Singer/songwriter Alicia Keys has started her own no makeup movement and people have a lot to say about it.
On May 31, Keys wrote an essay for Lenny Letter about why she has decided to go makeup free, and the struggles she has faced, both in and out of the world of entertainment, to feel empowered and beautiful.
“All of it is so freakin’ impossible,” Keys said to the idea that women have to look a certain way, act a certain way, or weigh a specific weight to be labeled beautiful.
Keys went on to tell readers that it was while working on her newest album, “In Common,” did she begin to realize just how fed up she was with conforming to it all.
But it wasn’t until she walked into a photo shoot for her latest album did Keys finally stumble across the moment where she could truly be herself.
Her photographer loved how raw she looked walking into the studio. Coming from the gym, Keys had on a sweatshirt and no makeup, hair tied up in a scarf.
Loving how real Keys looked in that moment, her photographer insisted they shoot her as is.
The result is a stunning photo of Keys, confidently unconfident in her own skin.
Keys has continued to rock a makeup free face, attending the 2016 MTV VMAs without a drop of makeup on her face.
Vibin’ with friends tonight at the #VMAs ? pic.twitter.com/T0qAnu9p4N
— Alicia Keys (@aliciakeys) August 29, 2016
Her latest photoshoots are sans makeup, and she will be filming the hit TV show The Voice without any makeup on.
Supporters and critics have taken to social media to express their thoughts, but Keys maintains she is going makeup free for herself.
Y'all, me choosing to be makeup free doesn't mean I'm anti-makeup. Do you! ?? pic.twitter.com/Mg0Ug9YA9q
— Alicia Keys (@aliciakeys) August 29, 2016
However, this is not the first time women have taken a stance against the pressure they feel to look perfect.
The #NoMakeup Movement has been trending on Instagram, but this is one of the first times a celebrity as big as Keys has picked up the movement and ran with it.
In a world where women are pressured to maintain a certain appearance, or are told in order to succeed in life they must look and act a certain way, having someone like Keys take a stand and remind women it’s okay to be you is refreshing.
Whether it’s not wearing makeup, choosing to let go of unrealistic diet expectations, or walking away from what others expect you to be, having the confidence to stand up for yourself and what makes you happy shows strength and beauty.
Because we all are beautiful in our own way, and in all our perfect imperfections.
