Show Her She's Wonderful

aliewa:

But which one of me is prettier?

I’ve been seeing a LOT of “beauty is on the inside” and “don’t apologize for who you are” posts, so I thought I’d throw in my two cents. 

Above, there are seven pictures of me. I think it’s easy to tell which one is really me. If it’s not…I’m not really sure where you’ve been. 

I’m all for makeup; it’s freaking FUN. It’s fun to see how the smallest things can hide something or bring out something else. The smallest change can be the biggest change. Really, I don’t wear that much makeup at all. I normally just wear brown eyeliner and brown mascara, because my eyelashes are really light and hard to see. Sometimes I’ll put on some tan eyeshadow that has a little sparkle in it, but really, that’s the extent of what I put on my face in the morning. Obviously, there are times where I put on more than that. I mean, I’m a theatre major; I know a LOT about makeup and all the little tricks. Do I feel fabulous with dark eye makeup, red lipstick, and filled in eyebrows? Yes. Do I get more compliments? Yes. But it’s just for fun. If when you’re taking off you’re makeup at the end of the day, you don’t feel just as beautiful as you did with it on, there is something wrong. I know it’s weird, but it’s my favorite part of the day: taking off my makeup, looking at myself, and knowing I got through another day. 

We get a lot of pressure. Am I sexier with smokey eyes and red lips? Am I prettier with straightened hair? Am I better looking with my controlled curls, after I have my hair in braids overnight? Does my shimmery lip gloss make you want to kiss me? Normally, the answer that I (and anyone else) will get is that yes, you are. You’re pretty just the way you are, but you’re prettiER with _______. And honestly, that’s someone’s OPINION, not fact. What matters is when YOU feel beautiful. It’s okay to go crazy and put on a lot of makeup, as long as you don’t lose sight of who you are. When it becomes something you hide behind and that you won’t leave the house without, that means you think that who you are isn’t good enough without it. 

But you are.

and so am I.

So here’s a picture of me right now: sweats, no makeup, glasses, frizzy hair, and a genuine smile:

I think I look beautiful.