Flicking through the latest issue of Closer magazine (my
guilty pleasure when I can no longer be bothered to read sombre news articles
or lengthy literature) I came across an article with the blaring titles “CELEBS
DARE TO GO BARE” and “NAKED FACES!”. In short, seven B-listers (and that’s me
being nice) of different ages agreed to be photographed without a hint of
make-up. Although I’m sure I saw some lashes of mascara and some powdered
noses.
The article got me thinking about how myself and
other girls have become increasingly reliant on numerous beauty products. The
celebrities had varying reactions to their bare-faced image. TV presenter
Andrea McLean declares that she feels more comfortable when she’s not wearing
any make-up. Whereas reality TV stars Vicky Pattinson and Gemma Collins reveal
that they feel much more confident when wearing some slap and feel
overwhelmingly self-conscious without it.
Now, I like to think that I have a fairly natural look and
wear a minimal amount of make-up compared to other girls in my age group. But
when I got thinking about it, I noted that I rarely leave the house without applying
at least a layer of foundation and a dash of eye make-up. It’s as though I look
in the mirror every morning and think “no, this won’t do”. My product-less face
feels vulnerable and I wrongly think that I look perhaps ill, unattractive and
even laughable. In this image-obsessed age girls have to confront so many issues
regarding their looks. Blemishes fill us with horror and our natural skin is
never good enough.
I know that I am not ugly. Okay, I don’t have flawless skin,
but then who does? I still look youthful. A face without make-up should not be
totally abhorrent to me. Yet, even on small family occasions, my younger sister
and I still feel the need to plaster on the products and “beautify” ourselves.
Yes, I agree, when applied correctly and creatively us ladies do look pretty
with a few cosmetics. But should we rely on our growing make-up bags to support
our image every day of the year?
Today I tried an experiment. I went into town without any
make-up whatsoever. And, although it was a slight battle getting myself out the
door, wandering up and down the high street was not as nearly as terrifying as I
thought. The shops were busy, I spoke to cashiers and ran into people I knew.
No one pointed and sniggered or yelled “HEY! You look…different….”. So I guess
the moral of today’s story is that I should take more pride in my natural appearance.
Although when I head back to work tomorrow
morning I guarantee the foundation brush will be back in hand. My natural look
will have to rear its fine-looking head another time.
