Could you go a week WITHOUT MAKE-UP

Writer Julie Cook gave herself a seven-day challenge to see if there were any benefits

I like make-up. I don’t wear a lot, but I do wear it every day. I have very fair eyebrows and lashes so I ‘need’ cosmetics to define my face. Throughout my life, I’ve always worn make-up. I first discovered it aged 13 and was amazed how it brought my features out and improved me no end. From then on, I was hooked.

I’d spend my pocket money and newspaper-round money on beauty buys. Back in the late 80s and early 90s, there was nowhere near the vast array of products available today. I’d select a frosted pink lipstick or a tiny square of blue eyeshadow and cherish them, relishing the powdery smell as I opened them up.

Now, aged 46, make-up is still my friend. The only time I don’t wear it is for my morning swim and sleeping. I’ve been known to add a slick of lippy in the car before popping into Tesco and always make sure I’ve got enough blush on to look ‘alive’. But the likes of Pamela Anderson have started a trend recently to go barefaced and I wonder if I have the courage to do the same. Here’s how I got on…

MONDAY

It feels so weird getting up, having a shower, applying moisturiser then having to stop myself before reaching for my Chanel foundation. ‘No make-up,’ I remind myself.