Wonderful Women Of The World
Posted by Michelle Moquin on July 12th, 2014
Good morning!
Ladies: What does your “natural look” entail? On the days I don’t see clients or I am not going out socially, I am make-up free and slathered in my favorite moisturizer: coconut oil. When I am seeing clients, or out for a night on the town, I like to add lipstick and play up my eyes…wearing as little make-up as possible to get my desired “look.” The latter being an approach that isn’t the standard amongst most stylists, who usually love all the latest trends in cosmetics.
I know I am not the standard. That’s fine for me. My approach works for me and serves my clients: I seem to attract women who also want to wear very little make-up to get that “natural look,” and appreciate products that are not damaging to the skin and organic. The “natural look” is big in my styling world. It’s trending in the fashion and beauty world too. The difference is, I encourage my clients to wear just a few products to bring out their best features. In the beauty world, getting that “natural look” takes 18 different products layered on your face. Really. I read a write the other day and to get that “fresh, natural look” it literally took 18 different products! No thanks.
Late last night after I got home from a fabulously fun GNO, I came across this write. It seems this singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat decided to show the skin she was born in and showcase her ”natural look.”
Here’s the write from Elle.com
Colbie Caillat Is Tired of Being Photoshopped: Here’s What She Did About It
Grammy Award-winning, singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat returns with a brand new EP, Gypsy Heart and a powerful new music video in which she makes a powerful statement about unfair beauty ideals by shunning hair and make-up. Here, we talk to Caillat about the man (yup!) who inspired the song, the impact of Photoshop, and why all women hate the way they look in photographs:
How did the idea for your brand new single and video, “Try,” come about?
I went into the recording studio with Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and I told him that I was getting a lot of pressure to be someone I’m not, both musically and image-wise. Although I don’t want to do it, I’m just going to make these people happy. He started laughing, and said, we’re not going to do that. That’s not you, and that’s ridiculous of them to ask. That right there gave me the creative freedom. He said, “Let’s write about exactly what they’re asking you to do—to change yourself.” We started checking off all these things that all of us girls do everyday to get ready to go out. I told him that before coming to the studio I wanted to look pretty so I had my nails done, I made sure I had the best outfit on, I had my hair and makeup artist come over and make me look all polished. And the thing is that I like myself when I’m not that way, but I feel like other people might not like me that way. And I know that most women go through that. When you have blemishes on your skin, gain weight, or my friend has crooked teeth, or my mom’s roots are going gray. And everyone is trying to hide their faults from each other when we all have it. So Babyface inspired me to write this and it’s all from a personal experience.
Photo: Courtesy of Republic Records
It’s funny because one would think that these messages are coming from a man to make a woman look a certain way. But here’s a man encouraging you to write about it.
I know, and a very powerful man at that. It’s so true that you can go so far down the rabbit hole of altering yourself to where you’re not happy anymore. And Kenny gave me that freedom and it’s really helped me with the direction of this album. I don’t have Photoshop on my album cover. At the video shoots, I’m doing less hair and makeup. For the “Try” video I didn’t prep or starve myself and over-exercise. And then I didn’t get my nails done, I didn’t get my hair done. I didn’t get a facial. I didn’t have a stylist.
Related: “I Woke Up Like This” Is the Biggest Myth of All
It really does take a lot.
I still love getting all dolled up. And then most of my days I love walking around with no makeup, my hair dried straight from the shower, in workout clothes or pajamas.
What is the hardest part about being a female in today’s society?
Trying to live up to other people’s expectations. When we do get dolled up, we get more compliments. It’s just what happens. When you have a cute outfit on and your makeup looks amazing, the first thing people comment on is your image. When you don’t wear makeup, you hear things like, “Oh wow, you look tired or you’re so brave for not wearing makeup!”
Photo: Courtesy of Republic Records
It’s very easy to get caught up in what’s considered the norm. But I think it all begins with our parents. Was there a lesson that you learned as a kid that you still use today?
My parents are total hippies. My mom never wears makeup and she hates getting her hair done—exactly like the song. She doesn’t think you have to try for anyone. She thinks you should be yourself. My grandma, too—they’re so natural, and everything they put into their body is clean and they just live a clean life. And growing up with a mom who never pressured me into looking a certain way was really great because it embedded that it’s okay walking around with no makeup on most of my days. It’s more for the public appearances as an artist that I feel like I have to be polished, and now I’m excited to stop that and just kind of go as I naturally am more often.
Related: Sutton Foster on Going Makeup Free on Broadway
Do you feel responsible as an artist? Do think about the message the music videos, album covers, and magazine spreads send to fans?
