Friday 21 March 2014

#nomakeupselfie

We live in a world where, to some, image is everything, so with that I ask what your opinion is on the 'bare faced selfie' craze that has taken social media by storm?

This week I was 'tagged' by a friend who had posted her make-up free face online to raise awareness for Cancer Research. I (perhaps like many others?) wondered how a selfie could raise awareness for cancer so if only for the sake of curiosity, I gave it a go to find out.


I wear make-up pretty much everyday. To work, to socialise and to do the Friday big shop. I wear it because I prefer to look at my make-up covered face than my non make-up covered face, and I assume that the great British people do too. Don't be mislead, I don't have shares in MAC, and I'm more of a slap dash applier than one who actually knows anything about the art of applying makeup properly, but still that fine layer of foundation makes me feel better.

Why? You might ask. Why does the obscuring of my natural face make me feel better? Surely that's an absurd concept? The answer. I don't *really* know. All I know is that when I can no longer see that pimple or those bags under my eyes I have a new found self-confidence. I feel fresh and well presented, ready to take on the day. 

At this point you're ready to diagnose me  with low self-esteem and little self-belief, but those of you who know me better, know that isn't true. There are some beautiful ladies that I know who personify self-belief - but they still wear makeup.

Perhaps some girls who wear make up wear it simply as part of their outfit? And so choosing the colour of their lipstick is just like choosing the colour of their knickers for the day. (And no one is even going to see those!) Perhaps we wear makeup like it's an accessory, simply because we like it? 

I think I put myself in this category, and so for me, taking and posting a #nomakeupselfie wasn't a massively big deal. After all I was (hopefully) raising awareness of Cancer. 

The flipside. Makeup for some people is like a mask. To hide away what they are ashamed of, scared of or what they just don't like. If you look in the mirror and hate what you see, a million people telling you otherwise is not going to change that. If wearing makeup is the difference between you going out and being the best you can be that day or staying home too worried to leave the house... I say get that slap on and get out there! Who are we to judge?
For these people going out without makeup really is a massively big deal, so If this is how you feel and you have 'bared all' this week in support of this great cause, I salute you. 

With that in mind, maybe each time a bare faced selfie is posted, there is another message we are sharing without realising it. Beauty is NOT skin deep. You are loved for the person you are, not the way you look, and I have no doubt that there will be someone out there who would love to look like you. Remember that. And if your selfie has encouraged someone else to whip out the makeup remover or prompted a few nice comments - well then that's just an added bonus!

The critics. Does a bare face selfie have anything to do with cancer research? No it doesn't. Which is why some people out there think the craze is "narcissism masked as charity" and those people who partake are simply looking for compliments on their natural beauty to boost self esteem. Perhaps there is some truth in this? Perhaps some people have no intention of raising awareness and simply want to beat the number of 'likes' their photo can get? Or perhaps the critics are just that. Critics. For no other reason than that's what they do for a living, and no matter how much good the world does, they would still find something to tar it with.

When I saw millions of people posting their #nomakeuselfie with the message 'TEXT BEAT TO 70099 TO DONATE £3 TO CANCER RESEARCH' the curiosity I very first mentioned was quenched. 

#nomakeupselfies whether you think they are a good thing or not, do exactly what they intended to do. They have not only raised awareness of cancer by getting people talking about it, sharing posts of how to check their breasts or testicles, and encouraging others to post a photo too... The #nomakeupselfie has has done more than that. It has raised over £2million pounds in 3 days for Cancer charities who work tirelessly to find a cure for this terifing disease that affects 1 in 3 of us and tears peoples lives apart. 

How can you criticise that??

Please comment below x

13 comments:

  1. if I looked like that without make up I would have been more inclined to do it. My hubbie said I don't look any different and I didn't know how to take that ;-) I will donate without the pic

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    1. Emma it's lovely that your husband said that.. He knows how to earn his brownie points :)

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  2. What a great post! When I first saw the photos I thought it was a bit annoying - people looking for attention under the guise of 'doing good' - I didn't realize there was any fundraising involved. BUT then I saw that people were donating and how much money it was raising. AND I've really actually enjoyed seeing my friends without make up - everyone looks so sweet. In the end, I agree if it's getting the job (raising money/awareness) then that's what matters (and I did it too!)

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    1. Thanks Erin! :)
      I'm really glad you ended up doing the selfie, it's a great example of how the craze has encouraged other people to get involved hence increasing the chances of donations! Well done you x

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  3. As you say, the important thing is that money is raised that wouldn't have been raised otherwise, making peoples motives unimportant. We can't read each other's minds so how do we know if people are genuine? I'm sure some are and some are not. I'm sure that some 'bare faced' have secretly got a bit of powder on! who knows! At least its something we can all do,rather than the usual sponsored swims, marathons etc. Great post!

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    1. Thanks Lorna! You are right, you don't have to be an athlete - just have to have a face so open to all :)

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  4. I have heard so many positive and negatives regarding this issue this week! For me I think any exposure is crucial and it has definitely done its job to raise a lot of money for research and remind people to check there bodies, How much silly can it be than people dressing up as the flinstones on a sponsored run! All is good! Ps. You look fabulous anyway ;)

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  5. Totally agree and wrote a similar post myself here: http://mummetamorphosis.wordpress.com/2014/03/21/spotty-dogs-downward-dogs-and-our-friends-down-under-love-the-little-things-7/

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  6. You look wonderful without make up! I too wear it most days, although not much. I find it makes me feel confident and I don't see why that's a bad thing. I'm not sure about this campaign though. I never saw anyone saying they were donating until it was outed as a silly craze. Now it is raising money which is fab- I won't criticise that!
    x x

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  7. I don't wear make-up so it's been a bit pointless for me. Part of my issue with the 'raising awareness' explanation is that cancer doesn't really need it's awareness raised. It's already the focus of hundreds of fundraisers like marathons, Movember, & coffee mornings and almost everyone knows someone who's died of cancer. I am hugely impressed that a donation has been linked to the viral campaign this time, unlike the previous ones (post a fruit to your status that represents your relationship status or post just the colour of your bra to your status.)

    One thing that does frustrate me is why these things are so focused on traditional female expectations - that our relationship status matters, that our undergarments are tittilating, and that all women wear make-up. It could be something like post a picture of your morning bed head hair, which would include men as well (and thus increase potential donations and awareness if that's your goal.)

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  8. Completely agree with you 100%. A friend of mine recently said she never really thought about donating to charity until the #nomakeupselfie. Although that shocked me a little it's good to see this craze has changed people's views and encouraged those who wouldn't normally, give to charity.

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  9. I agree that you like many others look as good (and sometimes better) au naturel! I am mostly make up free so no point me posting but I will donate

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  10. I agree with you completely. It doesn't matter what people's motives were for posting - it made people donate and that's the important thing. I must admit, I was reluctant to take part at first because I couldn't see how it would make any difference and thought it was just an ego-boosting exercise. How wrong I was!!

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