February 13, 2013

• sans masque

   EDIT: before you read, let me just say, i ENVY girls who go out the door completely comfortably with no makeup on. Every time I want to do that, I find myself freaking out and grabbing my mascara wand and brushing just one layer over my eyes, even though it probably doens't make a gigantic difference...but psychologically, in my head, it makes a world's difference. Also, I am not trying to criticize the modeling industry, just trying to let some women and men understand certain things! Aside from the obvious corrupt bits and pieces of the industry, just like any other industry, I do think it produces great art, revenue, and a creative outlet among many of the other things that are not related to the main topic of this. 

   

  Most of the pictures of my face closeup on my xanga and everywhere else excluding my modeling polaroids have not been makeup free- it's either runway/photoshoot makeup or my go to mascara, maybe some red lip if i go out with friends.

  I'm huge on the natural beauty thing, but it's hard to take your own advice/word sometimes. I can tell other women/men they look fine the way they are, especially my best girlfriends, but it took me 22 years to be completely comfortable with my naked face. 

  I took a shower and let my hair dry, and just took three shots in different lighting without editing/makeup

  Here's the thing, my modeling pictures are cool and glamorous and they will sell products. A lot of people say things to me like "you're gorgeous!" etc etc which I really appreciate, but sometimes it makes me feel guilty because my face is covered to look like an image which is deemed attractive, although it shows that they like my work (not just mine! photographer, makeup artist, stylist, hair stylist, retoucher, etc etc) 

  So to all the men who look at me when I have my mascara on , or certain clothes etc etc, for all the girls who look at my pictures and go wow! 

  here is my face without makeup and unadorned, plain.  

  
  

  

   

   

  So here's the naked truth (harhar) Without the makeup, the clothes, the hair done, I'm not so glamorous nor am I the image that is photographed (though that's good because that means I'm doing my job ). I do not look like this:

   

   

   

  (first picture for shore life magazine, second picture for seth aaron henderson project 7 winner runway)

   

  I'm not criticizing the talent in the industry from the the MUAs, hairstylists, photographers, models, stylists, publishing companies, etc etc, since they do phenomenal work.

  I do want to emphasize that I do not look like this all the time. or rather I should say, I do not look like this (two pictures above) naturally. My lips aren't naturally that red, my eyes are not naturally that pronounced, my cheeks are not naturally that highlighted/shiny. That is all in the talented work of MUAs and photographers.

  I am trying to break the image that is portrayed already through magazines, half naked and madeup women heralded for what is considered beauty. 

  The pictures that you see on victorias secret, guess, whatever other advertisements, are NOT the only definitions of beauty nor should they completely determine your definition of beauty. You do not have to look like the picture tat is shown to you to be beautiful.

  I hope that no one takes this as my saying anything bad about makeup artists or people who use makeup. MUA's use their talent in order to create an image, to portray a look and they do it wonderfully- not everyone is able to acquire that type of art well. But I think it's important to differentiate between that( creating a look) and using makeup to cover up your insecurity or attempt to turn your face into what you see in magazines. 

   What's nice about the industry now, though, is that although you see models being drawn on and photoshopped and glammed up in magazines tv and runway, and whatever other media, there is a celebration of their completely natural beauty. there are blogs that will take only picture sof them without an ounce of makeup and forums that praise these men and women for having natural, untouched beauty.

  I think i'ts completely fine to look at the cover of vogue or whatever else you dote upon and think to yourself, WOW they looks amazing! Fei Fei sun/coco rocha/etc looks great! she's beautiful! and so on. but don't diminish yourself because you are unique as well in comparison, you're probably just not what the industry wants at the time being. 

  Embrace what you have, and don't be fooled by the pervasive media, both men and women. Learn to shine from within and learn to love and appreciate that which is within others over what they show simply on the shell of their body, even models. Don't covet things that will fade as time eats away at the skin, instead work on your brain. Yes we all want to look pretty, including myself, it's natural. But don't forget about the things that will actually help the world, such as your brain and your heart.

  As a model, I hope to one day have enough of a voice that will be paid attention to in order to progress the human condition/life. 

   

  music time:

  one of my favorites 

  "The opposite of love's indifference"  
  So very true, but I think what makes me run away is anger and hatred. 

  "Pay attention now, I'm standing on your porch screaming out
  And I wont leave until you come downstairs"

  it's always good to know that a proclamation of love isn't just through words but through a fight. not altercation, but a fight to grasp love and make it stay.

  or maybe i'm just too young as people usually tell me when we discuss this topic...

   

  but no matter what you believe, love yourself first before you go and attach your heart to somoene else. because that person will eventually become your identity if you aren't careful. Don't let fear drag you away, but in all circumstances, be careful. But love, and be fearless this valentines day (and all other days. but it's just a good excuse, vday )

   

  • 6:35 pm
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