Let’s fight the frump today by talking about makeup!
All week we’ve been talking about getting rid of that frumpy feeling by taking care of our appearance and showing that we respect ourselves. It’s not about being a fashion model or having a certain body type. It’s just about looking like you care about yourself, and showing others that you are friendly, approachable, and confident.
We talked about hair yesterday, and today I want to tackle makeup! When I wrote my first fight the frump series a few years ago, I had a lot of pushback on the makeup day, because a lot of women said that their husbands prefer them with no makeup.
So I decided that this time around I would talk about makeup differently.
I want to talk about how to use natural looking makeup to enhance what’s there–not try to cover up anything or make you look like a clown.
I was talking to my daughter Katie about guys not always liking makeup, because Katie is the makeup queen. She does her makeup amazingly well (just glance through her Instagram!). But she made a really good point: If you have too much makeup on, and you’re cuddling, the makeup gets everywhere! And then my daughter Rebecca said that her husband doesn’t always like lip gloss because it’s kind of icky to kiss. I see, then, why many guys say they like women better without makeup!
What I’m talking about today, then, is natural looking makeup. Here’s me with super heavy makeup, for instance:
Okay, that’s not what we’re aiming for (though there’s nothing wrong with it necessarily).
So I thought: let’s attack this a different way! I’ve always wanted to try mineral based makeup for a few reasons: It’s totally natural (or at least some brands are), so you’re not adding chemicals to your face. It doesn’t clump like liquid based makeup and pressed makeup. And minerals absorb oils so bacteria doesn’t grow and you don’t get as shiny!
When Emily from Redeeming Beauty Minerals wanted to sponsor this post, then, I got really excited, because she sent me a whole box of samples of her mineral-based makeup! It’s all-natural, toxin-free, and artisan crafted by a WAHM. So it’s good all around!
I wanted to find a daytime look that was natural that didn’t require liquid foundation (since liquid foundation can clog pores and also make a mess out of clothing). So I thought I’d give it a try.

Samples of Redeeming Beauty Minerals Makeup–foundation, primer, lipstick, mascara, eye shadows, and blush.
Natural makeup, done well, smoothes out your skin tone and highlights key areas, making your eyes shine.
That’s the point! It’s not to make you look painted; it’s to give you soft definition. And it won’t cause blemishes, either, so you can wear it even if you’re breaking out (and it will make you feel better, too!)
So here I am with no makeup:
I started with her liquid primer, which isn’t goopy or gelled, like most drug store blends. It’s just a simple liquid. It’s safe for blemish prone skin, and it tightens while lightly moisturizing. With lavender, neroli, and grapeseed oil, it sounds truly wonderful!
Then I used the powder foundation. Was it ever soft! I couldn’t believe the difference. And it honestly did even out my skin tone. I’ve always been afraid to try mineral makeup for just that reason–I thought I’d need liquid foundation to make my face not so red in certain parts. But it really does smooth everything out! Emily says:
And then she told me what’s in it: finely milled silk, finely milled pearl, and other great stuff. No wonder it’s soft! And iron oxides and mica creates the different shades.
I had little samples of different blushes and eye shadows, and I chose some simple pinks and purples for my cheeks and eyes.
I took an eyeliner brush and used some of the dark purple eye shadow at the corners of my upper lid, too. Then I added some mascara. Emily’s mineral mascara is formulated to help lash growth (which I hope works because I have virtually no bottom lashes!). She has a video up on how to make your lashes longer!
Emily’s lipstick is super creamy, so it’s not glossy and men won’t mind kissing it. 😉 If you’re one of those gals who always wears chapstick in the winter, this really would be the equivalent. So instead of sticking on chapstick, you could apply some subtle colour that also protects your lips! This particular colour is Labyrinthine victory, and Emily writes:
Finally, I finished it all off with Perfectly Flawless Finishing Powder.
I didn’t apply the makeup as dark as I normally would (I’m one of those women who actually likes makeup, and my husband does too), so I went for just a natural look.
But you can see that my face doesn’t look super colourful. It doesn’t look like a clown. But I look like I have more definition than I did at the beginning (here’s the before and after together):
What if all those makeup steps seem overwhelming?
That’s okay! You could get away with foundation, blush, and some eyeliner and mascara if that’s all you want to do, and it would take a grand total of maybe 1 1/2 minutes (this likely took me about 3 minutes). In fact, Emily has an awesome tutorial on how to keep makeup simple, use only a few products, and still enhance your natural beauty.
I put all this on yesterday morning about 10, and then for lunch Katie and I headed out to the place where her wedding reception is to sample the menu. Then we went out with a friend. By the time I looked in the mirror again it was 6:00, and I pretty much looked exactly the same. Usually my makeup falls off within a few hours, because I have super oily skin (that means no wrinkles yet, but it also makes makeup trickier). But this stayed put, so I’m totally sold on mineral makeup!
Look, no one HAS to wear makeup. But a natural look really can make you feel wonderful.
I’m totally okay if you choose not to. When people say, though, that they look better without makeup, I think what they mean is that they look better without the HEAVY makeup (like my first picture). I truly can’t think of anybody I know who honestly looks better without any makeup than they would with a natural look.
I didn’t wear a lot of makeup when my kids were little, and I felt so frumpy and depressed. That’s likely why I’m so passionate about this and why I’ve been saying this for years now: frumpy does make you grumpy, and it affects your outlook on life. And we’re so prone to it when our children are small and we have so little time.
But let’s summarize this now.
This week to fight the frump, I took:
- 45 seconds to get dressed
- 1 minute to do my hair
- 3 minutes to do my makeup
That’s a grand total of 4 minutes and 45 seconds. No, I didn’t wash my hair on the hair day, and if I did, I would have added 5-7 minutes with blow drying. But that’s it. So it’s not lack of time that makes us frumpy. The problem is that we don’t know:
- What clothes to choose
- How to get a good haircut
- How to put on the right makeup
- and how to put an outfit together
I hope I’ve helped with hair and makeup. Tomorrow we’ll look at how to choose clothes, and we’ll bring it on home on Friday with how to put outfits together. If you’re really lost on how to apply makeup, check out Emily’s tutorials! And pay attention to the No Makeup Makeup Look, too.
Thanks, Emily, for the makeup, and check out Redeeming Beauty Minerals here!
Let’s do this, ladies! Let’s encourage each other and fight the frump together!
Other posts in Fight the Frump Week:
Fight the Frump: Finding an Easy Hairstyle
Soooo… Fight the frump is working! Today I wore my hair out with a headband and put some earrings in and didn’t wear my ratty old shirt with holes, and I got several compliments from hubby 😍😀👏 !
Thanks god the inspiration!
That’s great, E! I’m glad. 🙂
LOL, that was supposed to be thanks FOR the inspiration,but I guess it’s just a reminder that I should be thanking God too! 😆
I have really bad vision and wear glasses most days, so part of the reason I don’t often wear makeup is that it’s really hard to see to apply it, and it’s hard to see my eyes well behind my glasses anyway so eye makeup seems a little pointless. Anybody have tips for this, besides wearing contacts?
Hey, H!
Sheila’s at a speaking event today and will be checking in periodically, but I’ll try to answer this for now!!
I prefer to wear my glasses over contacts, too, since I look at a screen all day and my eyes dry out when I wear contacts! But what I’ve found is that a bit of makeup actually DOES help your eyes stand out–even if you don’t always notice. Just looking at pictures of me with and without makeup on when I’m wearing glasses shows the huge difference that 5 minutes can make! But I would say that even if your eyes are covered, that doesn’t mean that a bit of foundation, blush, and lipstick still can’t be worn! And those can be applied while you have your glasses on for the most part! 🙂
I used to have the same problem before laser surgery on my eyes. Back in the day, I checked out a couole books from the library about makeup application, and there were lots of tips about how to properly apply eye makeup for those who use glasses. Now, I imagine there are a gazillion YouTube tutorials for this. I also highly recommend the course that was suggested in the comments under Monday’s post. I signed up and am loving learning how to be ME via my clothing, makeup, hai, even eye glasses.
Ladies, I would like to share this here. This course was shared on another page I follow. I had never heard of this lady, but since it is free, I decided to sign up. I grew up using hand me down clothing, and really never feeling comfortable with either my body nor my clothing. At age 40ish, I decided it was time for me to try to figure out who I really am. THM and Foxy Mama are partially responsible for that. After losing 40ish lbs and being able to buy new clothes, I want to make every purchase count. Maybe you, like me, want to use your health journey as a springboard to a “new” you. This course has been fun for me to watch and learn about how to express my personality through my style.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10156927846809498&id=355202819497
I am so sorry. I don’t know how to delete or edit my last comment. I actually just shared the same link on another group I follow. So, please disregard the commentary in the second half of my above reply. 😣😣🙄
Don’t worry about it, Sarah! 🙂 It’s just great to see you helping women fight the frump!!
