Dare to bare: Real women discuss going bare faced, no makeup
How we’re all being tempted by “skinimalism” — a more natural look and a natural beauty regime
Text: Joel T
Makeup has been used by humans since at least the 1st Dynasty of Egypt (c.3100-2907 BC) when women would blacken their eyelashes and lid with kohl. Fast forward to 2021, and it seems little has changed, with the Singapore beauty market worth an estimated US$1.74 billion.
However, increased time spent at home and fewer social interactions have changed our beauty regimes. A survey conducted last year found that 40 percent of respondents in Singapore were spending less on cosmetics or makeup products during the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, one of 2021’s biggest beauty trends is skin minimalism, or “skinimalism”, as coined by experts. Pinterest’s Predicts 2021 report hailed skinimalism as “the new glow up” and as “the end of the cake-on make-up look”. Instead, the report states that we’ll be focusing on creating “dewy, natural beauty looks” that look great on camera and those endless Zoom calls.
This month, as we focus on self-love, confidence and what it means to embrace every part of ourselves, we asked five women living in Singapore about the benefits of wearing no makeup, embracing bare face beauty and natural beauty. Here’s what they told us:
‘Wearing less and spending more’
“The circuit breaker was a really stressful time for many people,” says May, a digital marketer. “Like many, I was earning a lower salary than usual, and finances were tight. Aside from money spent on takeaways, beauty and cosmetics were my second biggest saving.”
Beauty ranks among the top eCommerce categories in Singapore, so if kickstarting your savings is a key personal goal for 2021, going makeup-free is a good place to begin.
‘Letting my skin breathe’
“I always put on a full face of makeup even when I’m working from home,” admits Marni, who works in recruitment and has several Zoom calls with clients each day. “I feel that it really sets me up and gets me into work mode — I don’t feel ready for my workday without it.”
Whilst Marni continues to apply makeup at home, it’s when she steps outside that she’s more likely to do so with clean skin and no makeup. “I find that the combination of the humid Singapore weather and wearing a mask made my skin breakout quite badly, so I am actually less likely to wear makeup when I leave my house than when I stay home!”
If you’re still applying a full makeup look beneath your mask, it’s key to develop a skincare routine that works for you and includes a cleaner and moisturiser.
‘Natural products are my go-to’
The sustainability spotlight has been shining on the beauty industry in recent years, and Covid-19 has only served to increase demand for natural beauty products.
“Since I’ve been outside less, and therefore not as concerned about pollution or the sun on my skin (which had previously propelled my skincare routine), I decided to start opting for natural products during lockdown,” says Sophia, who works in finance.
“My desire to switch up my beauty routine was fuelled by the fact that I used the pandemic period to really focus on ‘self-love’; I started working out a lot more, made sure I was drinking plenty of water, and thinking about my diet. All of these factors contributed to the fact that my skin is clearer and healthier that it ever has been.”
‘Self-love for my skin’
On the subject of self-love and confidence, Steph, who is a fitness instructor, finds that wearing less makeup helps her to feel more confident. “I used to pile on makeup when I was younger, however, since pursuing a career in fitness, it’s obviously not the most practical option, as it slides off my face the moment I break a sweat.”
She continues, “Whilst I initially found it quite difficult to leave the house makeup free, I am now definitely a lot more confident as a result. For one thing, my face doesn’t look drastically different throughout the day!”
‘The time saved is amazing’
Sam, a management consultant told The Soothe; “Lockdown definitely changed my makeup habits. I rarely bother with eye makeup anymore. When I think about the time I used to spend applying eyeliner and trying to remove my mascara, it makes me feel a little bit sad — hours that I’ll never get back!”
The Soothe’s favourite natural makeup
If you’re considering taking a more natural approach to your beauty regime, here are some of our favourites to help get you started:
Mad Hippie Cleansing Oil (SGD 17.64 for 59ml)
Vegan and cruelty-free, Mad Hippie Cleansing Oil is the perfect alternative to harsh cleansers, and naturally removes makeup (PSA, it also smells amazing!) and cleans skin. Organic safflower oil gently lifts dirt and softens skin, whilst ginger naturally tones the skin and reduces discolouration, and white tea rejuvenates.
Mukti Organics Tinted Moisturiser with Sunscreen (AUD 64.95 for 50ml)
This super lightweight moisturiser is the ideal product to ease you into completely baring all — the sheer tint provides even, natural-looking coverage, whilst Zinc Oxide filters UVA and UVB rays.
