Some women even do it while driving, drinking coffee and talking on their cell phones. I find these women oddly terrifying, not only because of their blatant disregard for the welfare of their fellow commuters, but also because I now see what their routine symbolizes. I used to think that they were astonishingly self-absorbed to put their own appearance ahead of basic traffic safety. But now I see that this is just another part of an over-taxed life, a joyless exercise in balancing the conflicting needs and responsibilities of a modern woman. And frankly, yikes!

Interestingly, at the same time as I've come to fear the idea of a make up routine, I've also started to feel uncomfortable stepping out of the house without my face on. It's amazing how quickly I've gone from feeling comfortable and confident with my bare face to feeling as if there's something horribly wrong with it. Suddenly, I find myself wondering if my skin is too flushed or my eyes look tired. The effect of staring long and hard at my own face every morning has been unmistakable. It's almost an unconscious reaction for me now, that there's something about me that needs fixing.

So what can I do to prevent make up routine overload? Well, I know this may sound drastic, but I've decided to go cold turkey for a little while. It's a bit like a low-carb diet. I'll have a two week induction period and then maybe, over time, I can start to reintroduce a few select products here and there. Hopefully, this will lead to a more healthy life-long relationship with make up. Although, knowing me, this probably means no relationship with make up whatsoever.

If it's been a while since you mixed up your cosmetic routine, perhaps you should give the low-cos diet a try as well. Just think of all the time and money you could gain!