As I perused through my Facebook timeline, I came across a friend’s post about an article Alicia Keys wrote on www.lennyletter.com. In my friend’s post, she shared that Alicia Keys wanted to start a “No Makekup Revolution”. My friend and I are both Makeup Artists, and I had to see what she and all of the commenters posted in response to her post! Needless to say, all of the makeup enthusiast and makeup artists were in an uproar suggesting that Mrs. Keys is taking the “revolution” too far, and other folks were in full agreement with Mrs. Keys. That had me thinking, ‘I have to read this article… like asap!’
In the Lenny Letter, Alicia Keys speaks of how women (including herself in the past) hide behind the makeup and allow it, as well as society, define who they are. She speaks of how even young girls hide “a piece of who you are in order to fit into a picture of what others seem to see as perfection”. The letter gets pretty deep in explaining some of her lyrics and how the metaphors express her stronger feelings of masking herself in the makeup. “I was not good enough for the world to see”, she says in one of her lyrics.
With all of these ill feelings, she started to dig deeper within herself. Meditation became her escape, and she began to reevaluate her image on the inside of herself (which I am working on myself… I feel you girl!) She arrived to the photo shoot for her new album, and the photographer wanted to shoot her just as she was. Bare face, not a stich of makeup, flaws and all.
Now… here is the good part… the controversial part.
She said “I felt powerful because my initial intentions realized themselves. My desire to listen to myself, to tear down the walls I built over all those years, to be full of purpose, and to be myself! The universe was listening to those things I’d promised myself, or maybe I was just finally listening to the universe, but however it goes, that’s how this whole #nomakeup thing began. Once the photo I took with Paola came out as the artwork for my new song ‘In Common,’ it was that truth that resonated with others who posted #nomakeup selfies in response to this real and raw me. I hope to God it’s a revolution. ‘Cause I don’t want to cover up anymore. Not my face, not my mind, not my soul, not my thoughts, not my dreams, not my struggles, not my emotional growth. Nothing.”
After reading her letter, I was saying a resounding “YAAAAAAAAAAASSSSS” in my mind!
I love it when women realize their true beauty shines from within, and when we embrace our natural selves! Now, this is where it gets tricky. Is she saying no makeup at all, though? What about my “No-Makeup-Makeup” look? I knows how to keep it natural (and yes I meant to put that “s” on the end.) ‘Cause, let’s keep it real, if the #nomakeup thing really DOES become a revolution I will be out of a job, and that’s no Buenos. And what about the fun of dressing up, or my passion of makeup artistry. The look in my client’s eyes when they find the perfect lipstick is priceless. Is this a crime? Needless to say, I am on the fence with this one, Mrs. Keys.
Do I really have to choose what team I’m on in the #nomakeup revolution?
I really think there is a beautiful balance that we need to find. The delicate balance of knowing who you are inside and being true to yourself on the outside. This is a true struggle for many, and some try to mask their true selves behind the glam and lashes. I say, once you become true to yourself, your true light will shine with or without makeup.
What do you think about this #nomakeup revolution? Are you team #makeup or #nomakeup?
-By Ryan Whitney Pratt of www.bestiesandbrunch.com