No Makeup Selfies: Stop Being Ass Hats

Originally I was tentative about posting a picture of myself barefaced and claiming it was for cancer awareness. Like that weird KONY thing (which I have seen people draw comparisons to) I thought it was something that would pass, and was confused about the motivation behind it. I didn't want to just do it because everybody else was.

What changed my mind was the simple fact that the campaign made £1million overnight. How could anyone now deny its usefulness or criticise the #nomakeupselfie? 

If you know anything about charities you will know that awareness is a major part in making money. If people know about something, they are more likely to know to donate (obviously). That's why advertising in general is a thing: it makes money. 

All obvious so far, but you'd be surprised how many people don't get this. 

I find the same sort of people who criticise charities for spending money on adverts, and not specifically that which they are trying to raise money for, are those who are criticising the no makeup trend. 

What they don't realise is that awareness is so, so vital to charities. 

For those who say 'well why not just donate, why do you have to proclaim it to the world?' I say: well I'm glad you're so altruistic, but not everyone is. Amazing if you already do donate, but look how many people have been peer-pressured into donating and being a source of advertisement for cancer charities, who may not have otherwise. 

Another niggle for 'haters' was the fact that people were using the guise of cancer awareness as an excuse to fulfill their own narcissim. This is why it is important to mention the reasoning behind the lack of makeup in your pictures, people. The selfies of women looking glorious without makeup (perpetuated by a fair amount of celebrities) perhaps reinforced this viewpoint. Of course you don't want a hideous picture of yourself out in the world, but looking flawless - in dimmed lighting with perhaps just a smidgen of concealer - isn't helping to dispel that irritating ideology that makeup is unnatural and women are tricksters for wearing it. I like to think this is why I didn't want to look so amazing in my own pic...

Furthermore critics are questioning the 'bravery' it takes for women to upload pictures of themselves without makeup. I'm going to go out a limb and proclaim that it is frankly chivalric - it's certainly cool for once to be bombarded with images of women who aren't looking 'perfect'. 

Let's remember that those going through chemotherapy do not look their best. 

The no make up selfie has raised a middle finger to critics anyway. The campaign has now garnered over £2million and I am very proud to be a part of it. 

Text BEAT to 70099 to donate.

Had to wrangle Beyonce in some way, sorry