I’m not a joiner-upper. Ever since I was kicked out of Brownies for singing a dirty limerick, I haven’t signed-up for a group of any kind. In my mind, group mentality quickly morphs into gang mentality and then next thing you know, your book club has turned into a full-fledged brawl over theme -- and who’s getting the last stuffed mushroom cap. So it’s with great trepidation I’m sharing new movement with you that’s sweeping the nation -- and I’m considering joining. Makeup Free Mondays.

Mondays right? The day after I’ve been drinking and partying all weekend -- pretty much the day I need the most make up and dark glasses to boot. The philosophy behind this movement is actually quite honorable. The Beauty Bean, a beauty and wellness website, is promoting Makeup Free Mondays to remind women of the importance of real inner beauty, promote better body image, prevent eating disorders and encourage conversations about the unrealistic body ideals. Beyond foregoing makeup on Mondays, The Beauty Bean also encourages women to donate unopened, fresh makeup to their local women’s shelter or Dress for Success.

Unofficially I’ve been participating in makeup free weekends for years with the only socio-political statement being  – I’m a lazy cow. I’m grateful for the Beauty Bean because they are starting a conversation about beauty that I find intriguing. Kathie Lee Gifford, Hoda Kotb, Ann Curry & Meredith Vieira went makeup free on the Today Show. You can watch the clip here. If they can do it in front of millions of people, maybe, just maybe I can go foundation-free in front of my cubemates. And maybe, just maybe, they won’t call security.

That’s why I’m grateful for the Beauty Bean.