fizkes - stock.adobe.com For some women, putting on makeup in the morning is a nonnegotiable part of the day. But for others, it slows them down and adds obstacles to an already-hectic schedule. In a thread on r/AskReddit, women who opt out of cosmetics entirely are sharing the reasons behind their simplified, natural-face routines. As the comments suggest, the stripped-down aesthetic can make ladies feel (and look) great. Redditors weigh in on everything from the financial savings to the surprising freedom of maintaining a bare face. 1. Rejecting the professional double standard Unspoken social conventions often put pressure on women to enhance their features for the workplace, causing some to push back against the disparity. Comment in r/AskReddit Because I insist that my unaltered face should be able to exist on equal terms with its male counterparts. Comment in r/AskReddit This! I went to a company sales meeting a few years ago that was 98% male. And I was getting ready that first morning I sat there and wondered how many of those men were putting on makeup and I literally just decided at that moment never again. I washed my face of the makeup I had already put on and slathered on plain lotion and went on my way, damp hair and all. F it. I’ve never looked back. Plus my husband prefers me without all that crap anyway. It’s been freeing and amazing. I love not wearing makeup and the confidence it’s given me. 2. Treating a bare face as the default Redditors point out that a natural appearance requires no explanation, flipping the assumption that applying beauty products should be an automatic choice. Comment in r/AskReddit Surely wearing makeup is a choice and not wearing it is the default. Comment in r/AskReddit I also "choose" to not spin in a circle 3 times before laying down and I "choose" to not shave my head every morning or any other number of things Men, do you wake up and "choose" to not put on makeup? Or do you just wear your normal human face? 3. Skipping the unnecessary comments Inconsistent makeup usage often invites unwanted concerns about health or energy levels, redditors note, making it culturally easier to simply abstain from the start. Comment in r/AskReddit During covid when we did so many early morning web meetings, I got annoyed that I had to get up a little earlier to put on some make-up so that my annoying male colleague wouldn't comment on my appearance or whether I was sick or not. Eventually I stopped turning on the camera even though we were 'encouraged' to. Comment in r/AskReddit Saving 15 mins every morning. Plus when you wear make up all the time then one day you just don't feel like applying, everyone is always like "you look tired" or "you look sick". But, on the flip side! If you hardly ever wear make up then one day you decide to apply it, suddenly everyone is saying how pretty you look! 😂 edit - spelling 4. Valuing sleep over beauty routines Getting extra rest before a busy day holds far more appeal for certain commenters than spending time blending foundation or perfecting winged eyeliner. Comment in r/AskReddit Same. Every time someone says "it only takes me 20 minutes," all I hear is "20 more minutes of sleep." Comment in r/AskReddit Yeah at my job I tried the first few months but then realized I cohld sleep an extra 20-30 minutes. 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year that's 86 hours a year on the low end of effort I didn't need to be putting in and sleep I wasn't getting. 5. Avoiding uncomfortable sensory issues The physical feeling of cosmetics sitting heavily on the skin can be distracting and irritating in some cases, leading people to shun applying anything. Comment in r/AskReddit Sensory issues, I don’t like it on my face it makes me want to peel my face off when it’s on Comment in r/AskReddit Same. I hate the way it feels on my face... it's uncomfortable. Plus I just don't want to wear it. I may wear lipstick every so often, but even that the feeling of it bothers me. 6. Feeling like an impostor Enhancing features to a dramatic degree can create a disconnect when looking in the mirror, leaving a person feeling as though they are wearing a mask rather than expressing themselves. Comment in r/AskReddit When i put on makeup it feels like I am pretending or clowning myself Comment in r/AskReddit I started to feel this way in 2020. It’s a “that’s not me” feeling when you look in the mirror. Besides, at my age I feel like makeup looks worse than my regular face. It accentuates my wrinkles more than covers anything up. So I shifted my focus from makeup to skincare and my face consistently looks bright, moisturized, and healthy. 7. Escaping the financial drain Between restocking favorite shades and replacing expired cosmetic products, curating a full makeup collection requires a budget that could easily go toward other areas. Comment in r/AskReddit Honestly. People get excited when they only spend $200 at Sephora. There are so many other things I could get to make me happy for $200. Comment in r/AskReddit I never wear makeup but was getting married and wanted to look nice. Asked my glam friend to take me shopping to grab some things to help with photos. $350! I put over half of it back and forgot most of it at home when I went to do my makeup before the ceremony 😅. And I still think I look weird in the photos. Not myself. 8. Never learning the application skills Missing out on early instructional phases or struggling to see clearly without glasses may make the learning process too frustrating to pursue in adulthood. Comment in r/AskReddit I've always been too much of a tomboy to want to do these things. Wanted to try out goth style makeup when I was 20 but it seemed too complicated Comment in r/AskReddit Too expensive. Was never taught how. Didn't think it would look good with glasses 9. Refusing to hide natural traits Heavy foundations sometimes erase charming natural features, prompting many to celebrate their unedited appearance instead of burying it under powder. Comment in r/AskReddit It covers up all my freckles and I don't look like me at all Comment in r/AskReddit Same about the freckles, and for the rest I just felt like it didn’t make me look better. Like, I look just as good without 🤷 A lot of eye makeup is black and that doesn’t look good when your skin and hair are super light imo. Sure you can do other colors but that doesn’t look right either. 10. Dreading the nighttime removal process The commitment does not end once the application is done, as thoroughly washing away stubborn mascara requires energy many prefer not to expend when they "just want to go to bed." Comment in r/AskReddit Oil based foundations are the devil for me. I can have clear skin in the morning and have breakouts by the end of the night. Plus, I feel like no matter how much I wash my face it just never comes off as well as water based. And I have yet to figure out a way to fully remove waterproof mascara so I don't have panda eyes the next morning. Comment in r/AskReddit You make me feel seen. I have to lean over the sink and stick my face in the mirror, and my hands are never steady so I try to put my elbow down to steady them, and it's just a contortionist act. I know taking it off at night shouldn't seem like a big deal but I just want to go to bed. And then my skin feels extra gross in the morning and my pillowcase is icky. Just not worth it. Choosing to go barefaced comes down to personal comfort, time management, and aesthetic preferences. Redditors make it clear that — while makeup can bring happiness to those who embrace it — stepping away from the eyeliner can be a freeing, less expensive, more restful experience. Want more insights on refining your daily routine? Read the full thread in r/AskReddit, and find more discussions like this in r/TwoXChromosomes, r/WomensHealth, and r/CasualConversation. This story highlights the perspectives of Reddit users, not Reddit, Inc. Some posts or comments may be lightly edited for clarity. Questions or concerns? Contact us at upvoted@reddit.com.