The other day, my little boy, in classic 3-year-old style, was trailing behind me as I went about my usual chores. Suddenly, he piped up, “Mommy, please don’t paint your lips again, OK?”
I paused, a bit perplexed. “What do you mean?”
He replied, “Remember when we went to Grandma’s for Mother’s Day, and you painted your lips red? Don’t do that again!”
I chuckled, imagining him envisioning me rummaging through our art supplies, dipping a brush into paint for my lips. Quite the messy thought! Of course, he didn’t like it because, being the picky 3-year-old that he is, any deviation from his routine is unsettling.
What struck me during our exchange is that he’s never seen me wear makeup. To him, it’s a foreign concept. I’ve never really thought of myself as a “no makeup mom,” but I guess that’s exactly what I am. Even before the kids came along, I wasn’t one for heavy makeup. I’ve been fortunate enough to have clear skin, and I always felt that slapping on foundation would only complicate things. Back in my pre-kid days, when I taught English at a university, I might throw on some mascara and lipstick now and then, but even that was hit or miss. Honestly, I only did it because at 25, I wanted to appear more adult to my college students.
I never quite graduated from that awkward phase of trying makeup as a kid; it felt more like dress-up than anything else. Now that I’m fully immersed in motherhood and working from home part-time, I find little reason to wear makeup at all. I only put it on for special occasions, which, let’s be real, are few and far between these days. I might wear makeup for school events for my older son, but that’s mainly because I still feel like a kid myself walking into that environment, and a little mascara helps me pretend to be an adult for a few hours.
Most days, you’ll find me in yoga pants, comfy T-shirts, and cozy sweaters. A productive day is when I’ve managed to shower, let my hair down instead of throwing it in a messy bun, and put on a fresh pair of yoga pants. Whether I’m at home, at the library, or grocery shopping, I stick to this casual vibe. I often see other moms at the park or during school pickups, all glammed up with perfectly styled hair and chic outfits. They look fabulous, and I can’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy. But honestly, how do they do it?
I’m often so overwhelmed with the everyday hustle of life that I barely manage to make lunch, let alone invest time in my appearance. Yes, I prioritize eating (because, you know, survival), feeding my kids, and getting dressed. I shower when I can, but certainly not every day, and I incorporate exercise because my sanity depends on it. Keeping my home somewhat clean is also on my to-do list.
Essentially, my life is so jam-packed that I have to prioritize, and wearing makeup is way down on that list—so much so that it rarely even makes the cut. If I cared about my appearance as much as I do about having clean bathrooms, maybe I would make it a priority. Then again, my husband thinks I look great no matter what, which is sweet of him. Still, I can’t help but wonder if wearing makeup a bit more often would add a spark to my life. Would it make things feel a little less centered around the kids?
I suspect as my children grow older, I might start to focus on my appearance again. There will be more chances to go out, and I might actually have time to apply a bit of mascara without a toddler trying to snatch my “paintbrush.” But for now, I’m embracing the makeup-free mom life. It works for me, and my kids—especially my little critic—certainly don’t seem to mind.
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Summary
In this humorous reflection, a busy mom shares her experiences with makeup—or lack thereof—in the context of motherhood. She discusses how her son’s innocent comments about her makeup use reveal that he has never seen her in makeup, leading her to realize that she prioritizes other aspects of her life over beauty routines. While she admires other moms who manage to look polished, she embraces her makeup-free lifestyle, finding that it suits her current phase of life.