By Marlo Enrico

Every year Catholics practice a tradition called Lent, during which they give up something that will be challenging for 40 days. The 40 days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry.

For me, Lent has been about breaking bad habits, and becoming closer to God. Two years ago, when I was 18 I decided to give up make-up for Lent. Up until that day, I had worn make-up every single day since I was 11 years old. It was so bad that I would not even leave my room without it on.

I was so afraid that people would make fun of my appearance, or call me ugly if I didn’t have it on. Or somehow I wouldn’t make as much money in tips at my job if I didn’t have it on.

And one of my biggest fears was what my boyfriend would think of me if I didn’t wear any. What happened instead shocked me….

1.The first day I had terrible anxiety

It was very difficult to convince myself that I was going to be fine if I didn’t wear make-up. When I took the first steps out of my dorm room, it felt like I was walking outside naked. I didn’t want anyone to see me, and I found myself acting more shy than normal. It took about three days to finally feel like my normal self.

2.My skin improved

I had terrible acne for most of my life. I used to pack on foundation to try to cover it up, but all it did was cover up the problem—I still had acne underneath the make-up. All it did was cause the problem to become bigger. After quitting make-up for 40 days my skin cleared up drastically. I still had a couple blemishes, but it was nothing like it was before. Quitting make-up allowed my skin to finally breath again.

3. My tips didn’t change

Everything about my job stayed exactly the same. The costumers’ treated me just like they did when I had make-up, and they tipped me just as much as they did before. This helped me realize that most people don’t really care if you wear make-up or not.

4. It saved me a lot of time getting ready in the morning

When I was 18 I used to work at 5 a.m., 6 days a week. I would wake up at 3:30 a.m. to have enough time to straighten my hair and do my make-up. It was about an hour-long process. During Lent it only took me about 5 minutes to get ready. This allowed me to get nearly an hour of extra sleep, which as a college student, was a dire need.

5. It saved me money

I had not realized how much I was spending on make-up till I quit wearing it. I would go through a tube of foundation and bronzer almost every two or three weeks. They usually run about $20 for the brand that I use, and with that price it can really add up over time.

6. I became less vain

I used to be so obsessed over my appearance. The more I keep thinking about how much I used to stare at myself in the mirror and critique every possible flaw I may have the more it grosses me out. It is so insane how much of my life I spent worrying about what other people think of my appearance, and practically beating myself up over it. Going barefaced helped me realize that no one else is critiquing my appearance except myself.

7. My boyfriend didn’t change how he felt about me

I was worried that when I quit wearing make-up he was going to be embarrassed to be seen with me. I thought that he wouldn’t ask me to go anywhere public, or that he would ask me if I was going to put my make-up on. None of that happened. I had asked him if he cared that I wasn’t wearing make-up. His reply, “I think you are beautiful with or without make-up. I love you for you, not your appearance.” All he cared about was that I felt comfortable with myself, which is how it should be. But in my head I thought that in reality he would reject me. Giving up make-up proved that my boyfriend—who I have been with for more than two years—really did love me for who I am on the inside and not what I look like on the outside.

8. I became a better role model for my younger sisters

My sisters had just started approached their preteen and teenage years when I gave up make-up. And they started having the same problems that I had growing up. They too struggled with frizzy hair, acne, and the not so perfect self-esteem. As their big sister they look up to me, and decisions I make will leave an impression on them. When I look at them I see three beautiful young girls, and it would kill me inside if they felt that putting on makeup was a necessity before going anywhere. Before giving up make-up, it was hard for me to tell them that they’re all naturally beautiful and that they don’t need cosmetics while I was wearing make-up every time they saw me. Looking at them helped me realize that I need to give the same advice that I gave them, to myself.

9. I realized I don’t owe the world a pretty face

No one is obligated to have to look nice every moment of every day. You are not required to have to be picture perfect. It’s okay to show the natural face God gave you. If anyone says anything about your appearance then that has more to do with their character than it does with your beauty. You can’t let other people bring your self- esteem down, and you most certainly not do it it yourself. I spent too much of my life giving myself terrible anxiety about my appearance, and beat myself up over not looking perfect. It was a waste of time, energy, and what could’ve been my confidence.

10. My confidence grew

After Lent it became a lot easier to go without makeup. I stopped thinking it was a necessity. I am now able to feel comfortable in my skin. I don’t feel the need to do and retouch my makeup every moment of every day, and I’m able to enjoy life a lot more than I used to. I look back at myself and think about how ridiculous I used to be. I appreciate the face God gave me a lot more than I used to. Giving up make-up was a very hard challenge, but I’m glad I did it because it lifted most of my anxiety away and helped me feel better about not only my appearance, but who I am as a person.