The rules: Over the next 14 days, I bid farewell to my makeup bag, shampoo, soap, and skincare products. Instead, I’d cleanse my face, body, and hair with nothing but water. No lotion. No perfume. My only luxuries: A single shampoo session during the two-week period and continuing to use my favorite essential oil-based deodorant, Le Couvent de Minimes Every Day Deodorant ($13.50, lecouventdesminimes.com) daily. MORE: 4 Drinks That Are Healthier Than Water (Or Close To It!) The cleanse:Week 1: My skin almost immediately responded to the cleanse: The redness in my cheeks and chin went away, my T-zone looked less oily and—get this—no new acne popped up. Plus, I saved 40 minutes a day by skipping the 20+ products I use in the morning, evening, and in the shower. (My everyday makeup look had involved primer, concealer, foundation, brow liner, brow gel, liquid eyeliner, mascara, blush, face powder, and lipstick.) I was definitely self-conscious about not wearing any makeup though, and my hair was super greasy: A friend mistook my limp strands for wet hair.Week 2: I got the hang of my minimalist routine: Showering (er, rinsing) with water made me feel clean, and my skin looked even better, with none of the pimples or redness I always had before. I also felt totally normal without makeup—I went to business meetings, appointments, and a concert without giving it a second thought. Even my hair got with the program: After a single shampoo at the end of week one, my hair was pretty much the same—maybe a little flatter, but definitely easier to style. (Ready to cleanse more than just your makeup bag? Read Heal Your Whole Body to learn how to detox your diet for glowing skin.) MORE: Your Worst Sunscreen Mistakes Caught On Camera The aftermath: One of the most important parts of the cleanse is reintroducing beauty products to your skin afterward (the fewer at a time, the better, so you can pay attention to how your skin and hair react). The 10% benzoyl peroxide face wash my dermatologist recommended triggered inflammation and stinging immediately, so I switched to a gentler bar soap free of harsh acne-targeting ingredients. I noticed that my skin looked better when I used just one moisturizer at night instead of the layers of serums, creams, and oils I had been piling on. My hair, which is usually stick straight, actually holds curls, braids, and up-dos when I only wash it every 3 to 4 days. The best part: I’m now comfortable without my makeup. I still go barefaced most weekends, and a little concealer, mascara, brow pencil, and liquid eyeliner are all I’ll wear otherwise. The skin cleanse verdict? I’m a less-is-more beauty convert.
