Weddingbee Blog

I’ve had something on my mind that I always think about when I go on vacation. To most people, it doesn’t sound like a scary prospect, but bear with me here. I am one of those girls that always wears makeup. I promise, it’s not a vanity thing for me, it’s more of a ‘I’ve been wearing makeup for so long that I don’t think people would recognize me if I didn’t’-thing. I think a lot of it also has to do with the warping of my mind after working in salons for so long, where you are expected to have a certain image. The salon mentality has always been: if you don’t look presentable, your client will not trust that you can make them look presentable. Hence, for 9 years now, I’ve been surrounded by makeup, hair products, perfume, pretty much anything related to making yourself look and feel and smell good.

I also have a little secret. I can’t believe I’m posting this for all of you to see, but this was my 8th grade picture…

I had an unusually loooong awkward stage, and 20 years later at 32 years old, I still have a large part of that geeky looking, shy, only red-head in my class, in me. Anyone that has known, or is, a true red-head knows that our eyebrows are blonde. Our eyelashes are blonde. Most are pale, and have lots of freckles. I, by some fortunate grace, actually can tan, and I love my freckles. The eyebrows and eyelashes, however, are a different story. Pretty much since high school when I was finally allowed to wear makeup, I’ve been darkening both with cosmetics. (I’ve actually been thinking about sharing a post on my makeup step-by-step since I’ll be doing my own makeup for my wedding and I’ve been doing makeup for years.)

Anywho, how does all of this pertain to my wedding, you ask?

Beach = Water = No makeup

I’m trying to chant to myself every morning as I’m putting on my face that I don’t need it. That I’m beautiful without. That it’s just our families and friends. But then my insecurities get the best of me, which they tend to do a lot. I honestly think the one thing that scarred me the most in this arena was a little trip I took to Jamaica with an ex. I was so gung-ho about being able to be free with no makeup and no worries for a week, until the first time we were getting ready to go somewhere. He said something along the lines of, “maybe you should wear a little makeup”. Grrrrrr. Needless to say, that relationship did not last long, but it’s the little negative comments that always seem to stick with you.

Now I KNOW Mr. ’Chos loves me no matter what and he’s seen me more than anyone without makeup. Heck, he knew me when I was in 8th grade (see awkward photo above) and before, and I don’t think twice about prancing around the house au natural. And of course, it’s the same with my family. So I guess my insecurity in this situation is more of me “crawling out of my comfort zone” since I’m so used to seeing a certain face in the mirror that won’t be there.

I’ve been tempted to dye my eyebrows for the trip, which I’ve done before, but honestly, they tend to not take too well and fade after a week, so there really is no point. There’s also the worry that they’ll turn out too dark and I’ll look like Groucho Marx. Trust me. It’s happened. Could you imagine the wedding pictures!?!

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Then there’s always the waterproof mascara route, but when I’ve tried that in the past, any time I’m in water I worry that I’ll still end up with raccoon eyes.

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So, I think I have finally convinced myself to be OK with a naked face for 2 weeks. I think once I get past the first day and realize that I’m the only one thinking I look strange, I should be OK.

Are you also the type of person to always have a made-up face? Do you think you could go for 2 weeks without putting your face on?