The Smoke Detector
  • About
    • About TSD
    • Contact us
  • Art / Design
  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Interviews
  • Columns
  • Coding
The Smoke Detector
  • About
    • About TSD
    • Contact us
  • Art / Design
  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Interviews
  • Columns
  • Coding
  • Beauty
  • Columns

The makeup – to wear or not to wear, that is the question?

  • Ivona Josipovic
  • 5 September 2016

Makeup has been around for centuries, but somehow there is still some stigma surrounding it.

It can be bad if you wear too much, some will protest if you don’t wear it at all, but we just say to hell with them all. It is your face, so you should be able to do what you want with it, right?

makeup

While it should be as simple as ‘your body – your choice’ things tend to get a bit more complicated sometimes. That is usually the deal with emotional relationships, and girls tend to get emotional with their makeup. You know, we’ve all had one of those days when we don’t feel that great and we use makeup to cheer ourselves up, or as an armor that hides our inner mood from the world (just because I feel like crap on the inside it doesn’t mean that I want to look like crap too). Also, we’ve all experienced in bigger or smaller amounts the pressure that society puts on us to look a certain way. Add the insecurities that we all have on top of that, and it’s no wonder women can feel bad about themselves if they go makeup free.

alicia keys no makeup

I wouldn’t really say that my make-up bag is too crazy or that I would sell my kidney on the black market just to get that Kylie lip kit that everyone is freaking out about. Still, I have my favourite products and if I’m going out of the house I will in 99% cases (except when going to the gym) have my makeup on. It won’t be full-on-contouring-madness kind of look, but at least some mascara and eyebrow pencil will be used.

That is why I wanted to applaud Alicia Keys for showing up on the red carpet sans makeup. I just thought about how it must take a lot of courage to face the whole world through all the cameras pointed at you, and to be so proud and beautiful as she did. In case you were living under a rock haven’t heard the beautiful singer rocked all natural look at the MTV’s VMAs this year and I loved it. As always, opinions were divided, but I just wanted to scream “Brava!” at her. It took guts to do it and especially at the red carpet that is a synonym for glamour and being all dolled-up. And while I don’t suggest we all throw out our makeup, I know that I want to work my confidence up to the point where I will feel comfortable without a touch of makeup. I appreciate the power it gives me to enhance my beauty, but I also want to feel that the real Ivona is good enough as well. I have Alicia to thank for inspiring me.

What did you think about her VMA appearance? And what kind of relationship do you have with your makeup?

Share
Tweet
Pin it
Share
Share
Related Topics
  • alicia keys
  • confidence
  • girls
  • kylie lip kit
  • makeup
  • mtv vma 2016
  • no makeup
Ivona Josipovic

Ivona Josipovic is a co-founder of The Smoke Detector, writer, fashion stylist, social media manager, curious creature, chocolate lover.

Previous Article
  • Columns

This month we’ll be… September 2016

  • Ivona Josipovic
  • 1 September 2016
View Post
Next Article
  • Fashion

Everything you can imagine is real – Haute Papier

  • Doina Tatu
  • 7 September 2016
View Post
You May Also Like
View Post
  • Fashion

Nordgreen Copenhagen watch review

  • Ivona Josipovic
  • 8 August 2020
View Post
  • Fashion
  • Interviews

Interview with Joanna Bark and Elena Ekström, founders of Bukvy

  • Ivona Josipovic
  • 30 March 2020
View Post
  • Fashion

The evolution of male red carpet style

  • Ivona Josipovic
  • 18 March 2020
View Post
  • Fashion

Christian Louboutin Exhibition, L’Exhibitioniste – Paris 2020

  • Ivona Josipovic
  • 25 February 2020
View Post
  • Fashion

Best Fashion documentaries – part 3

  • Ivona Josipovic
  • 6 March 2020
View Post
  • Fashion

Best handbag brands to know in 2020

  • Ivona Josipovic
  • 11 February 2020
4 comments
  1. sistersandglitters says:
    11 September 2016 at 04:07

    I loved that Alicia Keys just went with NO make-up to the VMA’s and she is just so so so pretty! Great post girl! xo, Sophia from http://www.sistersandglitters.com

    Reply
  2. Reem says:
    12 September 2016 at 17:25

    I love seeing people writing about those topics. it is wonderful to know that you live in a world that really appreciate the natural beauty in humans. after all you don’t need makeup to cover up any thing because we are all beautiful and human being . I believe that people should know that.
    BTW i loved your blogpost. xx

    Reply
  3. Deepti says:
    13 September 2016 at 20:56

    I just came across your blog, and you write so well. I enjoyed reading this post. I love makeup, but also enjoy the days when I can give my face a breather and not wear it. Moderation is key I believe.

    I write Mademoiselle Meets Maquillage and Macaroons and I would love for you to give it a read and subscribe to my blog if you like.
    http://www.mademoisellemeetsmaquillageandmacaroons.com

    Deepti x

    Reply
  4. Pallavi (@wildfirecharm) says:
    8 November 2016 at 10:44

    I think she looked beautiful and it’s a different look! She is changing history and I love it x

    http://www.wildfirecharm.com

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Featured Posts
  • 1
    • Fashion
    Nordgreen Copenhagen watch review
    • 8 August 2020
  • 2
    • Fashion
    • Interviews
    Interview with Joanna Bark and Elena Ekström, founders of Bukvy
    • 30 March 2020
  • 3
    • Fashion
    The evolution of male red carpet style
    • 18 March 2020
  • 4
    • Fashion
    Christian Louboutin Exhibition, L’Exhibitioniste – Paris 2020
    • 25 February 2020
  • 5
    • Fashion
    Best Fashion documentaries – part 3
    • 6 March 2020
  • 6
    • Fashion
    Best handbag brands to know in 2020
    • 11 February 2020
  • 7
    • Fashion
    Best fashion quotes with strong messages
    • 31 January 2020
  • 8
    • Fashion
    10 ways fashion has changed in the 2010s
    • 4 January 2020
  • 9
    • Art / Design
    • Interviews
    Interview with Elisabeth van Aalderen, the photographer behind Vitiligo photo project
    • 16 December 2019
  • 10
    • Art / Design
    Illustrators celebrating womanhood we love following on IG
    • 10 January 2020
Reflection. 🌴
The world need more love. BLM! 🖤 Regram from @inesabouchard .
Don't miss reading our interview with the founders of the amazing @bukvybag brand. This female-led accessories brand is based in Stockholm and focused on creating practical pieces for everyday life. 😍 Link in bio. #bukvy #bukvybag #interview #femalefounders
Daydreaming of places as this one... 💙 Follow the super talented @salvalopez for more amazing images like this... #photography #pink #daydreaming
Gorgeous images by @nina_zimolong. 💟 In case you missed our interview with the talented photographer go to our site to read it. #photography #interview #love #stunning
Lazy Sunday mani inspo from @vanessahong. Nothing like some cute polka dots for mood boosting, right? 😍 #cute #manicure #loveit #polkadots
The Smoke Detector
  • About
  • Art / Design
  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Interviews
  • Columns
  • Coding
The Smoke Detector covers photography, fashion, art, design, cool people and places

Input your search keywords and press Enter.