoodie, a waterproof jacket, PJ’s and a lighter than usual wash bag lobbed into the boot of my car. No heels, no hair tools and surprisingly no makeup. Ok well – I did pack a lip balm, an eyebrow comb and a pair of eyelash curlers but that doesn’t count as makeup, right? Wearing no slap isn’t an alien prospect to me. I do so very often, but usually in close vicinity to my home which means I have 20 red lipsticks within arms reach should I feel the urge to spruce up. Comfort, you know? But being 300 miles away from home with a pretty empty looking toiletry bag under my arm, over my five makeup-free days I learnt a few things…
1. Getting ready is so quick. Seriously – so quick. Shower, shave, brush of the hair into a ponytail – done. I think my morning regime may even have been faster than Mark’s. Factor in another two minutes to slather on SPF, a step I missed on Day 1 and suffered the consequences for (see Point 4).
2. You’ll pack so light. Oh my word. If you’re familiar with my holiday packing guides of last year then you know that packing is both joyous for me and done with military precision. I love it. I pride myself on never forgetting anything and having a wash-bag that usually takes up half my suitcase. However this time it closed. Madness. And it didn’t even look like it was going to pull the hook off the bathroom door when I hung it up. Even more crazy.
3. You won’t care. I’m comfortable without a full-face of slap anyway, but not having access to it at all meant that I went without in situations where I’d usually reach for something, even just mascara and concealer. It’s surprising how little you give two hoots.
4. Your skin will not miraculously become like J.Lo’s. Have you seen her no makeup selfie? I was under the illusion that leaving things bare was a sure fire ticket into a celeb-like complexion, but apparently not. Spot city along with the delightful phenomenon that is windburn decided to have a little parade on my face. When talking to my mate Mel about the matter she had a little theory that perhaps without the layer of cover-up to protect it, the barrier was down and therefore the redness and pimples had a party. Who knows?
5. You will get a spot. Fact. By Day 3 a huge puss-y sucker had erupted right in the centre of my forehead and by Day 5 it resembled a third eye. I found myself looking longingly at other women in the campsite bathroom who were beautifully blending in concealer and secretly hatching a plan to scout out the nearest Boots for an emergency purchase. Miraculously I survived without, but that blighter is still present today. Thank gawd for Laura Mercier’s Secret Camouflage.
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