30×30 day 11: Relaxed.
I wore this on Monday. It was my day off, so I decided to forego makeup (partly assisted by the fact that I spent most of the day with a friend and didn’t have time to do my makeup before she got to my house), but at the very last minute I decided to curl my hair before I was off to see Mr. Owl.
I’ve been feeling a lot more confident without makeup lately. I credit this greatly to Beauty Mint— I haven’t done a follow up blog about how I’m liking it, but I can tell you that exactly a week before these pictures were taken, I had the most horrendous breakout on my forehead due to bad eating habits and not washing my face regularly. I started washing off my makeup every night like I was supposed to, and… well, you can see the results. Nary a zit to be found!
But also, Mr. Owl finds me beautiful without makeup on, and that’s probably the bigger reason why I don’t feel as though I have to wear makeup in public, or I have to wear makeup for the blog. Don’t get me wrong, I still love wearing makeup and I still feel prettier with it on, but I’m feeling less and less reliant on makeup to make me feel beautiful.
That’s my bit of advice for all you girls out there trying to find the man of your dreams: if he doesn’t think you are beautiful exactly as you are, with or without makeup, in jeans or in a dress… maybe he’s not the man for you. Not that you shouldn’t try to be pretty for him, but I know from looking at failed relationships around me that you shouldn’t settle for a guy (or guys, don’t settle for a girl) who doesn’t like you exactly as you are. Nor should you settle for someone that you don’t think is absolutely perfect for you. I’m not saying they can’t have flaws, but if you want to change them, or if they want to change you… keep looking.
I truly believe that there is someone out there for everyone who is the absolute perfect fit, no changes needed.
And also, don’t be afraid to wait. Don’t be afraid to be single. I know it is far more worth it to wait and struggle through the moments of loneliness that come with being the only single person in your circle of friends than it is to have your heart broken time and again. In this day and age (goodness, I sound old), I know that so many girls feel as though they have to have a boyfriend to complete themselves. It seems as though the public sees you as incomplete without a significant other.
I can tell you right now that it’s not true. You’re not incomplete if you’re not dating someone. It’s not something to be ashamed of to never have been kissed or never have dated. Hey, Mr. Owl is my first and almost definitely only boyfriend, and I was 23 when we started dating. But because I waited for the perfect man (aka Mr. Owl), I not only skipped a lot of awkwardness and heartbreak, but I myself was ready for it.
And if you’re young and you doubt me, I can just say: boys are a lot nicer when they’re older. 😉
So that’s the end of my love-life advice. Wait for the perfect one. Don’t feel pressured to date someone just because everyone else has someone.
The end.
{Thrifted} dress: $2 {Walmart} Sandals: $10 {Free} Ring: my mom’s | Flower: was on a gift bag
Total: $12
I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday!
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13 Comments
Nancy Francis
Great outfit and love the curls!
Recieved my package from your shop on Monday! I thought that was incredibly quick considering I only place the order on the 31st – and I’m on the other side of the continent and in a different country! The packaging was lovely, and I thought the note inside was very cute. The dress fits (wasn’t sure if it would – I’m definitely more of a large than a medium thanks to my booty), and will look totally different on me than it does on you 🙂
Thanks so much!
Mara
Oh, I’m so glad it fits! I really loved the colors of that dress, and the shape made it easy to style a few different ways. You’re very welcome! I really hope you enjoy wearing it!
Nancy Francis
Once I decide how to wear it I’ll try to remember to take a snap and send it to you 🙂
Mara
Oh, yay! I’d love to see how you style it!
Comy
Are you sure that you don’t have any makeup on? Because you look really beautiful. And I’m not just writing that to be nice, I really mean it. Your hair look great too, and I love your mom’s ring, and I’d love to have a pair of sandals just like yours! Which is a pretty big deal, because I’m very picky when it comes to footwear. Also, that flower was a nice touch.
And one more thing – I need to get my mother to read this post! Or at least to stand next to me while I translate it for her (her English is a bit rusty). I’m turning 21 this year and I’ve never had a boyfriend, so, naturally, she keeps bugging me about it. She fears that I’ll be forever alone and that I’ll have ten cats or more (which makes no sense, since I plan to have a dog, ok, maybe just one cat too :D).
Anyway, have an awesome Thursday!
Mara
Nope, no makeup on! Thank you! Now that my skin is no longer on the fritz, I quite like the no-makeup look (if I do say so myself. Hehe.) These sandals are so comfortable! I forget that they have a heel sometimes.
Hehe. Yes, do have your mom read it! And tell her that my aunt didn’t get married till she was 27, and my grandma didn’t get married till she was 25. 😀
Feathers & Freckles
Great advice, and DANG you look beautiful without makeup! 🙂 Love the dress and your hair too… you cutie!
Salazar
That’s such a gorgeous summer look. And you look great without makeup!
I agree with you about finding someone who doesn’t want to change you or vice versa, but sometimes two people can also complement each other and change each other for the better too!
Jamie Rose
You look beautiful! I love how your hair is styled here. The flower in it is so perfect for summer. That dress also looks amazing on you. I’m so glad you’ve found someone who loves you just as you are. It’s a wonderful feeling to have someone who thinks you’re beautiful even when you need a shower/have no makeup on/haven’t brushed your hair.
Demy
Hi! This was such a great post! <3 Sorry I'm sort of late on commenting, but I'm working 9 to 8, so I don't have much free time 🙁 Anyway, I have to say that your face is far more beautiful without makeup. I mean, you're beautiful with make up as well, but I prefer you like this. Such a pretty and gorgeous face! It's not weird that your Mr. Owl prefers you this way as well! 😀 The dress is amazing too! You're a beauty! 😀
Also, this is such a great advice. I'm aaaalmost 18 and I've never had a boyfriend. I just don't feel like it's the right time to have one and as you said, we always have to wait for the right time! :*
Rachel Benson
Hey Mara,
I just wanted to pop in and say I really like how you have your nails done in this post. They’re definitely awesome. I’m seriously jealous. lol. (I’m not able to have any nail polish on my fingers at the moment because of a college course I’m in at the moment. So no pretty nails for me.)
Also, that’s some great advice. It doesn’t always work out quite as perfectly as you put it though. I did date a guy for a while and we were both very certain that we were going to get married. But it didn’t work out. So, even if you wait sometimes it doesn’t happen the first time. I’m really happy knowing that you & Mr.Owl are so happy together. I hope it works out for you both. He sounds marvelous. (And everyone here already know how great you are. 😉 )
~Rae
Mara
Thank you! I forgot to mention I got the idea from The Styling Dutchman. I can’t remember which post now.
Oh, for sure! I didn’t mean to imply that it always works out perfectly if you wait, because life isn’t perfect and things can always change. I just meant that rather than giving in to the pressures of your peers when you’re young, or to think that you’re somehow incomplete because you’re not dating, it’s okay to wait.
Did that make sense?
Meanz Chan
Wow, Mara you look gorgeous in this dress and without makeup on. You have amazing skin It’s crazy how a few small changes can change everything though! It’s also great that your guy thinks you are beautiful without makeup. It’s one of those little things that is just so special 🙂