Everyday, girls are bashed for one reason or another; we live in a society of double standards. We are criticized for dressing too modest but questioned if we wear a crop top; scrutinized for wearing too much makeup but condemned when barefaced. However, during the VMAs, Alicia Keys broke all societal barriers and shocked the public when she stepped out with a completely natural face. Her reasoning? After battling her own personal insecurities and seeing the pressure young girls face to look perfectly put together, Keys vowed not to wear makeup in public. While she kept her promise at the VMAs and sent a very powerful message, it did not go unnoticed with the haters. Negative comments included calling Keys’ makeup-less campaign “annoying” and her looks “fake.” But Keys’ was quick to defend herself, taking to her Twitter to say “choosing to be makeup free doesn’t mean I’m anti-makeup. Do you!”
Pretty much the best advice I’ve ever heard while in college is “you do you”. If you’re the girl who wakes up an hour earlier each morning just to put on some makeup and do your hair, good for you. If you’re one to roll out of bed 10 minutes before class, with only enough time to put on a bra and brush your teeth, good for you too.
But whichever type of girl you are, make sure it’s for the right reasons; don’t wear makeup just because you think boys like it better that way or because society says women are only beautiful with makeup on. Honestly, going out with a bare face has got to be one of the most empowering feelings in the world! But of course, so is rocking some red lipstick. Either way, be confident in your own skin because you are beautiful!