Eyeliner. Mascara. Lip gloss.

Remember when that’s all you would put on before leaving the house? Rather it be to go to school or to a party? Eye shadow was reserved for special events like school dances and proms and a nice event at church? If you were really feeling yourself, you would put on some dark brown or black liner and then slap some roller ball flavored lip gloss on with it? Maybe change the black liner above your lid to some white liner? Fancy.

For the past few years, we have seen understated makeup take a backseat. I didn’t even think about this until I was having a conversation with my friend, Christina, and she asked me a question. “Were we better looking when all we wore was eyeliner, mascara and lip gloss?” Through my eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara, filled in brows, concealer, foundation, blush, and lipstick I answered, “yes”.

As I sat there and answered my friend with an honest yes, I thought about those days when all I had was mascara, eyeliner and lip gloss. Flavored lip gloss or the gloss that had a little pink or tan tint to it. Before the MAC counter was an everyday thing. When getting my makeup done was only for special occasions. When going to lunch or shopping with my friends didn’t require a beat face.

Please don’t read this and think that I am bashing makeup. Because for those of you that know me, know I love makeup. But for the past few weeks, I have gone back to the basics for everyday wear. Eyeliner, mascara and lip gloss. That’s it. I have even stopped wearing concealer on a daily basis and that does not happen!!! No gawd! But I feel free in a way and I can sleep in a little bit in the mornings. Now when I put my makeup on to go to dinner, an event, or just out for drinks, it feels more special than it did before. Doesn’t feel like a routine. I feel like I’m getting cute for a purpose, not just because that is what I’m supposed to do because that is the norm.

So if it’s in you, try to just wear eyeliner, mascara and lip gloss just once a week and think about the old times when that’s all you really did.