Dare to Bare Challenge

I really had to think long and hard before deciding whether or not to go ahead with this post, as I felt rather nervous -  not because I expected any of you lovely folks to be nasty, but because i'm my worst critic, and all I can see when I look at the picture below is imperfection!
 

I'm hoping that by doing this (and seeing other blogger's similar posts) I might become less self-critical, and realise there is more to life than make-up (ha!).

I can't remember exactly what blog I saw this particular topic on, but I do believe it was started by Nicoletta at Nicoletta's Beauty Space

Her "rules"/guidelines were to simply:

1. Take a photo of yourself with a bare face and post it on your blog

2. Write a few sentences about how it makes you feel.

The moment of truth...

I am not one of those people, unfortunately, who looks good without make-up.

I actually was a bit of a "late starter" in terms of wearing make-up, as I only really started "properly" wearing it in my later years of secondary school, and even then tinted moisturiser, mascara and lipgloss was about all I wore.  I used to be a bit of a tomboy, and whilst I wanted to be one of the pretty girls, I wasn't so fussed about it that I felt the need to trowel my face with foundation and thick eyeliner that many of the other girls were doing.

I can't remember the exact time, but there was, however, a bit of a turning point when I was fed up of being the boring, frumpy tomboy, and since then I am rarely without make-up. I do have days where I don't wear it in the house, but NEVER do I go out without it, and looking at the above picture I think it's obvious why!

I don't necessarily consider myself to be vain (although we all are to an extent!), but as I said i'm aware of my flaws and i've come to rely on make-up to disguise them.

In terms of said flaws, I have been lucky in the sense i've never been afflicted with bad acne or other skin conditions (although I do suffer from psoriasis on my arms), but I in no way have good skin: dark/puffy under-eyes, redness, blackheads/congested skin on my nose and a smattering of spots.

Given that my wedding is next year, i'm hoping to get a proper (suitable) skincare regime sorted out ASAP, which I hope will improve the look/condition of my skin and thus make me more confident to wear less (make-up that is!).

What do you think?

Would you be prepared to bare all?

Melanie x