Embracing your natural beauty can improve your confidence, self-esteem, and well-being. However, 39% of women wear make-up every day to conceal their imperfections and enhance their features. 15 times Grammy-award winner Alicia Keys is campaigning for women to pare down their make-up routines. Keys has been make-up free since 2016 and has recently launched a natural make-up range to encourage others that less is more.
Introducing ‘Make You’
Keys’ new make-up line is called ‘Make You’ and was debuted at the Met Gala 2022. Just a handful of items make up the collection, including tinted lip balm, cream blush, brow gel, and a complexion brush. Keys describes the line as “color-skincare hybrid” products that will nurture your skin. For example, the Comforting Tinted Lip Balm is meant to smooth and soften the lips, while the Sheer Flush Cheek Tint is described as being moisturizing and nourishing.
The benefits of no make-up
It was the singer’s busy career that led her to ditch make-up six years ago and later launch her own make-up range. Keys says that as she made it big in Hollywood she felt under pressure to wear lots of make-up for photoshoots, events, and gigs. She realized that she didn’t have to do anything or wear anything that she didn’t want to and this led to her saying no to make-up. She has since revealed that her first make-up free photoshoot was an exciting one, saying it was “the strongest, most empowered, most free, and most honestly beautiful that I have ever felt.” Alicia has admitted that she does now wear the occasional bit of make-up, but points out that she does it on her terms.
Healthier skin
Alicia’s make-up artist Dotti is all about promoting healthy skin and no make-up. She recommends a healthy diet and a jade roller. She’s also revealed that Keys keeps her skin in top condition with regular facials and acupuncture. Plump, glowing, hydrated skin is the key to healthy-looking skin. Along with Dotti’s advice, you can also have Skin Booster treatments. This involves a small amount of hyaluronic acid solution being injected into the skin. The skin immediately looks better as Skin Boosters can increase hydration by as much as 61% and skin glow by 60%.
Musical inspiration
In 2016, Keys started writing her sixth studio album. The lyrics to a song titled ‘A Girl Can’t Be Herself’ reveals how she was sick and tired of being pressured to wear make-up just because she was in the industry. The words include:
‘What if I don’t want to put on all that make-up?
Who says I must conceal what I’m made of?
Maybe all this Maybelline is covering my self-esteem?
At this point, having been in the music industry for 15 years, it’s clear to see that Alicia wanted to gain back control of her beauty routine. She boldly turned up to the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards without any on and hasn’t looked back since.
An increasing number of artists are going make-up free, including Adele, Jennifer Aniston, and Nicole Kidman. Alicia Keys shows that being an artist in the music industry can take its toll and that it’s fine to do what you want to do.
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Bio: Jennifer Owen is a freelance writer and creative arts graduate looking to forge a career celebrating her passion for the written word. When not writing she’s probably reading or enjoying beachside walks near her home.
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