The Beauty of Going Makeup Free

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There are few things I love more in this world than the feeling of sand in your toes, salt on your skin the sight of a gorgeous sunset before anyone else is awake. One of those things is going sans makeup. I’ve never been much of a “beauty” girl and when I do opt to paint the face, I typically go for as close to natural as possible. When I’m on vacation, there’s a 99.9% chance you won’t find me in makeup at all. Whether I’m going out at night or frolicking on the beach, I like to keep things as carefree as possible.

I just think there is something so beautiful about a woman who lets herself be that vulnerable. We tend to rely on makeup or clothes or retouching or hair to hide insecurities. We compare ourselves to others and go after that one “look” that seems the most popular. But when it comes down to it, going after that natural sense of beauty is something I can really appreciate.

Sure, it’s harder to feel as beautiful when you can’t hide behind the mascara or lipstick. Believe me, I get it. I have short, frizzy hair and am usually not as bronzed as I’d like to be – but when I can muster up the confidence to rock what I was born with, I feel so sexy. And as cliche as it sounds, even Brandon tells me he thinks I look more beautiful without makeup.

All of this was going through my head as I prepped for my last shoot before leaving Cape Town. I was set to meet Nina at 6:00am so we could head to Camps Bay Beach and all I could think about was, “man, I don’t feel like putting on makeup to go to the beach and take photos”. It would have been so unnatural. So, I decided to throw some water in my hair, slip into my swimsuit and head out au natural.

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I’m so glad I did because I look at these photos and don’t think I could look any prettier. And I don’t mean that in a vain way. Now, yes, I am more bronzed than normal (god bless that South African sun) and Nina may or may not have smoothed out a few of my wrinkles here and there — but seriously, I feel like I look the most beautiful this way. Maybe it’s the vulnerability and the confidence or maybe it’s just the fact that I’m in this beautiful scene in the most natural way I can be (without being naked) or maybe it’s because my curves are out for the world to see. Whatever it is, I love it for me.

Even if you’re not a blogger, I encourage all my ladies to do a little photo shoot every now and then. Embrace those vulnerabilities and then gawk at your gorgeous photos after the fact!

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When and how do you feel the most beautiful? Sound off below!

the perfect swimsuit to make you glow!

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Photos by Nina Zimolong