I have been told several times that I look younger without makeup. When my mother was in the hospital about a year ago I had no energy to put on makeup, so I would visit her ‘au naturale’. Every nurse that came in asked me which school I went to - and they didn't mean university, they meant high school. They all thought this 34 year old woman was a high-schooler.

You would think this would keep me away from the makeup, right? Hell no - I enjoy wearing it, and it makes me actually feel like an adult. Especially with the response I get when I'm not wearing it.

EDIT: Due to the large number of comments asking for more photos, please check out my answer to: Quora User's answer to What do you look like when you get out of bed vs. when you leave the house?

Here I am fresh faced with no makeup on:

And here I am with full makeup (just for fun - I even stenciled on a fake beauty mark!)

I will point out that the picture above is an extreme example of me in makeup. Usually I wear about half this much for my daily routine.

Wow- I didn't expect such a reaction to my photo where I thought I was looking glam! (I honestly selected the first two photos in my phone that were non makeup vs makeup) Here is a photo of how I look on a more day-to-day basis:

Update: thank you for all the compliments saying that I look better without makeup! I certainly wasn't trying to come off as fishing for compliments, so I just wanted to expand on this a little…

I enjoy makeup. For me it is fun to create different looks with it, and I enjoy the fact that I can change my appearance with a little mascara or eyeliner. It makes me feel like I am more put together, and I feel more like a member of society. On the other hand, I also enjoy not wearing makeup! It is much simpler to get ready in the morning if I don't have to put it on. So dear reader - while I will most likely not stop using makeup, I will take your kind words to heart and maybe spend one or two days a week ‘au naturale’ :)

Update: Bonus Photos! I have been scouring my phone for more photos of makeup vs none, so here are two more! This is a before and after of myself after getting a professional makeover, complete with false eyelashes: