(An extension of a thought that I posted on Instagram.)
Makeup is odd. The concept of makeup is odd.
I've been thinking a lot about how there is an extremely fine line between putting things on your face because you enjoy the process (much like art) or because it's a way in which you like to express yourself, and wearing red lipstick makes you feel like you can conquer the world (very understandable, it's amazing what red lipstick can do.) And putting stuff on your face because you feel like you somehow have a duty to do so, or that you feel as though you should 'conceal yourself' or that you look 'wrong' without it.
You shouldn't be covering yourself in paint because you want other people to value you more, or because you feel like you need it. If you don't want to leave your house without makeup on because you don't feel content with your own natural face, then I'd definitely suggest spending some time in front of a mirror and picking out all the gorgeously wonderful things that make up you.
I've always been in love with bare faces. There's something raw and natural and earthy about the freshness of a makeup-less face. I love skin and it's little creases and variation of tone, and eyes and their natural colours, and freckles and small marks that make a person a person. I'm not sure whether it's just me, but the beauty of bare faces is something that I think is totally underrated. We are sold things that tell us to 'cover up' and 'alter' and 'enhance', but perhaps sometimes we are fine just the way that we are. I suppose that if we were all confident and comfortable, the beauty industry would struggle an awful lot.
I'm not anti makeup, not at all. In fact, I love putting glitter on my eyes and shimmer on my cheeks- it's fun! And a lot of the time it makes me feel fab. But I think that my aim is to learn to feel comfortable with my own face, just as it is. With and without paint.
I'm learning. And if I find other people's bareness so endearing, surely some other people must think so too?
My rich eyes and olive blemish-touched skin and chapped lips and pokey cheek bones are fine. I'm fine. I can be better than fine! And so can you.
Love love love,
xxx
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