The Meaning behind the No Makeup Selfie

If you’ve been on any social media over the past few weeks, you’ll have come across the no makeup selfie. They’re everywhere.  What is the real meaning of the no makeup selfie and what does it say about society at large?

Selfie are already everywhere, Oliver Rawlings readers, these days they are as natural a part of modern life as breathing, sleeping and eating. They’re so big even President Barack Obama is doing it. I bet you’ve done it regularly, reader.

So it’s hardly surprising that there’s a selfie trend; what is surprising is the fact that it is a no makeup trend. Basically people are taking pictures of themselves without makeup and posting them to their social media accounts to raise awareness.

It’s certainly working, and you could definitely label it a trend. Everyone from the person on the street, to the celebrity in Hollywood, to even the odd politician is getting in on the action. It’s been grabbing international headlines.

So why is it generating so much attention? The reason has to be the attachment society has to vanity. Many women often feel naked without makeup on and therefore this suggests that the makeup selfie is the ultimate expression of nakedness, of metaphorical honesty.

This metaphorical honesty explains why people feel that no makeup selfies will raise awareness of cancer. Being honest, in any sense, with the hardest parts of yourself is one of the bravest things you can possibly do. Indeed, people are being congratulated on the bravery they have shown in daring to post pictures of themselves online bare-faced.

This feeds into the common cancer discourse. As is right, those who live with and overcome cancer are seen as some of the bravest people in the world. Those who turn their horrific experience into an awareness raising campaign are even more so. So there is a clear correlation; it’s bravery highlighting bravery, honesty, highlighting honesty, all to raise awareness.

However, I believe that the no makeup selfie says something bigger about society. The fact that we see simply taking a picture of yourself bare-faced as an expression of honesty implies we have something to be ashamed about when it comes to the way we naturally look.

We still need something to cover the supposed imperfections to make us acceptable, and in the modern world, that in itself is unacceptable. Perhaps the no makeup selfie will raise this kind of awareness and understanding as well.