The other day, my son, in his perfectly toddler-like manner, trailed behind me as I moved about the house. Out of the blue, he exclaimed, “Mommy, don’t paint your lips again, OK?”
“Paint my lips?” I questioned.
“You know, when we went to Grandma’s for Mother’s Day and you painted your lips red? Don’t do that again.”
I chuckled at his description of my lipstick as “painting.” It made me realize that he must have visualized me rummaging through our chaotic craft supplies, grabbing a can of red paint, and using a brush to color my lips. Quite a peculiar and messy thought! His aversion stems from being a picky 3-year-old; he can’t even handle it when I cut his bagel into halves instead of quarters. Change of any sort seems to unsettle him.
This conversation got me thinking: my son has never actually seen me wear makeup. In fact, he probably doesn’t even know what it is. I don’t consider myself a “no makeup mom,” but it seems I fit that description. Even before having children, I was never one to pile on cosmetics. With naturally clear skin, I always believed that adding foundation would only complicate things. During my pre-mom life as an English instructor, I occasionally applied a bit of mascara and lipstick, but that was hit-or-miss. Honestly, I only did it back then to appear more mature to my college students.
It feels like I never quite graduated from that phase of experimenting with makeup as a teen; it always seemed like playing dress-up. Now that I’m a full-time mom and a part-time work-at-home mom, there’s hardly any reason to wear makeup at all. I reserve it for rare special occasions, which are few and far between these days. I do tend to put it on for events at my older son’s school because, despite being 38 with a 9-year-old, I still feel like a kid walking into that environment. Makeup gives me a sense of being an adult for a couple of hours.
Most days, I live in yoga pants, comfy T-shirts, and sweaters. A successful day is when I manage to shower, let my hair down instead of throwing it in a messy bun, and slip into a new pair of yoga pants. Whether I’m at home or out running errands, this is my go-to look. I sometimes see other moms at the park or during school pickups, all dressed up in stylish jeans and cardigans, with perfectly styled hair. They look fantastic, and I can’t help but feel a twinge of envy. But my burning question is, “How do they pull that off?”
Honestly, I’m curious. I often struggle just to make myself lunch and sit down to eat it, which is a priority I can’t ignore. Feeding the kids, taking care of personal needs, and getting dressed are also essential tasks. While I do shower to maintain some social standards, I can’t always fit it into my daily schedule. Exercise is vital for my mental health; without my daily dose of endorphins, I would feel overwhelmed. I also can’t ignore the state of my home, so I tend to that as well.
My life is so jam-packed that prioritizing is crucial; worrying about makeup and my appearance falls very low on the list—so low that it rarely makes the cut. If I were as concerned with my looks as I am about keeping the toilets clean, then I might make it a priority. Maybe I should consider that.
My partner thinks I’m attractive no matter what I look like (bless his heart), but I can’t help but wonder if adding a bit of makeup to my routine could bring some excitement or spark to my life. Would it make me feel more lively, perhaps even more fun? Would I feel less like my life revolves solely around my children if I took a little extra time for myself?
I suspect that as my kids grow older, I’ll find more opportunities to dress up and go out. I’ll have more time to shower, look in the mirror, and apply a touch of mascara without a toddler attempting to commandeer my “paintbrush.” But for now, being a makeup-free mom works for me, and my children—especially my opinionated little 3-year-old—seem perfectly fine with it.
For more insights on motherhood and self-care, you can check out our post on home insemination kits, which also emphasizes the importance of prioritizing your well-being. Additionally, if you’re interested in physical activity and its benefits, you might want to explore resources like Intracervical Insemination, which can provide valuable information. For anyone considering pregnancy and home insemination, Healthline is an excellent resource worth exploring.
Summary
This piece reflects on the author’s experiences as a mom who embraces a makeup-free lifestyle. It highlights the amusing interactions with her son, the challenges of finding time for self-care, and the realities of balancing motherhood with personal priorities. The author contemplates the potential benefits of wearing makeup and how her routine may change as her children grow older.