Inpsirational: Alicia Keys #nomakeup

Hello Lovelies,

Today's post is focusing on raw, natural, beauty. 

When I think of that, my mind goes straight to Alicia Keys. If you haven't noticed, Alicia Keys has been stepping out in the spotlight with no makeup. 

That's right. 

No makeup!

As a professional makeup artist, I actually find this really refreshing. While I will always believe that makeup is a powerful and positive thing, it can also be very crippling for many people. 

Alicia Keys wrote an article in Lenny Letter HERE about her no makeup journey, and it is really inspiring. To see someone who is always being photographed and in the spotlight, being comfortable in her own skin enough to show up to the VMA's with NO MAKEUP on-- it was awesome!

photo: RCA/Paola Kudacki

I think she's a great role model for women all over. Finding the strength to be comfortable in your own skin and having the confidence to show the world that you are beautiful just the way you are, is an incredible feat and is challenging for most of us. 

As a professional artist I am faced with people's insecurities, facades, and distorted perceptions. Most women I work with have no idea how beautiful they really are. 

When looking at a client's face, all I see are the beautiful parts of the face-- Great cheekbones, lovely brows, gorgeous eye colors and shapes.
So often we are focusing our energy on what can be better? 
What can I do to fix this? 

We are constantly keeping focus on whatever we see as negative. This is SO damaging. We are all too hard on ourselves. 

So here's what I have to say... 

Take a break. Slowly start to wear less, and less makeup. Really. 

The more we cover ourselves up, the more we lose sight of our true beauty and create a negative association with ourselves in our natural state. I have so many clients that I've worked with that can't even fathom the idea of leaving the house without putting any makeup on! 

Now why would a makeup artist suggest taking a break from makeup?! isn't that my job?? Isn't that how I make a living?? 

Of course I love my job.
And I really do love the positive effects makeup can have. But in this craze of heavy makeup application, and contours, and exaggerated features, I think it's important to step back and appreciate what you have. It's so easy to lose sight of ourselves especially amongst all the outside pressures of the media surrounding us.

Alicia Keys mentions in her article that she turned to meditation to find a deeper sense of self. This is important! We are being fed through the media that all women need to do to be perceived a certain way. Many of us feel the pressure to wear their hair a certain way, or do their makeup just right-- and I'm guilty of it too! Everyone is affected.

Now I  do believe in taking care of yourself. I do believe in the mantra, "Look good, feel good." I do believe that everyone has their own version of beauty.
I don't want to be another source telling you what to do and how you should look-- I want to be a resource for you. I want you to come to my site as a reader and know that if you wanted to know how to take better care of your skin, you could go Here. Or if you wanted to learn about bronzer because you started using it and you're not sure you're doing it properly, you could go Here.

Of course I have my own personal aesthetic when it comes to makeup, but as a professional, you have to learn to appreciate all forms.

So while I urge you to challenge yourself and slowly learn to love yourself a little more, maybe one day you can contribute to the #nomakeup trend. You just might be surprised at how good it can make you feel.

In the meantime, let's not criticize one another for how we decide to present ourselves to the world.
Let's appreciate all forms of beauty. 

Pay someone a compliment today, it just might make their day!