Ironically, I stumbled upon the “This is How Makeup Really Looks” TikTok trend on YouTube. These compilations revealed people showing their unfiltered skin and closeups on their foundation, blush, bronzer, and eye makeup. The trend also explains how makeup, in its nature, sits on the skin and does not “fix” the texture we have. YouTube has influenced our idea of makeup and what it can achieve. Unfortunately, we have come to hold makeup (and ourselves) to an unrealistic standard as a result.
While we know that makeup can’t cover all of our imperfections, I really enjoyed seeing people being honest about their skin and accepting their blemishes and texture. I started getting acne when I was in elementary school. Since I was so young and not very many people my age were struggling with the red spots on their face yet, I felt very alone. I was particularly conscious of my skin, and used my mom’s foundation to cover my acne. At times, I even wore makeup to bed.
When I was in middle school, I trimmed my bangs to hide the red splotches on my forehead. I began a skin regimen using a facial cleanser, a toning product, and retinol cream. The acne let up some, but I started falling out of the good skin habits I formed. My acne transferred from my nose and forehead to my cheekbones. When I was in high school, I found something that promised better results from my hormonal acne with a dermatologist.
My acne story has been a long one, and it’s something that I still struggle with to this day; my skin is far from my ideal. Clearer, yes. Perfect? Heck no. It’s difficult to fully accept the imperfections of my skin – from the periodic pimple outbreaks to the ever-present dark circles. So, this particular makeup trend really resonates with me and my struggle with being ok with facing the world with my skin, even if my makeup can’t cover all flaws.
I don’t have to endlessly search for the perfect foundation to conceal my flaws. I need to accept the Makeup Trend’s idea that my skin tells my story, and I can accept it if it doesn’t meet the standards I want to hold it to.