When I wear my glasses instead of contacts, I too have a lot of difficulty seeing what I’m doing. I’ve found that using a hand held mirror with magnification helps me get my mascara on without awkwardly leaning over my bathroom counter. On glasses days, try putting on mascara first, maybe some under-eye concealer, then with glasses on finish the rest of your face standing farther from the mirror. That way you get “the big picture” for a more natural look overall. I find that trying to do my whole face using only a tiny mirror makes my makeup looked caked on, and nobody prefers that!
I wear glasses too, so a good eyeliner is pretty important for me (as well as a good close-up mirror for when I’m putting it on!). I use the Stila Stay All Day liquid eyeliner; it’s pricier than I would normally use, but it should last a long time and creates a really sharp, precise line that makes my eyes stand out even behind my glasses.
I got a $5 magnifying mirror (on a stand, so no balancing in your hand) from Ikea. I know Walmart has something similar.
As someone else said, you can keep your eye makeup super simple — a slightly darker eyeshadow (like a tan or bronze) with a very faint shimmer (no glitter!) kind of catches the light and looks like you have more contouring. Then mascara — go volumizing or something a little thicker, because black, thick lashes will define your eyes so you don’t have to use liner. And … you’re done! I do that with either brighter lipstick or blush when I have 6am video conference calls and I have seriously gotten compliments on looking put together.
Also, try a BB cream, which is basically a tinted moisturizer (as an alternative to the mineral powder). It soaks in, so it doesn’t cake or streak the way liquid does, and it feels softer. I have oily skin, so I generally powder my nose to keep down the shine.
Seriously, it takes me about 2 minutes (I’ve timed it) to do my basic makeup in the morning.
Great thoughts (although I’m on my third day of mineral makeup now, and I’m really surprised at how soft my face feels at the end of the day!)
But I totally agree about how long it takes. I think there’s this misconception that looking great has to take so much time. It really doesn’t. It takes a little bit of practice and trial and error to figure out what you like and what works, but it doesn’t need to take a ton of time!
I admit that since frumpy is such a loaded word, I wasn’t sure what direction this series would take. Thanks for making it about how we feel about ourselves and not our husbands.
🙂 I think if we feel better about ourselves that’s going to benefit our husbands anyway. 🙂
I once heard if you can only apply one piece of makeup, mascara makes the most difference. I suppose it depends on the person, your age, etc. but that’s what I wear the most. I quit wearing lipstick for a while when my husband didn’t think I needed it, but now I think as I age I DO need it. We’re experimenting. I’ve also recently gone back to makeup, actually BB Cream, which feels cleaner than the old Cover Girl I used to wear.
I’m a huge BB cream supporter, too! It’s more of a tinted moisturizer and is often much less clogging I find 🙂
I love mascara, too! I’m actually a big believer in foundation. I can’t believe how much better an even skin tone makes me look!
These are great tips. I want to try mineral make up as well. It took me some time to figure out what works for me but it sure is nice to be able to get it done in just a few minutes in the morning. Taking it all off before bed is my big issue. I tend to just crash.
I’m not the best at taking it off either. But I’m trying to learn to slow down and breathe and pamper myself more, and when I take it off, I get to use luxurious creams afterwards. 🙂
I’m with Mascara Gal–if I do wear makeup, I tend to put on only mascara and eye liner (liquid). It just gives me a little pop. My husband says he prefers without, but sometimes I just want to dress up a bit! I only do it when we’re going out because I run pretty much daily and am a big-time sweater, and I’d really rather not have anything burning my eyes while I run.
I do very little in the way of concealing because I like my freckles. I actually do very little at all, applying a face lotion + SPF after a shower (whether it’s morning or evening, but no other time), and that only to everything below my forehead because I’d sweat it into my eyes. I don’t even wash my face at night/in the AM if I haven’t showered.
One thing I’ve found that I really like doing (and this might belong on yesterday’s post, but oh well) is wearing shirts that I can change up from office to home. For instance, the dressy tank top I have on today has a half-zip. I keep it appropriately zipped for the office and then slip that zipper down a few inches for when I get home. Yesterday I wore a sweater with a cami and took the cami off just before I got home. I love catching my husband’s eye, and he loves the tease 🙂 It’s no extra effort when getting dressed but has a big impact later.
