No Makeup Mondays: Because even makeup artists need a day off

I like to celebrate what I call Ragamuffin Mondays, a day when I dress comfy, and give my hair and makeup a break. It’s a nice way to take a day off from layering on tons of makeup and hair products. I find that the perfect day to do this is on Monday, and for a few reasons: 1. the salon is closed on Monday; 2. it’s hard to muster up the energy to go all out after the weekend; and 3. because it’s good to do something nice for yourself on a day that is typically considered draining. 

Just because you decide not to wear makeup, doesn’t mean you should completely neglect your face. In fact, this is the perfect opportunity to treat it with respect. On days that I give my face a break and let it breathe, I, at the very least do three things: 1. wash my face and apply a moisturizer with SPF; 2. apply Burt’s Bees Pomegranate lip balm liberally; 3. mist Rosewater around my face. (Not only do I keep this in my purse for its aromatherapy properties, but it also works great to hydrate before makeup, or set afterwards.) 

For those who want to primp, preen, or pamper their skin, I would recommend the following regimen: 

   • Step One: Wash your face.

   • Step Two: Apply a primer or serum to tone, treat, and moisturize.

   • Step Three: Buy and apply a fresh face mask from LUSH Cosmetics in Cherry Creek Mall.

These masks are about $7, contain no preservatives (and therefore only last two weeks in the fridge), and are useful for a variety of skin issues. Plus, if you return 5 pots to LUSH so they can be recycled, you get a free mask! My personal favorites are Brazened Honey (A detoxifying, brightening, and moisturizing blend of clay, almonds, honey, and Indian herbs); Catastrophe Cosmetic (A blueberry-based mask with rose that calms and softens the skin, while reducing redness); and Oatifix (a simply moisturizing mask that smells like you could pop it in the oven and bake muffins). I may or may not have tasted that mask in the past. 

After applying the mask, you let it dry about 10 minutes, and then rinse, using circular motions to exfoliate the skin. Afterwards, if you used an exfoliating or drying mask, you should apply a moisturizer. And that’s it! You can treat yo’self in just 15 minutes and go out with naturally radiant skin that gets attention without the assistance of cosmetics.