When I heard about the No Product Day Challenge, I thought to myself, “This is going to be so easy” as I already unintentionally do the challenge multiple times a week. Not only do I often forget my deodorant (which my mom would not be so happy to hear), I also only wear makeup a few times a week. On Tuesdays and Thursdays this semester, I don’t have any class, so in the morning I don’t bother putting in my contacts or applying makeup. However, my experience with the No Product Day Challenge was very different than my typical “low effort” days.
When I woke up in the morning, I already felt like I was cheating the process: I applied lip balm. I know lip balm isn’t the end of the world, but I was disheartened that at 10 in the morning, I already needed to abbreviated the process due to my own insecurities. In my mind, I was off to a bad start. The rest of the day, I felt like I was putting very little effort in: I kept my glasses on, threw my hair in a messy bun and didn’t wear an outfit I particularly liked. Without my typical morning routine to boost my confidence, I didn’t feel particularly motivated. For me, if I’m going for the “low effort” look, it’s because I want to work out or do something productive in comfortable clothes, but when I didn’t do that and just had a “normal” day, I felt lazy. However, when I wear makeup and get dressed in a nice outfit, I feel productive even if I don’t necessarily do anything.
It’s important to mention that I also ended the challenge an hour early. That night I was going to a concert with some friends and wanted to look my best. So I put on deodorant, applied makeup, did my hair and put on a nice outfit. I felt guilty about quitting the challenge before it was fully completed, but I wanted to go out feeling good. That getting ready routine is almost essential for me to feel good about myself and the day ahead. While I’d be interested to try the challenge again with taking extra non-makeup related steps to boost my confidence, I don’t think there is anything wrong with what I currently do. It’s important to have a routine to feel ready for the day, and this challenge made me realize that even more.
This is really interesting. I wonder what you could do to feel more motivated throughout the day without using products to get ready. Is it the sense of repetition and a routine that helps you to feel motivated? If so you could always try to come up with a new routine such as doing yoga or meditating for five minutes every morning.
I find this reflection really commendable. It sounds like the process of the no product day challenge can reveal a lot to a person about how they are influenced by outside factors. It sounds like for you, getting ready in the morning is a start thats sends you well on your way to a productive day. I feel the same way, and I think it’s funny how I often attribute my productivity to how put together I look. You enforce the idea that a person can want use products for themselves, and are not always forced to by outside factors. Thanks for this piece!
I really resonate with your reflection. I also don’t wear make-up on a daily basis, or I’ll forget to put on deodorant every once in a while. Yet, same as you, much of my morning and night routine is an act or self care and help me feel more productive. This piece really made me think about what productivity means and how I can create other habits to make me more productive outside of ones relating to my appearance.
Like Rui Rui, I also really resonate with your reflection. Personally (and nothing against my mom), my mom pushes us to appear put together at almost all times. When we didn’t, my brothers and I were sometimes called out. Getting up and putting on a cute outfit, somewhat brushing my hair, and applying deodorant has become engrained in me. It’s the simplest version of a routine I could get away with at home. That said, I love how you talked about the conflict between the guilt that came with not finishing the challenge and the more negative emotions that came with not following your typical routine.
I think you did a really great job with the no product challenge for the first time! I apply chapstick at least 2-3 times a day so I do not think I could survive without it for a whole day. I agree with you that sometimes putting makeup on or having a step by step product application in the morning gives you motivation and makes you feel like you are ready for the day. I feel like putting on makeup (and even deodorant) makes me feel more confident and wanting to interact with others more. I agree with you that a little bit of makeup is not a bad thing.
I agree that putting on deodorant and doing your hair does increase your self-esteem. I thought about doing the No Product Day Challenge but would’ve failed horribly. For example, without putting on deodorant, I feel gross and uncomfortable. And if I do not do my hair, I feel ugly. Moreover, I believe that social media does impact how we view ourselves and influences us to purchase certain products. However, I am proud of how far you went into the challenge! You have motivated me to give it a try next year.
You brought up really interesting points about the productivity aspect of not wearing any products. Although I don’t wear makeup every day if I forget to wash my face or put on moisturizer I often feel off/not normal until I’m able to do it. Additionally, whenever I have a big test or day where I need to be very productive I often wear a nicer outfit because I feel more put together which in turn makes me more motivated. I did not participate in the challenge, but I understand a lot of the points you brought up. I think it would take me an extended period of time to fully get on board for using no products. I hope you had a good concert!
I find comfort in having my own routine and although I did not take part in the challenge, I definitely understand the feeling of wanting to have a routine and feeling productive as a result of completing this routine. You got far into the challenge and if anything you have motivated me to attempt the challenge as well