You Are Beautiful Just The Way You Are
By KathyH
Why Are We So Fascinated By Pictures Of Celebrities Without Makeup?
I was asked recently to write an article about what I thought was an unusual subject. It seems that a young lady from New Jersey named "Snooki" (aka Nicole Pilozzi), starlet of a television reality show called "Jersey Shore" recently went without makeup for a day, causing quite an internet sensation. And that was my topic to write about. I have to admit, the first thing I wanted to write was "who cares"? BUT, I soon realized by researching the topic that seemingly a lot of people DO care. That was interesting to me, looking at it from a position of an observer of human nature.
I was fascinated at the level of interest she generated just by tweeting one day that it was a "no makeup day" and IDC (slang for I don't care). Then she proceeded to post a picture of herself with no makeup. Eventually, it ended up being one of the hottest searches on the internet (for a few days anyway).
What is it in our society that causes this total fascination with "celebrity" and what these people are and are not doing at any given moment? And an even bigger question I have, what is the effect of all of this "media hype", especially on young girls who are at an age where they are so extremely concerned with their looks?
You know the age, all women go through it, and I bet guys do too, maybe to a lesser extent, but they still go through a self conscious "phase." I remember going through it in my junior high school years.
I used to have to have makeup on every single day, or I could NOT leave the house. I have one memory that stands out in particular, I started walking to school (it was about a three hour walk... five miles, up hill in 15 feet of snow)... I had to add that for the benefit of our two sons! (Laughing!!)
Kidding aside, I realized about 5 minutes into my walk to school that day that I had ... gasp... forgotten to put mascara on! I actually TURNED AROUND and walked back home to put mascara on. I was probably late to school that day, too, it's been a few years ago, so I don't remember.
I look back now and ask myself, what in the WORLD was I thinking? And WHY was it so terribly important that I have mascara on, who cared if it looked like I have no eyelashes (due to them being blonde). But I realize now, it was a part of that self conscious age I was going through at that time.
I'll tell you, "Snooki" looked absolutely fine without makeup, she is a pretty girl and perhaps all the layers of bronzer and makeup detract in a way from her prettiness. She has beautifully soulful brown eyes, but one can hardly tell when there are layers of gunk and false eyelashes and eyelash extensions detracting from that.
Add to about 5 pounds of bronzer for that pretty orange... uh, copper-y look, and you have what looks more like a caricature of the person rather than the natural beauty.
That made me think, what if we as adults, when we are very fortunate to have a special young lady in our lives (as in my case, having two beautiful grand-daughters), what if we could let them know that they are indeed beautiful just the way they are? Tell them that, and say it often, and truly mean it? Maybe little girls wouldn't be so quick to embrace the strange idea that being 80 pounds with your skeleton showing is a form of "beauty?"
Really, anyone can look beautiful just by taking proper care of their skin, go lightly on sun exposure, and be sure to use great moisturizers, and you are good to go! Healthy skin has to be the most beautiful skin there is.
A girl's mother can tell her the same thing, that she is beautiful just the way she is, but it seems to be more effective when it is said by a little more distant relative, such as a child's Grandmother or beloved Aunt? I can still remember today things that were said to me as a child by my beautiful Aunt's and my wonderful Grandmother, and maybe I did put more weight into what they said as opposed to what I would hear from my Mother.
So, I plan to tell my grand-daughters as often as I can that they are beautiful just the way they are... it certainly can't hurt, and hopefully they will grow up with the self confidence to know that they are indeed BEAUTIFUL.
Dedicated, also, to my two BEAUTIFUL nieces, who are truly beautiful in every way!
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Comments
I totally agree, WillStarr!! It should be to accentuate the beauty that is already there, not to be so garish that it drastically changes how one looks! :) Thanks for your thoughtful comment!
I can remember as a teenager, a lot of makeup was fashionable, I cringe now when I think about all that blue eye shadow above and below my eyes!!
I too will be telling my grandaughters they are beautiful just the way they are!
A great article, thank you and voted up
Thanks, Movie Master! :) I do remember the blue eye shadow days, it makes me shudder! Ha!! So glad you like this, and you're doing a good thing letting the young ladies know how beautiful they are, we all need that affirmation from time to time. :) Thank you for stopping by! :)
I have always preferred the natural look but maybe that's me. I do know that this subject is important for young girls and they would do well to read this Hub...good job and I look forward to reading more of your Hubs.
Thank you billybuc! :) I appreciate the feedback, thanks so much!
Voted up and interesting. LOL thanks for reminding me of high school - mascara, lip gloss etc. I don't know why I thought I looked sooooo gooood. As the years have rolled by and I'm overweight I just didn't think I looked good in make-up any more and I haven't worn any for ages. However we in Riga, Latvia have absolutely freezing temps and I have promised myself to briskly walk up and down my stairs every day and eat a lot less I mean at 5° F who wants to go out grocery shopping and if I succeed in slimming down by spring then I'll put on a bit of make-up. I suppose this is a realistic goal.
Thanks for the great votes, Gypsy Rose Lee! :) Best of luck to you in your goals, remember that it will also make you healthier, always a worthy goal! :) Wishing you the best! :)
Hi Kathy H,
I really enjoyed reading your hub, it was informative and right to the point. And I agree about cosmetics, my reasoning about it--Less is Best--. I put it on, and then I wrap most of it off, and that leaves just a touch, so I do not look completely dead. I voted up and awesome.
Until Later,
Bobbi
Thanks so much, Bobbi! :) I feel the same way, I hardly wear any makeup any more, just the minimum. Thanks for the great votes!
Natural beauty will never fade away, it'll last forever. But today's glossy make-ups will produce wrinkles and other dreary effects on your face.
Great hub and voted up as useful.
That's what I think too, radhikasree! I think all of that makeup can even clog pores and create problems. I like a more natural look. Thanks for reading and for your thoughtful comment! :)
Just believe your self and don't ever underestimate. Very inspiring hub. Thanks for writing and share with us. Rated up!
Love and peace,
So true, prasetio 30! :) Glad you like the hub, thank you for commenting! :)
I have often gone without makeup in the past - but now I'm 63 and....well...I need a little help here and there. Great Hub!
Thanks, onegreenparachute! I know what you mean! ;) I'm the same way! I try to wear as little as possible, but as we get older sometimes we need a little bit more! ;) At least I do! :)
I agree with you on this- I could never understand celebrity fascination. I honestly have stopped watching movies for over a year now just because you see what kinds of values America has- like the movie Project X. I can't understand why anyone would want to see a movie like that. I think we waste too much time idolizing celebs and watching tv/movies (not completely against it, but you know what kind of entertainment I'm referring to). *sigh* I really wish America had different values, with less emphasis on appearance and sex. How can we progress with this kind of emphasis? It frustrates me seeing how those movies reflects college life.
I'm really just disgusted lol. I try not to be, but it's hard. It's fine to put on a little makeup, but there's no reason anyone should be so insecure that they're completely transforming into another, unrecognizable person. Everyone is beautiful in their own way- that's not just me saying that, it's ABSOLUTELY true.
Thanks, marixotoni! I totally agree! :) Being the Grandma of two little girls, I just hope that they grow up with a GOOD image of themselves and with strong confidence so they don't ever feel they need to go to extremes to be beautiful, because they are beautiful just the way they are! :) But the way the media pushes things today is just disgusting! (Good word by the way!) :) Thanks so much for reading and for your thoughtful comment!
WillStarr 4 months ago
Isn't makeup supposed to be subtle? Just an accent here and there?