It’s difficult to introduce a post which contains 56 fantastic photos of makeup free faces without getting a bit soppy, so we’re not even going to try.

We asked a bunch of amazing women to share their no makeup selfies along with a few sentences describing their relationship with makeup and how (and if) it’s changed, and we got a lot of responses.

For some, their beauty bag represented an empowering and creative part of the female experience, while others spoke of the freedom they felt when they ditched the face slap. Maybe you’re somewhere in between, maybe you can’t quite put your finger on it.

That’s totally fine too. We know that despite the fact makeup is seen as ‘normalised’ and part of ‘being a woman’, it can also be a deeply complicated and conflicting subject.

On the topic of things women do to their faces, that men (generally) don’t. Here’s what it would look like if a man lived like a woman for a day.

As one woman (who didn’t want her photo shared) said, while she previously saw makeup as something that hid “the physical flaws on [her] face,” this changed after she recovered from a very deep period of post natal depression which saw her not wearing makeup for almost a year.

“Today, it’s more a symbolic process which celebrates my recovery from that terrifying time,” she wrote.

“It makes me feel happy, well put together, confidant and in control. I know it shouldn’t, as it’s a superficial thing, but I’m unapologetic for it, as it’s much deeper than just ‘making my face look pretty.'”

So without, further ado, here are 56 fabulous makeup free faces…

“I have insecurities over my pigmentation,” Katie, 33

Although I am confident in myself as a person and proud of my achievements, I have insecurities like everyone, one being my skin and pigmentation. It mainly stems from having had clear skin, then reacting to hormonal contraception and developing melasma (a type of skin pigmentation).

It is a volatile type of pigmentation and almost impossible to treat and I have found it challenging to deal with my change in appearance. That being said I am learning to accept and love my skin everyday and I choose to focus on the things I like about myself rather than obsess over the things I don’t like (and can’t change).

Image: Instagram @lady.lolas

"I never leave the house without makeup," Natasha, 33

From 13-27(ish) I would never leave the house without makeup on. Ever. I got it from my mum, who is always perfectly made up. I would get detention after detention in high school because I refused to not wear eyeliner and I struggled to find foundation to match my half-Indian skin tone in New Zealand in the 90’s and 00’s.

Now, makeup is more about fun, but I still feel naked without eyeliner or foundation and I hate my thin veiny skin. However, I hardly ever wear makeup on weekends and do so many fitness events that everyone sees me sans makeup all the time now. It’s the real me.

Image: Supplied.

"Bit addicted," Shereen, 47

Eek. I have a small stash of concealer/mascara and lip tint in the car for work days. Bit addicted to mascara and tan in a can. Value my happiness more so I dress up and makeup when I feel like it. Less rules, more JOY.

Image: Supplied.

"Not a fan," Marisina

I’ve never been a fan of makeup, I wear lipstick if I go out somewhere out of the norm. It all seems like too much effort and really what for? Each to their own and I never judge those that wear it. I quite admire done up faces and the effort people go to. I’ve always been a low maintenance type of chick and not given an F about what I look like.

Image: Supplied.

"I have visible acne," Ele, 26

I wear makeup purely to cover up acne. I am starting to feel more comfortable without it or at least less of it. I always wear a fair bit to work though. I think I am worried people will see me as more of a 'child' than they already do if I have visible acne.

Looking through the other comments, the people saying they never wear make up have very nice skin!

Image: Supplied.

"Your face, your choice," Amy, 26

This is me straight out of bed (sitting on my balcony where there’s great lighting and after rubbing the gunk out of my eyes). I normally do my makeup at work because I sweat so much on the commute - some mornings, I get in and can’t be bothered, I’m comfortable without makeup (I’m lucky to have nice skin so I brush my brows and slap on some tinted lip balm) but I love the ritual of putting on some makeup or trying new things. End of the day, your face, your choice.

Image: Supplied.

"Can't be bothered," Rachel, 45

I haven’t worn makeup except a bit of lippy/mascara in late teens/early 20s. I’m now 45. Can’t be bothered at all. I do dye my hair though.

Image: Supplied.

"A celebration of the woman I am," Sheri, 37

I love makeup. Makeup to me is a form of expression and celebration of the women I am. It also allows a moment in the day where I can just sit and be with me, which is a sacred time. Especially when you have a toddler, a business and studying. A moment to sit, be with me and express is a moment with makeup. Even if it is for just five minutes.

Image: Supplied.

"I'm wearing less makeup for my daughter," Naomi, 30

I mainly wear make up to "go out" however that definition has changed quite a bit in the last few years. It used to include to go to work or the shops but now I more often than not wear no make up to work. This is mainly due to my daughter making comments like "I need make up mummy, so I look pretty like you!" So I've been consciously trying to show her that you can look beautiful with or without make up. I also like to give my skin a break or sometimes I will just throw on some mascara and brows... full make up is mainly now only worn to go to an event like weddings, birthday, concert etc.

Image: Supplied.

"I'd rather spend my time getting dirt on my face," Dorothy, 27

I don't often wear make-up and if I do, it's lipstick. But I'd rather spend my time getting dirt on my face and stronger muscle tone on my body than trying to figure out how to contour and highlight. I've also noticed that taking care of my skin more so than covering it helps me feel prettier.

Image: Supplied.

"I’ve decided I hate wearing makeup," Chelsea, 22

As of the last few months I’ve decided I hate wearing makeup! I wore it for all of my teen years to hide acne, makeup was just a shield for me. I took roaccutane to fight this battle I was having with my skin. I literally just wear mascara to work now! I’ll only wear makeup if I feel like playing with it. I don’t feel like I NEED it anymore and it is such an amazing feeling! I’m ME!

Image: Supplied.

"It's the real me," Caitlin, 33

Makeup free means being 100 per cent me. Washing off teacher, friend, dog mum and just being Caitlin.

Image: Supplied.

"I've only had an issue with it once," Heather, 42

There is no set rhyme or reason for me wearing makeup. You might find me at work with or without, at dinner with or without. I am comfortable with myself and I see makeup as something fun and experimental for when I have time and feel like it.

The one time I had an issue was when a relationship therapist said to me, “you should try putting on makeup for your husband more often. It’s such a shame your mother had terminal cancer when you were a teen, it really impacted your time to play with makeup and get comfortable with it and get good at it.” Needless to say I never went back and she got a strongly worded email as to why and what I thought of what she had said.

Given I had never worn makeup to see her, she had no idea of my proficiency, my teen years were spent being an advocate and nurse for a very ill mother and my husband doesn’t mind nor notice makeup, I thought she was WAY out of line. I decided she was placing her values onto me and I did not need to alter my fun relationship with makeup based on that.

Image: Supplied.

"I’m hoping the confidence will come," Cass, 30

It’s rare that you’ll see me without makeup. Although I only wear light coverage, I always wear it. Growing up my mother always wore minimal makeup. She taught us that make up is to “highlight” not to cover. When I was 18 I went out with no make up at all and a handful of people asked me if I was unwell.

I’ve never stepped out of the house without it since. The older I get the more wrinkles, freckles and pigmentation my skin gets. It wasn’t until just recently that my husband looked at me and said that he loved me without make up. I’ve made a huge shift from make up to good skin care and I’m hoping the confidence will come.

Image: Supplied.

"It’s more about making myself look a little more alive and polished," Rachael, 41

This is me in bed this morning (with a headache). Love playing with products, love wearing makeup.. always wear to work and if heading out socially otherwise I look pretty flat! But I don't wear makeup when I'm just at home and happy to duck to shops bare faced. But I never leave the house without lip balm / gloss otherwise I truly look dead. Overall for me, it’s more abou