365 days.

That’s how long American student Annie Garau is planning on going make-up free.

The 20-year-old has vowed to not touch foundation, bronzer, blush or anything rhyming with mascara for a whole year. And she’s doing it because she wants to fully understand the role that make up plays in our lives.

Annie, a student at Indiana University, started the project in January.

And this is her – 200 days in.

On her blog Annie described the project as a stand against “

blatant sexism that is so prevalent” through make-up: 

Annie goes onto say:

Honest, blunt, and the more I think about it -true.

Two of the young women Annie inspired.

Most people I know (myself included) feel like they need make-up. It’s a security blanket to cover up your flaws, something to boost your self esteem and something to make you feel that little closer to perfection – and hey – it’s fun.

But the fact that a woman going without make-up for a year makes global headlines, shows us where society and women are at with body image – not very far.

Annie isn’t the first person to go make-up free for a year, and she won’t be the last. But by highlighting this issue on a global scale, she’s making it a little more acceptable – much more acceptable than a photo of a #makeupfreeselfie.

As she told the Huffington Post: 

Let’s hope other young women jump on board.

Brava, Annie. Brava.

How long have you gone without make-up for?