Get excited, people: We have some new pics for you to feast on. In case you missed it, last Monday, inspired by Rabbit Write’s no-makeup week, we threw down a gaunlet of our own: Just one day, leave the house and go do something (anything, really) without makeup on, then send us a pic! This was not meant as any kind of diss to makeup; we love the stuff. But when you apply it day-in, day-out, you might very well forget what you look like without it. And according to some recent studies, a whole lot of women are afraid of going bare-faced.
What we learned? Well, see for yourself: We think these women look gorgeous. With all the heavy foundation, spray tans and photoshopping we’re accustomed to, there’s something almost exciting about seeing so many unadulterated faces. Wouldn’t you agree?
And now a round of applause please for the brave beauties featured above:
1. Jenn, Los Angeles; 2. Aster, Ultrecht, Netherlands; 3. Kristina, Greeley, Colorado; 4. Lauren, Toronto; 5. Shannon, who also posted, from Bend, Oregon; 6. Kimmy, Plano, Texas; 7. Karen, Durham; 8. Brianna, Los Angeles; 9. Maria, Barranquilla, Colombia; 10. Tina, New York; 11. Katie, Toronto; 12. Anne and Octavia, Toronto; 13. Mia Davis from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, Boston; 14. Katherine, who also posted; 15. Meaghan-Rose; 16. Nicola, Toronto; 17. Samantha, who also posted; 18. Laura; 19. Cat; 20. Carolina, Los Angeles; 21. Michelle, Montreal; 22. Sara, New York; 23. Marisa, New York; 24. Leeyanne, Charlottesville, Virginia; 25. Simone from Simoneleblanc.com, Los Angeles; 26. Kaity, New York; 27. Kim and Sukie, London; 28. Sarah, New York; 29. Emma, of Pastfashionfuture.com, New York; 30. Katy, Philadelphia; 31. Olivia, Rhode Island; 32. Kelly, Austin; 33. Erika, New York; 34. Jessa, from Bladesnaturalbeauty.com, New York; 35. Maeve, Montreal; 36. Tosha, from Essentially Basic, Midway, Utah; 37. Ione, Sechelt, British Columbia; 38. Christine, Los Angeles; 39. Trudi; 40. Kate, New York; 41. Cyrena Lee, New York; 42. Katherine, New York; 43. Virginia from Beautyschooledproject.com, New York; 44. Shine, from Ishineoutloud.com
It’s been a week of excesses. Or, maybe make that a few weeks…
First we had our book party at Evolue, followed days later by the launch in New York with Jessa Blades and Kahina. Top those good times off with a blast of a birthday for our dear friend Anna then a wedding bonanza for beloved couple Katie and Matt. Needless to say it’s been a hoot—and we’ve been together—so double that fun.
But here’s a little secret about me, and I’m willing to bet some of you can identify: I tend to, well, over-celebrate. That’s not to say I end up dancing on tables, forgetting an evening’s events, or getting dragged out of parties by my afro. No no, nothing quite like that. I just don’t always stop when I should—especially when there’s an abundance of good food and wine on hand—and then I overcompensate by making really strict rules for myself.
Sound familiar to anyone else? In a blink of an eye I go from total party to total ascetic, often to the confusion of those around me.
There’s got to be a better way—like one that involves fewer rules, less guilt and fewer hangovers.
So this week, instead of making promises (usually broken) to myself about how I won’t have a sip of wine or a bite of cheese—how instead I will drink ginger tea, stand on my head and meditate every day at dawn—I’m going to try on moderation. A glass of wine, or even two? Sure. Some cheese and some hip openers? Why not.
Let the balance begin, yeah?
Image via
It’s Monday morning folks and I am throwing down another challenge for myself (and you). This week I was in New York for our launch party (so fun!)—hosted by the lovely Katharine L’Heureux of Kahina Giving Beauty—and I got to doing something I rarely do in Los Angeles: walk.
Walking just 30 minutes a day offers an array of health benefits, and unlike jogging it doesn’t strain the body. We humans are made for walking, and while many of us subscribe to the no-pain-no-gain theory of exercise, studies seem to support the opposite.
For instance women who walk (briskly, mind you) for just three hours a week cut their chance of stroke by up to 30 or 40 percent. Regular walking has also been shown to help women seriously stave off weight gain as they approach menopause. Of course it comes with all of the same mood-boosting, circulation-increasing perks as regular exercise (which means it’s also good for your skin).
Walking can be wonderfully meditative too. Try this sometime: Take a walk and use the rhythm of your steps as a kind of metronome by which to lengthen your breath around. Inhale for four steps (or whatever feels comfortable), exhale for eight steps. Boom, you just meditated.
I’m going to try to walk for 30 minutes every day this week. Who’s in?
