We Need To Talk About Pamela Anderson
I want to talk about Pamela Anderson. Not the Baywatch or other stuff. I want to talk about her recent trend which is no make up, nada. And I am so here for it.
I don’t know why but I just never cared for make up. When I was younger it may very well have been a sensory issue… the small and have different textures and solutions on my face. Now as a mom I have much less time, if I wanted to prioritize it. But I still don’t prioritize it. Why? And why does Pamela Anderson seem to be having so much fun without it? Including campaign work that I would assume is paid? Doesn’t that go against everything we are told about beauty?
For full disclosure I do offer clients the option for hair and make up in the studio. But a tiny confession here? I don’t care if they have it or not. I do realize that it can give certain clients a boost of confidence that might be a little extra tentative in front of the camera. But I also realize (and relate) that it can make some clients a little more uncertain if they are not used to it.
Now I want to elaborate on not being used to it. I think that this can come in 2 forms. The first form is where it physically and mentally makes you uncomfortable. This can be sensory- as when I was younger. Or it could just be you know you have it on and some how you become or feel outside of yourself. Personally I am a strong proponent of you being you in front of the camera.
However, if that ‘not being used to it’ is you wear the make up, then look at your final picture and think that is not me, I am not that pretty. I have personally heard this from more than one woman I have photographed. And more sadly they have had friends comment as such on their pictures. One time when I was wearing make up my daughter told me I looked like a clown (and I had barely any on).
So a few take aways here….
A different definition of beauty
I think what Pamela Anderson is doing with her no make up looks are amazing and I wish more women would do it. I truly feel there is a deeper definition of beauty ignored by the industry and world at large. It is a definition regularly covered up by the beauty and associated industries as they market based on look and generally portraying that you will be enough- with their product or service. That there are things about you that they say are not beautiful and somehow these are the standard.
To wear make up… or not to wear make up
If you want to wear makeup- great. If you don’t want to wear make up- great. But please do it for the right reasons. Do it in a way that builds you up. But please know you are worthy of and are beautiful now. Even if things are a mess. Have you ever seen an exhausted, worn out mom caring for a child? A child covered in dirt from head to toe, playing with their puppy? A tired grandma caring for their ailing family member? You are worth being seen and loved as you are.
Recognize there are many definitions of beauty.
There is one from the beauty industry, corporate America- largely marketing to you on the basis of an impossible standard and the message you are not enough. Right now as I write this I am over weight. I have not dealt perfectly with the stress of raising an autistic child. But 2 hours ago we sat in the living room teasing each other, smiling, tickling and giving hugs. This is one of the times I have felt most beautiful and I am currently in sweats, hair in a haphazard ponytail and definitely no make up. I wish I could have a picture of those moments. It is a moment in our mess of a life that I feel beautiful and would love to remember forever with a picture. But unfortunately he is not comfortable in front of the camera and I will likely never get that picture and that picture compares to no society beauty standard that I know of.
So make up or no make up. Society definition or your own. I hope that you will look for beauty, recognize it when you see it and not be afraid of it. If you don’t usually wear make up maybe give yourself the opportunity to feel beautiful with makeup. If you don’t usually wear it, perhaps try going with out.