I’ve put all out here for you guys. A full 25 years–it’s my history of make-up in photos.
One of the things that has washed up with no make-up week is this glazing over of “oh what natural beauties you all are”. And each time it’s uttered it is a pin-prick beneath my skin. Because, that’s not what I hope we walk away with from this. Looking at this gallery, it’s not about learning that I am a natural beauty, or that I am beautiful without make-up. It is about becoming okay with my face. Accepting myself as I am. Whether other people find me beautiful or not.
Looking through the collected photos of my life shows how much make-up has played a role. This gallery looks like a patchwork of all the different people I have been. And in part, it’s true. Make-up was a way to create a new persona, to escape. But, it was always with an emphasis on beauty. If I could make myself into this person, this beautiful person then I will be okay.
The truth is though, there is only one me. It has always been me, the same person underneath with the same self. And when I am in touch with that self, I know it’s not beauty that matters. Natural or not. Beauty is shallow, it is fleeting. There is so much more that I have to offer as a person.
And it’s from there, that I can face the world. 25 years in, bare faced and okay. What does your history look like?
5 Comments
Ah yes…the party picture days! Is it weird that I’m most proud of you for posting those? For some reason I feel like they are the most vulnerable.
xoxo!
WOW this is so cool! Your face has had a really interesting life! I had no idea. Obviously you like costumes, experimenting, and living. This looks like a movie star’s gallery of film stills. I’m in awe and really proud of your passion.
Some of your photos looking quite professional, like model shots. Are they? In any case, you’re beautiful, photogenic enough to model, and don’t “need” make-up…
Can I just say that you’re super pretty? And that I love how you’ve experimented with your look?
i just stumbled upon your blog through the huff post and am from chicago as well. i wish i would have known about your make-up free week sooner!! i have been into make-up my ENTIRE life and can even recall days my grandmother showed me the proper way to line my lips and fill them in with lipstick when i was 10. i recently have been wearing less and less make-up (i’m 26), especially in the workplace and i’m not really even sure why! i guess, the older i get, the less i feel a need to pile on the eyeshadow
really liked your ideas, very inspiring!
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