Social Media and Self Love

Wearing Fenty Beauty powder foundation

   At the beginning of this year, I got an opportunity to review the new Fenty Beauty powder foundation. It was sent to me complimentary for reviewing purposes. I also had to submit very specific photos for the campaign. For the photos I couldn’t wear jewelry, my makeup had to be very natural using the foundation and my hair had to be away from my face. While I was prepping for these photos I had a moment where I was looking in the mirror and I felt uncomfortable. Seeing myself with my hair pulled back, no earrings, no excessive lashes, or anything I felt like I looked like a boy. It clicked to me at that moment that I have associated certain characteristics with me feeling beautiful and feeling like a woman. I’m so used to my hair being down and in my face, extra concealer to cover up my bags that I felt uncomfortable taking these pictures. 

        Being a content creator on social media platforms, especially creating hair and makeup content, there is this urge to look perfect. Every post has to be perfectly edited. Not a blemish in sight, not a curl out of place, and while I am constantly creating, I had to think about how these things were affecting me. Thankfully with the help of my photographer, for these shots, I was able to shake off those thoughts and create some great shots. This moment was an eye-opener for me. If something like my hair, my makeup, or lack thereof, made me feel so out of place then that’s a real problem. I refuse to let social media distort the image I have of myself and I encourage others to make sure that the same isn't happening for them. 

      My solution to this problem was to pause not only creating content but wearing makeup and styling my hair a certain way. I think that there’s a dark side to social media, more so when you’re in the beauty industry but even in general. People have gotten used to seeing perfection and sometimes that person is yourself! These filters and edits make you look so flawless that when you see yourself without it, it’s easy to question your worth. I’m here to be that gentle reminder that you are still beautiful without these “ enhancements”.  I don’t want to ever feel like I don’t look my best without it. I'm not saying that every day you have to be barefaced or that there is anything wrong with wearing makeup, but when you start to not love what you see in the mirror, that’s a problem. Don’t let social media make you question what you see in the mirror or without those filters because the truth is that’s not you. As much as I love makeup and I love being creative with different looks, one thing that has always been important to me is that I want to look at makeup as an enhancement. 

       All in all, I took this as a learning experience, and as time went on and we took more shots I started to feel more and more comfortable. Check out the final results below and in my portfolio and remember, you’re amazingggg, just the way you are, in my Bruno Mars voice.