Going #NOMU |

Feature image: www.starryeyedhopes.wordpress.com

For the past 17 days, I have not worn make-up. It all came about when I bumped into an acquaintance (let’s call her MB) who happens to not wear make-up at all. She washes her face with water and her skin looks fa-bu-lous. For years my mother’s been telling me to stop using products on my face and just wash it with lukewarm water and a clean washcloth. WATER? ONLY? “Uhh… I wear make-up, Ma”, would be my rebutal. My mom has been following her own advice since before my birth and seeing that it worked for her as well as for MB – why shouldn’t it work for me? After all, I am my mother’s daughter. Thus, I decided to under go a full month of washing my face with only water, and to help the process, wear no make up for the full period. I still kept the occasional mascara as it does not touch my face, per se.

I didn’t think of taking pics, but gladly found a reasonable recent pic of me without makeup!

That’s me!

Truthfully, it hasn’t been an easy task but it’s an ongoing interesting one, none the least. I still wanted to keep my routine though: the weekly steam or water fumigation, exfoliation and masks as side orders. But what could I use that would complement my only-water facial regimen? Quick look in my fridge and food cupboard would sum it all up.

Amidst the home ingredients I use, I was given the “White Collection sensorial oil” blend by Lierac for body, hair and face – one of which is argan oil, known for its anti-aging, moisturizing and antioxidant properties – and I have been using it for the past week all over where it benefits. And so far, I love the result, as it doesn’t leave a perpetual oily texture on my face, but is instead is gradually absorbed, protecting my skin and leaving it smooth with a nice glow and moisturized throughout the day.

I recommend trying going NOMU (NO Make Up) for a month at least once a year or more. It gives your skin a break at the same time will remind you that putting make-up is not a necessity, but a process to only enhance what you already beautifully have.

To help you start, I’ll share with you my beauty NOMU regimen for the month:

Cleansing: Warm water and washcloths. Tip: Start with warm water and give your face a good boosting rinse with cold water to close off the pores! Be very gentle around the eye area.

Exfoliating: Water and baking soda. Make a paste and scrub gently. Rinse with lukewarm or cold water. Tip: Baking soda is mild enough to use daily.

Toning: Dab a cold slice of cucumber all over the face or a apple cider vinegar on a cotton pad.

Moisturizing: Raw shea butter (it’s suppose to be yellow, not white) or almond oil with tea tree oil, or my Lierac White Collection sensorial oil(argan oil, grapeseed oil and almond oil).

Water fumigation: As I have a facial steamer, I add to the water 2-3 drops of tea tree oil. Otherwise, cover your head with a towel over a large bowl filled of warm to hot water and steam your face away.

Masks*: For regular days, I like clay masks in which I add a couple of drops of tea tree oil.