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Into the No Makeup Trend

Is going bare-faced the new beautiful in high fashion? Getty Images and — Their Lives, Their Times, Their Rivalry. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Both the play and the book reenact the legendary antagonism between two beauty titans who made makeup a power tool for women the world over. "There are no ugly women," Rubinstein famously remarked, "only lazy ones." Arden was a bit more reserved: "Every woman," she proclaimed, "has the right to be beautiful." If the play ends anything like the book did, audiences may leave the theater conflicted: Did the two makeup mavens liberate women or enslave them? Knowing that background, can you imagine how loudly Rubinstein and Arden might have gasped at our current "no-makeup" trend? With everyone from Adele to Hillary Clinton having chosen to appear barefaced in public (or merely on social media) in 2016, here's my take on the new maquillage-free movement. It needn't be all or nothing. Let's get realistic because makeup sure has. Thanks to new technology, do-good ingredients, sheer textures and natural colors, makeup is now able to create a fresh and healthy look — one that enhances our features but camouflages discolorations without looking "painted on." The whims of the wearer should decide the issue here. Some days a touch of beauty balm (BB) cream and tinted lip balm supply enough oomph, with no one the wiser. Other days we might ramp up the drama and definition with a red lip or a smoky lined eye. With the menu of makeup options this varied, why not try one? Thank you for not sharing! comes between you and your selfie, you say? Then why am I able to detect the telltale traces of your cosmetic surgery, Botox, fillers and hair coloring? Flowers & Gifts 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items See more Flowers & Gifts offers > Instead, "natural" often takes a village — of invisible groomers, stylists, nutritionists, manicurists (even when nails are left plain and buffed) and cosmetic dentists. And I haven't even touched yet on the (often unseen) assist provided by Spanx, a and designer duds. My take: Makeup is motivating. Call this non-PC if you must, but I think makeup helps women feel good about themselves when times are tough. Rubinstein and Arden were dead-on in this respect: You can be just as authentic with makeup that looks natural as you can by forswearing it altogether . All it takes is selecting the right shades and textures, then refining your application skills. Seriously, grown women of all ages get dark circles under their eyes when they miss essential sleep. Their eyelids puff up after a night of salty food or cocktails, and hormonal zits are an occupational hazard of life. Now add to that the generous bonus that Mother Nature confers on those of us who are 50+: saggy skin, brows in need of restoration, brown spots, broken capillaries … you get the picture. Why make focal points of these deficits when what you say and do is so much more important? Bottom line: You don't need to ditch your makeup to make a political statement — and donning it can help you face forward with confidence and attitude. For more beauty and style tips for women 50+, check out : How to Shake Up Your Looks, Life, and Love after 50 and AARP's new , at aarp.org. More on entertainment AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS