3 Reasons Why I Don’t Wear Makeup (And Why You Might Not Need To Either)
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By Minna Wong, Founder of Qoolness Skincare
Let’s be real—makeup can be fun, empowering, even artistic. But for me, it’s just not part of my daily life. I haven’t worn makeup in years, and I don’t plan on going back. Not because I think it’s wrong, or because I want to prove a point. I just made peace with my face—and I want to share why.
If you’ve ever felt pressured to cover up, perfect, or perform for the world, this blog might give you a little freedom. Here are the three core reasons why I don’t wear makeup, and why I believe you don’t have to either.
1. I Was Born with Eczema—So I Learned to Work With My Skin, Not Against It
I’ve had eczema since birth. For those who’ve never experienced it, it’s not “just dry skin.” It’s itchy, inflamed, red, cracked, and unpredictable. My skin would flare up in random places—around my eyes, on my cheeks, along my jawline—and anything I put on it could trigger more irritation. For me, makeup wasn’t just a beauty routine—it was a battle.
And here’s the thing: it wasn’t the makeup’s fault. But the layers of product, the fragrances, the preservatives, the removers—they were all too much for my already sensitive skin. Even when I tried the “hypoallergenic” or “clean beauty” brands, my skin often felt worse, not better. So I made the decision to stop trying to hide what was happening and start learning how to heal it instead.
I began focusing on skincare that supported my skin’s natural barrier, reduced inflammation, and respected my body’s unique needs. That journey eventually inspired me to create Qoolness—a line of skincare born from personal experience and deep intention. My products don’t just feel good, they do good—especially for people like me who’ve been dismissed or frustrated by conventional beauty.
Do I still get the occasional flare-up? Sometimes. But I no longer live in fear of breakouts, reactions, or redness. I’ve learned to listen to my skin, not silence it.
2. Makeup Costs Time and Money—And I’d Rather Invest in Me
Let’s talk about the math for a second. The average woman spends hundreds, even thousands of dollars per year on makeup products: foundation, concealer, primer, bronzer, highlighter, mascara, lipstick, setting spray. And let’s not forget the tools: brushes, sponges, cleansers, removers.
Then there’s the time. Getting “presentable” every morning takes how long? 20 minutes? 30? More?
I decided I didn’t want to spend that time painting on a version of myself—I wanted to invest that time in becoming myself. Reading. Meditating. Creating skincare formulas. Drinking coffee slowly. Taking care of my actual skin instead of covering it.
Every day without makeup is a quiet act of rebellion against the idea that I need to enhance myself to be worthy. I still believe in taking care of myself—but now I do it in a way that fills me up, not empties my wallet or drains my energy.
3. Nobody Looks at You the Way You Look at You
This one is big.
We are so hard on ourselves. We zoom in on every pore, every freckle, every fine line like we’re under a microscope. We tell ourselves stories about what others must be thinking—when in reality, no one is analyzing you that closely. The people who love you see your joy, your expression, your heart. Not whether your under-eye circles are visible today.
Here’s a truth that took me years to understand:
Most of the beauty standards we chase are based on insecurities we’ve been sold.
And the harshest judge in the room? It’s usually us.
When I stopped wearing makeup, I had to face myself—literally. I had to learn to appreciate the softness, the imperfections, the character in my skin. I had to find comfort in my natural glow and trust that it was enough.
And once I stopped focusing on what I lacked, I started noticing what I had: resilience, warmth, a sparkle in my eyes that no highlighter could ever replicate.
Final Thoughts: I Choose to Feel My Beauty
Makeup is a personal choice. If it makes you feel powerful, wear it proudly. But for me, giving it up was an act of self-love. It meant learning how to nourish my skin from the inside out. It meant creating my own skincare that honored my needs. And it meant freeing myself from a mirror that always asked me to fix something.
I don’t wear makeup because I choose to feel my beauty—not apply it.
I’ve lived with eczema, made peace with my skin, and finally learned to see myself clearly. And I’m here to tell you: you don’t need to be flawless to be beautiful.
You just need to be you.
Want to glow without the cover-up?
Discover my handmade, clean, and nourishing formulas designed for real skin—eczema-prone, menopausal, and everything in between. Because your skin should feel as beautiful as you are.
#FeelYourBeauty #NoMakeupConfidence #EczemaWarrior #GlowNaturally #SkincareOverCoverup #QoolnessSkincare #NaturalIsPowerful #BornThisWaySkin #CleanBeautyForRealLife