Sun girl takes the ultimate test: a week without make-up

July 21st, 2011 by Charlotte Soward | Print

Celebs Kourtney Kardashian, Paris Hilton and Mischa Barton have all been snapped looking less than glam without their war paint recently.

Au naturelle … Mischa Barton ditches the war paint

And there were gasps when Russell Brand posted a picture on Twitter of slap-free wife Katy Perry, who was said to be less than amused.

Almost a third of women apply make-up just to nip to the shops and six in ten would never go to work without a full face on, according to a recent Superdrug survey.

One in ten wouldn’t even let their boyfriend see them without slap.

To find out how much difference lippy and mascara makes, we challenged beauty writer LAUREN NAYLOR to bare all for a week.

10AM: MY boyfriend Ben is used to the unnerving sight of my pasty face first thing in the morning. But revealing my pale skin and barely-there lashes to my friends and workmates is a scary prospect.

As I step into the brightly lit reception at work without any make-up on, I feel naked and colourless. I slink into the lift and keep my back to the huge mirror inside. The less I see, the better.

1PM: A few colleagues clearly notice my natural new look as they ask if I have started my challenge. A few tell me I’m brave. Now the paranoia really kicks in. I skulk into the canteen to grab my lunch before sprinting back to eat at my desk.

In the raw … Katy Perry snap posted online by Russell Brand

7PM: Come home and find my cat, Martha, nestled in the sink. It’s a perfect opportunity for a cute photo of us together, despite me feeling a mess. Actually, I think her blue fur compliments my pale face.

9PM: At last, a perk. No scrubbing off kohl and mascara before bed.

9AM: Ben kisses me goodbye, adding: “Goodbye, gorgeous.” I decide I may not look so bad. Or maybe he was just being nice…

10AM: I get to work on time for once. I’m normally late after fiddling with eyeliner or faffing over my lippy. But I can’t resist using Vaseline to gloss my lips and eyelashes and tame stray eyebrows.

2PM: I am on a beauty photoshoot for a Fifties-style hair feature. The models are all ruby red lips and eyeliner.

I feel naked and drab by comparison, and worry the handsome new stylist thinks I’m a troll. But I scrape my hair off my face and get stuck into the job.

7PM: Very glad to be home and out of sight of all the beautiful people.

9AM: I’ve cheated. A big spot has erupted on my chin so I sneak on a little mascara and bronzer. I couldn’t cope with a red raw spot AND barely-there eyes. My boss is not impressed. I vow to start afresh tomorrow.

8AM: I’ve set my alarm early to do some body and hair pampering. My face may be bare but at least the rest of me will look pristine. I straighten my hair to within an inch of its life and tease my fringe into place – perfect.

I’ve arranged to meet my friend Brigitta tonight for some Thai grub so I choose an outfit that will flatter my pale skin tone.

9.45AM: I slap on a radiance-enhancing moisturiser and take one last look in the hall mirror to make sure everything is in place.

12PM: I’m ashamed to admit I briefly consider having a sunbed after realising the thing that makes me feel bad about myself is my pasty complexion. I resist the urge.

7PM: Meet Brigitta for what turns out to be a great night. We’re so busy laughing at the antics of some drunk guy that I forget I’m make-up free.

Bare fare … make-up free Lauren dining with pal Brigitta

11PM: Just a quick face wash and I can fall into bed. Perfect.

2PM: Today I face my biggest test – getting the train back home to Essex, make-up capital of the UK.

Meet Ben for lunch, but he doesn’t even mention my natural look. I’ve made an effort with my outfit and hair so I feel pretty good.

5PM: Bumped into several chums. A few ask if I’ve done something different to my hair but no one seems to clock that I’m make-up free.

7PM: I have a nice glass of red wine over dinner with Ben, which brings a flush to my cheeks. He keeps me laughing all evening and I completely forget how minging I feel.

Feline odd … Lauren admits she’d love some lippy to go with her glam outfit

9PM: I’m having a great time, but I have to admit I’d still love a slick of red lippy.

I feel a bit odd in my glam outfit without any slap.

11AM: Sunday is normally a no make-up day, so I don’t feel any different as I enjoy breakfast in bed. I’m looking forward to digging out my favourite Mac eyeliner for work tomorrow though.

It takes a lot of confidence to go without make-up, but I’ve realised that how I feel shouldn’t be linked to what is on my face.

We all tend to be overly critical of ourselves and where I see a pasty complexion, workmates saw a clear one.

I was dreading having my photo taken without my slap for this feature.

I felt like I was back at school in one of those horrible posed portraits that seem to highlight every spot and flaw.

But I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the results. I didn’t look as ghastly as I felt.

Going out without make-up was also nowhere near as bad as I expected.

I was far too busy chatting and enjoying myself to worry about a spot on my chin or any under-eye shadows.

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