Exactly one year ago (or a few days earlier/later, don't get your panties all in a knot), I posted this article about body shaming and the infamous cringe-worthy saying..."should you/she be wearing that?"
Although this isn't my most popular post, I believe it is one of my most important, because of the wide spread presence of this body negative mindset. So, to honour the importance of "live and let live", I am taking you on an exciting adventure through time and space, back to a scary era I like to call...
9th grade.
Ah, yes, a beautiful age indeed. Slowly growing out of that god-awful awkward phase, yet still caring both too much and not enough about what others are saying and doing. It was the year my mental health became more than just a part of me; it became a problem.
And during the ins and outs of bad decisions and toxic friendships, I turned to the one thing that kept me going through a long hard day of drama and Algebra.
Rainbow eyes.
Don't know it? Google it.
My adaption of a rainbow eye, I must say, was executed quite professionally. I woke up very early in the morning, blended 4 different super bright eyeshadows onto my eyelids, and marched my angst-filled neon butt to school.
 |
| Just another Manic (Panic) Monday for 9th grade me |
Funnily enough, I had raging anxiety at the time, and could barely breathe without thinking the world was staring at and judging me. But somehow, in this one particular instance, I didn't give a single fudge.
Now, as some of you know, I write for a beauty magazine, Drop Of Pink, and with that comes a lot of research and time spent on other beauty and health blogs and webzines, so I know ALL ABOUT what makeup girls should wear to school or work, what makeup girls should avoid at all costs, blablabla.
I even found a video, which I will not link because I ain't giving those girls more views, that mocks girls who wear their makeup differently, who make bold choices.
...And let me tell you, that pisses me off.
Look, I know it's just beauty products, nothing too serious.
But it's more than that, it's about identity, and the freedom to express yourself.
When I was 15, my life was a very typical miserable teenage experience. Few things got my out of bed in the morning. One of which was caking on drag makeup on a regular 'ole Tuesday morning.
Maybe it wasn't that natural, maybe it didn't look that great, but by God it made me happy.
So as I watch these videos, and read these articles, I can't help but think of present 15 year olds, who find little joy in anything these days, but who love dying their hair bright purple, or wearing 2940 pounds of eyeliner, or wearing tutus to school...
What if they watch those videos, or read those articles, and decide that they are being ridiculous, that because it's not the norm it's not okay.
There is enough pressure to conform in the world, right down to the mascara you should wear, and not enough encouragement to be your own self.
So here is my little piece of encouragement, to all my freaks and geeks:
If it's not their faces, or their hair, or their bodies, it's not their problem.
Do what makes you happy (that is legal, I'm not vouching for you in court babes)
I hope you can all take something from this article, whether or not you're a drag baby like moi.
Have a lovely day babies
xoxo
Gabby
I even found a video, which I will not link because I ain't giving those girls more views, that mocks girls who wear their makeup differently, who make bold choices.
...And let me tell you, that pisses me off.
Look, I know it's just beauty products, nothing too serious.
But it's more than that, it's about identity, and the freedom to express yourself.
When I was 15, my life was a very typical miserable teenage experience. Few things got my out of bed in the morning. One of which was caking on drag makeup on a regular 'ole Tuesday morning.
Maybe it wasn't that natural, maybe it didn't look that great, but by God it made me happy.
So as I watch these videos, and read these articles, I can't help but think of present 15 year olds, who find little joy in anything these days, but who love dying their hair bright purple, or wearing 2940 pounds of eyeliner, or wearing tutus to school...
What if they watch those videos, or read those articles, and decide that they are being ridiculous, that because it's not the norm it's not okay.
There is enough pressure to conform in the world, right down to the mascara you should wear, and not enough encouragement to be your own self.
So here is my little piece of encouragement, to all my freaks and geeks:
If it's not their faces, or their hair, or their bodies, it's not their problem.
Do what makes you happy (that is legal, I'm not vouching for you in court babes)
I hope you can all take something from this article, whether or not you're a drag baby like moi.
Have a lovely day babies
xoxo
Gabby
No comments:
Post a Comment