Wednesday, April 3, 2013

No Makeup March

We're in the thick of blog relaunch week (enter the super awesome giveaway!), so here's something a little bit different and more personal in nature. Welcome to my life!

Last week, I posted this picture (and a few others if you want to follow me on Instagram @kbsimplephoto) of my daughter and I as we joined the last week of the No Makeup March campaign.



(Taken with my iPhone, no filters, SOOC)

If you didn't hear about No Makeup March, I heard about it HERE, on one of my fave webpages, AltDaily. You may remember that AltDaily had a recent Share & Support Feature on the Hampton Roads Creative, which you can catch up with HERE.

In any event, No Makeup March. We joined the cause late, but for me, encouraging my daughter to remember that true beauty comes from within and that she didn't need makeup to be a good person was an important lesson whether we did it for one day, one week, one year or the rest of our lives. Hearing her protests that the kids would make fun of her and her discomfort with her own appearance made my heart hurt. My position was "Yes, this is hard. It won't be easy. But sometimes doing something right is more important than being popular. And you're standing up for women everywhere. And besides, I'm pretty sure when God created you, He didn't finish off with 'Done! I'm sure she'll look better once she puts some mascara on.' Nope, instead He said 'Done. She is perfect. She is mine.' So, let's do this thing." And we did.

Our picture was loved on for hours, with tons and tons of "likes" (ALL WOMEN!) and encouraging comments. I had Emily write down how her day felt. This is what she said:

"When I got to school and I got into my classroom, one of my friends said, "HUUUUHHHH???!!! EMILY, YOU DON'T HAVE MAKEUP ON." (Editor's note: She wrote this in capital letters - the only part with capitals - so I assume it made an impact on her.) When I was in my other class, my Science teacher came in and was like "Emily, you don't have makeup on. Now I can see your true beauty and it's nice to see a kid without black eyeliner all around their face." And she said thank you for letting me see your true beauty. So I have realized that I don't need makeup for people to notice me, so yeah, I can wear makeup but I, myself, (and you!!) don't need makeup to look beautiful. You're beautiful just the way you are. Show people what you really look like behind all that makeup!! Thank you. Love, Emily B."

My point with this blog post is that I think this idea needs to be shared constantly. Over and over and over again. I had a recent boudoir client who responded to her reveal (read about my heart for those HERE) with "You helped me see how perfect I am right now in this moment." Those were probably the most powerful words I'd ever heard coming from a client. I felt a sense of honor and trust that I can't put into words. It was a defining moment for me. One where I realized a true spiritual gift and made a promise to continue to seek opportunities to encourage and empower women.

As a society, as women, we need to love on each other. It's so easy to spend our moments categorizing other's shortcomings in some ill-equipped attempt to validate ourselves. We so often sit in front of the mirror and admonish every wrinkle, every dimple and curve. Take a moment to celebrate the woman you are and celebrate the women you know. Sometimes those few simple words of admiration are the highlight of someone's day. There should be more confidence in knowing that each and every one of us is "perfect right now in this moment."

I mean, seriously, can you believe this girl is scared to go to school without makeup? We can do better as a society. I can do better as a parent.

 photo katysig_zps9f065155.png


10 comments:

  1. LOVE this!! You two are so beautiful and make an awesome mother/daughter team. <3

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  2. BEE-U-TIFUL! the photo and the heart of what E discovered about herself and others! :)

    ::heart:: you muchas!!!

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  3. Emily is stunning! I saw this picture on pinterest and was just floored. Great photo, beautiful girl. BRAVO, Emily!

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  4. I am so blessed to have such wonderfully courageous women as part of my family! You both inspire me everyday. I am soooooo freaking proud of Emily for doing what I know was uncomfortable for her...and in middle school, which is probably the hardest years of her life! I am all behind empowering women to find their true beauty...that which lies beneath the surface. Emily's teacher gave her a wonderful affirmation in responding the way she did. I love makeup just as much as the next woman, but it should not be a mask or replacement for a real appreciation of who we really are. We need to really teach this to our daughters so that they value themselves and others...recently, a 13 year old girl from Mt. View, committed suicide because of bullying...proof that we need to lift eachother up and not make others want to disappear. I am proud of you both...

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  5. You really are amazing. Honestly, I'm so glad I have got to know you because this thing you do... To help women and girls feel beautiful for who they are... It's so important and amazing.. I truly have no words. Thank you for sharing your gift. Ps. Your daughter is tremendously beautiful!

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  6. Thank you all for the wonderful support and words of encouragement! I am excited to share them with Emily today. She will be very excited! Love to all -

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  7. I love this post. It is so important for every woman to realize that they don't have to hide behind make-up to feel beautiful and for others to appreciate their beauty. I'm guilty of this though, not wanting to leave the house without make-up on in fear that someone will think negatively about it. I've realized, too, that beauty is within and not what's on the outside of our face. Thank you for sharing this! I needed to hear it, again!

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  8. I knew from the day she was born she was a special little girl. Her Grampa asked me the other day if I wore make up when I was 12? May answer was, "I was still playing with dolls!" But, I know that it's a different world now and little girls grow up a lot faster for a lot of different reasons :( I'm extraordinarily proud of you for your encouragement and extremely proud that my granddaughter has enough courage and inner strength to listen to you as a parent and actually do it! I can tell from what she wrote that it had an impact on her and, most likely, other girls her age and even her teacher! It does my heart good! Love you both! XOXO

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  9. I agree totally that makeup hides a woman's beauty. A woman's beauty is seen in her smile and her eyes. Also makeup and hair dyes are unhealthy for you. Thanks for being brave and sharing. Love to my beautiful grand daughter and Katy.

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  10. The Kiddo and Kidlet are 7 and 9 and ask to wear makeup all.the.time. I admit fault when I look at pictures of myself and say "wow, I need to put on some makeup." BUT they're only 7 and 9 and to be so.focused on this at such a young age is truly frightening. Bravo to you Katy, and to you too Emily, for being so brave and beautiful and showing what is more than skin deep. Keep up the good work and maybe some of your friends will start going without, or with less, just to be as beautiful as you are.

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