Alicia Keys clarifies no-makeup stance to curb makeup shaming

When it comes to award shows, celebrities typically choose to go the full nine yards in terms of preparation, hiring makeup artists and hair stylists to craft their perfect look for the night out. Even the minimalist, no-makeup, makeup look (like Kim Kardashian’s VMAs look) takes hordes of makeup products and skincare prep just to give off the “I woke up like this” appearance. Knowing this, it’s no wonder that the internet went absolutely crazy (in both a good way and bad) over the fact that Alicia Keys went completely bare-faced for the MTV Video Music Awards this past Sunday.

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Unsurprisingly, Alicia’s bare-faced appearance at the VMAs caused quite the controversy within the twitter-verse (even though Alessia Cara also chose to go makeup free), with fans believing that the singer was making a statement against the use of makeup for all women, rather than just using it as a preference for herself. Considering there are no celebrities left that are allowed to do their own thing without the repercussions of Twitter, this isn’t exactly shocking.

In response to the outcry of controversy, Alicia Keys felt it necessary to tell fans that just because she isn’t wearing makeup right now doesn’t mean she doesn’t like it. In a tweet posted yesterday, Alicia wrote, “Y'all, me choosing to be makeup free doesn’t mean I’m anti-makeup. Do you!”

The #NoMakeup social media movement might have first started as a way for women to show confidence and to break the standard that all women need to wear makeup daily, but some have turned it into yet another way to shame women. Makeup shaming has become so prevalent, that even YouTube makeup artists have spoken out about it, with one of the most notable examples being a video posted by YouTuber NikkieTutorials.

“I’ve been noticing a lot lately that girls have been almost ashamed to say they love makeup,” Nikkie explains in the video. “Because nowadays, when you say you love makeup, you either do it because you want to look good for boys, you do it because you’re insecure, or you do it because you don’t love yourself.”

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If you take a look at other celebrities like Lady Gaga, for instance, she uses makeup as a form of art, rather than as something that society requires of her.

Point being, whether you’re a fan of makeup or not, you shouldn’t feel ashamed of your preference. Whether you choose to wear makeup or go bare-faced, either way you should be making the decision for you and you only.

- Julie Ricevuto

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