Your last paragraph made me smile. 🙂
I have a 5 minute makeup routine that makes my face pop. It’s usually just foundation around my eyes, eyeshadow that compliments my complection, and mascara. I often use a wand to curl my hair and it will usually last three days or so (I just clip it up when I shower and then fluff it up every morning). People always ask how I have”time” to do my hair with two babies under two. My trick is shoulder length hair with layers and curls “every three days.” Lol!
I love that your curls stay in that long! 🙂
I’ve been wanting to try mineral make up for a while now… you’ve inspired me to get into it! Another idea for those who like a natural look is BB cream. It’s quick and cheap and doubles as a primer & sunscreen too. It doesn’t hide any big blemishes but it does give a nice even skin tone and a glowy complexion.
My go-to every day mum look: BB Cream, an eye shadow a little darker than my skin tone, a flick of mascara and lip balm to finish. Done!
If I want a bit more glam, I’ll add a second, darker tone of eye shadow along the lash line (or you could use eye liner), a light powder foundation and lipstick.
I’m not much of a makeup person, but Sheila, you are so right! Even just a basic, natural application like this makes the world of difference to me. I feel so much better in myself, and I know I look that little bit better – more awake, more put together.
As someone whose acne has ALWAYS been triggered by makeup (all brands including those with sylasllic acid as a base, believe me I’ve tried everything.) and who has horrible eye allergies to boot, blog posts saying that women “look better with makeup” HURT. I mean they actually hurt. I have trichotellomania so even the hair article hurt. My hair and my face will never look as good as most women’s it’s a losing battle. Not everyone can focus on outward beauty, it’s fleeting anyway.
You’re not the only one who feels this way. I have never worn makeup, but I often feel judged by women for not wearing it. It’s understandable that this would be the case out in the world, but it’s sad when the church women do this too. But when we look at the Bible, it really never links beauty to physical attributes. True beauty is about character. And as for the physical, everyone is beautiful when they smile. That’s what I found interesting about the two pictures Sheila took. In the one with makeup, she has a big smile, but in the one without makeup she looks kind of sheepish. So yes, I thought she looked better in the picture with makeup, but I wonder if I would have felt that way if she’d been smiling in both pictures. Just an observation. And if it takes makeup to make you smile, something is wrong. We should smile because we’re dearly loved by God (who doesn’t care if we wear makeup or not), not because of how we look. Now, for those of you who wear makeup, that’s fine. I don’t have a problem with it at all. Just don’t judge those of us who don’t, for whatever reason. It’s just as irritating to listen to people saying women should wear makeup as listening to those who say makeup is a sin. Both are judgmental attitudes.
I wouldn’t leave the house without foundation on. Foundation with a concealer. I would love to use mascara but have virtually no bottom eyelashes, so I put an eyeliner on to make up for it. The only time I don’t do makeup is when I’m ill. It does make one feel better.
I don’t have a lot of bottom lashes, either, Pauline! Katie tells me that you can buy special bottom lash mascara that will accent what you do have with a tiny wand, and I may try that for the few I do have.
I love that your making this about how it makes us ultimately feel and not as much about how to appeal to our husbands. I have good days and bad in the looks department 😉 My husband however never compliments me on those good days so ever the years I had to learn to look to how it makes me feel rather then him. I find that I feel better with a light makeup look, and I like to have my hair tidy. I also like to wear my flannel and overalls when doing heavy/dirty work, we farm so it makes sense. I like to look more stylish on other days. I never leave the house feeling frumpy. I don’t even crash in the living room feeling frumpy. For me, I want to have confidence and drive to face whatever the day holds, I feel more confidant and driven if I’m a little put together.
About a year ago, I had my hair cut very short (pixie). I loved it, my husband hated it and wasn’t shy about saying so (even though he never compliments). I gave it some time, but he never got used to it so I grew my hair out. It took FOREVER to fix (minimum of 30 minutes). I finally got a perm and it is so easy again and hubby hasn’t criticized so I guess if my hair is going to be long for his sake, it’s going to be curly for mine. Some lady friends say I am crazy for changing my hair style to please him, and they may have a point, but I would criticize if he grew an untidy beard (think duck dynasty) and would want him to listen to me, so I listened to him. I did finally find a way to make us both happy, so I’m content with that.
This article is perfect one for my sister as she is the one “make-up queen” of our house who always loves to apply foundation, eyeliner and what not :p
I am surely gonna share this with her 😀