Makeup: To Wear, or Not to Wear -- That is the Question.

I was recently told by a friend that I don't need to wear so much eye-makeup. I am not going to mention any names, to protect the innocent, but let's just say her name might rhyme with Shmelissa. I was not offended by her thoughts of less is more for me, she was not calling me ugly or anything -- I think it was quite the opposite. She was trying to tell me that I am so amazingly beautiful, that I should go makeup free, and flaunt it. Right, Shmelissa? 

She is not the only one who has told me to ditch the eyeliner. On Sunday mornings, I get ready in the mirror with my 12 year old daughter. There have been countless times where Sammi has told me she likes me better without makeup. She claims I look more like "mom" that way, and that I look "normal." I can't help but chuckle over having a teenage daughter advising her mother to ditch the makeup! Ha! (This is the same girl who gets mad at me if I photoshop any zits off her face, because she says her zits are part of who she is!) Who is this girl? I mean really? Talk about confidence!

After having the discussions with my friend and daughter, I decided I should take the less-is-more suggestions to Charles, to see what he would think. As a creature of habit, I have done my makeup the same for about 15 years, or more! I had never really considered changing my ways.

So, a few Sundays ago, I put on mascara and no eyeliner, and I sat in front of Charles and asked him how I looked without the thicker eye-makeup. (I usually only get dolled-up when I go out, or on Sundays.) I told him to be honest, which he always is with me, and that is why I love him. He took a good look at my face, and he determined that I looked washed-out and tired. Which is what I thought, too -- my eyes felt naked. And that is what almost everyone says when they see me without makeup, "Are you OK? Are you tired? Are you sick?" they ask. "No, I'm just not wearing makeup!" After his proper assessment, I ran back into the bathroom, and finished caking-on the rest of my eyeliner, and I felt whole again. I felt like me again. And Charles, well, let's just say that made him happy. He loves the way I do my eyes. They are the same eyes he fell in love with, all those 14 years ago...

When Charles met me I had spunky hair, and I wore loads of makeup. I put on my best display of me. And as we all know, guys marry girls and never want them to change, while girls marry guys and hope that they will change. Usually the opposite happens. But as women, I think it is kind of false-advertising to be all flashy and alluring -- like bait on a hook -- and then "let it all go" once you caught them, don't you? Even though I may not always be "flashy and alluring", I am always on a quest to be a better me -- not just give-up, throw in the towel, and go full-on frump, on purpose.

Now, don't get me wrong, Charles loves me regardless of whether or not I smear tar on my lashes, or dab powder on my face. Most of the time I am sporting the all-natural look. If you came over today I would be sporting yesterdays eye-makeup! I am not saying you have to paint on makeup everyday of the week, but when you can -- go for it! Make yourself as beautiful as you can be.

I think makeup -- especially eye-makeup -- is wonderful! I have seen it transform plain to pretty, and washed-out to WOW! Even just a little can make a HUGE difference in how you look and feel. I know it can transform me. Add a little brushing through the rats-nest, and magic happens!

I am afraid, dear friend, and dear daughter -- my eye-makeup is here to stay! What can I do? Charles likes it -- so he wins. And, well, I like it too!  I am sure I will be one of those adorable little old ladies who still puts thick eyeliner on top of the wrinkles. Yep, that will be me.

So what do you think?  What is your opinion?

How do you feel about makeup? Do you love it, or hate it? Is less more, or more even better?!

I know you have an opinion!

And I know you are out there . . . and I know you are reading this. :-)