My "Au Naturale Experiment"

All right, not that I'm defensive or anything, but that's my current close up photo at the moment. And no, there was not a single part of my face that was edited by Photoshop. Though my current photo is not exactly "fashionable" (not even close to "pretty"), I'm proud to say its "Au Naturale".

I'm currently trying this "Au Naturale Experiment" where you totally skip the foundation, blush-on, liner, primer, eyeshadow and highlighter with exemption to mascara and lip gloss (lipstick is optional as long as its natural. Doesn't have to be pale). This way, I can re-apply either my oil-free moisturizer or my sunblock. Is press powder exempted? No (Oh, the horror! How do you control the shine?) I use oil blotting paper. It absorbs the oil and at the same time won't hide your skin's natural glow.

Alright, I have to be honest with you. This "Au Naturale Experiment" needs one important factor. A clear face. Let me broaden, you must have a pimple free and even toned skin. I know that's very hard to achieve. I don't have a "perfect skin" at all but I try my best to achieve it.

My very simple, and very short skin care routine for the summer is to cleanse my face with Ivory (currently in love with its Aloe scent), tone my face using .010% Tretinoin and 2% Hydroquinone solution and moisturize with DHC Alpha-Arbutin Milk. Another important thing, please don't forget groom your eyebrows.

Believe me when I say that you'll experience an increase number of pimple, blackhead and whitehead for a week or two. Its the effect of the tretinoin and hydroquinone. Afterwards, say hello to a new, firmer, smoother, clearer and whiter skin! A warning though, you're skin will be very sensitive to the sun. Use your sunblock (you should use it even if you're not in tretinoin and hydroquinone) and re apply every two hours at the very least.

I have to say I'm very happy with the results of my experiment at the moment. I feel as if resting my face from tons of make-up had dramatically improved my face. I do respect every individual's taste in make-up but I think this no-make up look fits me perfectly well.

Oh one more thing, being able to re apply my oil free moisturizer and sunblock through out the day makes me feel as if I'm nourish my skin 24/7. It actually makes me feel good. So I guess this experiment for me is a success!

The last thing I want people to say behind my back is "She's not really that pretty if you take aways that 10 layers of make-up off her face..."