No Makeup: Beauty Dare

Six months ago, Alexis Wolfer, founder of The Beauty Bean, made a seemingly benign proposition: why not pledge to go makeup-free on Mondays? What started as an inside joke among Beauty Bean staffers has snowballed into a national movement, inspiring everyone from morning television anchors to celebs to go bare-faced (and to send in pictures to prove it!). If the idea of leaving the house without even a stitch of tinted moisturizer is a bit daunting, you’re not alone. But skipping makeup isn’t only good for our skin—it’s good for our psyche. Wolfer says, “I love beauty – love everything about it—but we have to keep it in perspective.” Going natural is a great way to remind ourselves that, as much as we love our magical products, we’re pretty awesome without them. Here are four easy ways to look your best without makeup.

Sleep More

We’ve said it once, and we’ll say it again: A good night’s sleep trumps a miracle cream any day. When you get at least seven hours (preferably eight) of restful sleep, your body has time to recharge and rebuild. To prevent under eye circles, Wolfer suggests sleeping with your head slightly elevated, which will reduce puffiness. We also like using myfaceworks Sheet Masks right before bed; after you remove it, rub the excess serum into your skin using circular motions so that it can sink in while you sleep.

Eat Right

Scientists have debunked the teenage myth that French fries cause acne, but that doesn’t mean you can subsist on grease bombs and white sugar with no external consequences. Simply put, your body reflects what you put in it, and processed foods can make you look (and feel) puffy and dull. Add whole grains and antioxidant superfoods and you’ll see a difference. For tips on what to eat, read The Great Skin Diet.

Get Moving

There’s a reason why people suggest matching your blush to your post-run flush—exercising makes you look and feel healthy. Wolfer says, “It gets your blood going, gives your cheeks a little glow, and you feel more confident about your body.” Sweating is also the best way to rid your body of toxins that could lead to breakouts.

Take Care Of Your Skin

We said no to makeup— not to products. Great skin (at least for most of us) takes work. Exfoliate with a gentle scrub or an enzyme-based peel at least twice times a week, and be religious about hydrating. Wolfer says, “A lot of women shy away from moisturizer because they think it’ll make them oily, but it’s really important for healthy skin.” Once a week, give skin a boost with a clarifying face mask—what else are you going to do while you watch Glee?

 - By Mollie Chen