No Makeup. Whatsoever

Okay, by now most of you know of my involvement in QUITE magazine, so there should be no big surprise when I tell you how excited I am about the summer issue that we're currently putting together. (If you missed our introductory Spring Issue, you can still order it here).

For the Summer Issue, we're working on a slightly different project, headed up by Jessica, our fashion editor. The #QUITEbeautiful project is about encouraging women that they don't have to hide behind makeup or airbrushing. QUITE Magazine wants use photographs of women who aren't plastered with makeup and who aren't edited till they are nearly unrecognizable in real life. Because what matters infinitely more is that you live the way God created you to live--not that your skin isn't marred by a single freckle or acne scar.

Since I started attending beauty school, I've become much more aware of how women can be so attached to their makeup...or their hair extensions...or their acrylic nails...that they are afraid to let anyone see them without all of their additions. And I think that's a little sad. Make up can be fun, for sure. I'm the first person to swipe on some fuchsia lipstick because, guess what, I love fuchsia!

But makeup shouldn't be a form of slavery. Since starting beauty school, I've intentionally won less makeup than I have in years, because I want to be the one person who shows by their actions that, in spite of all the peer pressure otherwise, it's perfectly fine to not 'put your face on' everyday. There's nothing shameful in going out with a naked face. (Naked body...that's another story.)

Last week, Lizzy took my pictures for participating in the #QUITEbeautiful campaign. And honestly, it was a little scary. I don't wear makeup on a daily basis, but I'm typically more likely to wear it when I know I'm going to get my pictures taken. Wearing eyeliner to help my eyes not disappear in photographs is an old trick I learned from high school theater club. And a little powder to keep the camera flash from reflecting off my forehead often seems appropriate.

But this time there was no eyeliner, no powder. No convenient filter added by Picasa to make the colors a little prettier.

 Just me.

Of course, there was some editing involved when it came to choosing a photo where I was actually looking at the camera and the wind wasn't blowing my hair in my face. And then there was this photo, which records my response to Lizzy's direction, "Smile more naturally."

 Angel and I share the characteristic of having large mouths.

So, here's where you come in. If you're not too terrified by the idea of makeup-less pictures, you can join in the #QUITEbeautiful project. Share your makeup-less and filter-free photo on Instagram with the #QUITEbeautiful hashtag, or email your photo to info@quitemagazine.com, and your picture could appear in our Summer issue!