Update: Real women are resonating with the idea of “makeup shaming,” and they’re speaking up about it on social media. Earlier this month, YouTuber and makeup artist NikkieTutorials posted a video called “The Power of Makeup!” telling women they need not be “ashamed” to say they love makeup – just because you love to paint your face doesn’t mean you don’t love yourself. Women have embraced her message and are sharing their own #ThePowerOfMakeup photos with inspirational personal stories.
To caption the picture above, @annikat_makeupartistry wrote:
“I’m not afraid to go barefaced – yes, I’m naturally blonde, so my eyelashes and eyebrows are basically invisible without makeup or dye… Yes, my skin isn’t flawless and I do get blemishes and have a few light freckles. But it’s me 🙂 no one is perfect – be happy in the skin you’re in – makeup doesn’t define you.”
We’ve shared a few more of these #ThePowerOfMakeup selfies below. Ladies, you’re gorgeous on both sides!
https://instagram.com/p/4S3yi5mQsz/?taken-by=alexvennn
https://instagram.com/p/4RVaeQGVpw/?taken-by=camilaxmorales
Original Post, 6/12/15:
In a video called “The Power of MAKEUP!,” YouTuber and Dutch makeup artist/hairstylist NikkieTutorials took a stance against “makeup shaming” for beauty lovers who may feel guilty about loving makeup for the wrong reasons.
Nikkie says in the video:
“I’ve been noticing that girls have been almost ashamed to say that they love makeup. Because nowadays when you love makeup you either do it because you love boys, you do it because you’re insecure, or you do it because you don’t love yourself. I feel like, lately, in a way, it’s been almost a crime to say you love doing your makeup.”
Nikkie then put makeup on only half her face — eyeliner, bronzer, lipstick, the whole shebang — to prove how transformative makeup is for her. (She said she got the inspiration from “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”) She said she wanted to make the point that wearing makeup can be fun and creative, rather than a chore borne from insecurity. Watch the full video here:
Nikkie could be referring to the viral success of Amy Schumer’s “Girl You Don’t Need Makeup” sketch, a tongue-in-cheek commentary on just how beautiful pop stars think we look without makeup. Regardless, while of course I don’t want anyone to feel “shamed” for wearing makeup (or wearing anything, really), I wish Nikkie gave more credence to the idea that women feeling comfortable without makeup is a good thing. The video as is doesn’t necessarily address makeup shaming, so much as it shows how transformative a deft hand can be at applying makeup correctly.
And in fairness, she does do an incredible job of showing the power of makeup. Her eyes and brows are flawless.
What do you think of Nikkie’s video? Let us know in the comments!
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