There’s major responsibility. When I see gorgeous models and singers and they look perfect on their album covers, it makes me want to look like that, too, and it makes me feel like if I don’t Photoshop my skin on my album cover, I’m the one who’s going to look a little off and everyone else is going to look perfect. And that’s what everyone is used to seeing. They’re used to seeing people on the album covers completely Photoshopped. On one of my album covers, my arm was shaved down and it made me look very skinny. I think that gives a false reality. When I did the lyric video for “Try,” and I asked some of my celebrity friends if they would send a picture of themselves, you have no idea how difficult it was. Some of them said no, some of them said they’ll send me a picture in a couple of days because they have a pimple on their chin, and they didn’t want it showing in the picture. And I was like, no, no, no! That’s good! Let’s let all of our fans know that we get them too, because otherwise they’re just think that they’re the only ones who get acne. We all get it, so let’s just kind of laugh about it together. And then some of the girls still wore makeup in the pictures because they felt like they needed to at least look–I don’t know, in their eyes, decent or something when they still look beautiful. It was so hard for them to show any degree of realness.
Photo: Courtesy of Republic Records
I think that once a person gets used to something, it’s hard to change your habits. In the video you took your hair tracks out, you took all the makeup off–did you feel naked? And how did the other women in the music video feel?
We shot the video in reverse, we started bare, and by the end we finished with the full hair and makeup, and then reversed the film for the finished product. All of the women were amazing. My favorite was the woman who has no hair. I first saw her completely bald, no makeup, with a huge smile, she was just so happy and confident. She was so beautiful to me. And then we kept getting more hair and makeup on, and the next scene I saw where she’s in full make-up and wig, I was like, Who is this woman? She was not the same person. She still looked beautiful but it wasn’t the same beauty that I saw when she was liberated, showing who she really was. When I shot the first scene with no hair and makeup on in front of an HD camera in my face, flashed with bright lights, everyone was watching. I thought, “Oh my god, I bet they’re all looking at my blemishes, thinking that I should cover them up, or that I should put some volume in my hair.” But it also felt really cool to be on camera with zero on, like literally nothing on. And then when it got to the full hair and makeup, I actually felt gross. I was just so caked on.
Readers: I love what Caillat did. I think she and the other women are rockin’ their “natural look.” Agree? PS: Love the song too.
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July 12th, 2014 at 12:09 pm
I love looking at pretty women. They make this old man feel alive.
July 12th, 2014 at 12:10 pm
A strong earthquake hit Japan’s northern coast Saturday near the nuclear power plant crippled in the 2011 tsunami. At least one person was injured and a small tsunami was triggered, but no damage was reported.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency said the magnitude-6.8 quake struck 10 kilometers (6 miles) below the sea surface off the coast of Fukushima. The 4:22 a.m. (1922 GMT Friday) quake shook buildings in Tokyo, about 250 kilometers (120 miles) southwest of the epicenter.
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So Howie, What do we need to do to stop the aliens from sinking our island.
July 12th, 2014 at 12:17 pm
“Hey, lets start a magazine with ridiculously photoshopped pictures and make women everywhere feel shitty about themselves! Then, interview a celebrity about how she doesn’t like being photoshopped.
July 12th, 2014 at 12:35 pm
Howie, I was on a United Airlines flight from Honolulu to Guam. As I glanced out my window I swear I saw a space ship pull up along side of the Boeing 777.
It disappeared under us and then I heard a big boom. The next thing I hear is the pilot telling us we were being diverted to Midway. We spent about 7 hours there in a gym. Then a United Airlines plane came to get us. We were taken back to Honolulu.
There were rumors that we couldn’t continue towards Guam because aliens had taken over the surrounding air space above Guam. I was told that there was a mention of something happening on Guam on this blog a day or so ago.
So can’t the aliens observe weather patterns on Guam without preventing passenger planes from approaching?
July 12th, 2014 at 2:10 pm
I am here Helen46. I did not have expectations of anything going anyway. I posted because I did and do feel that American media is manipulated in what is reported. I believe I did state I did not have a “side” in the politics of the region.
I am still glad I posted it. I am very appreciative of reading everyone’s comments on the subject. I learned some things. I hope other people did too.
World Citizen
July 12th, 2014 at 5:42 pm
I did world citizen, thanks got the roll…
I agree should’ve been a black woman in the art and as the performance artist
I was just looking for a pic with no make up to put up on Facebook I do that every other picture bc I don’t want anyone getting too attached to the look bc I prefer natural make up or none, it’s nice when celeb come out and say I don’t look like that and don’t even want to…
Have a nice weekend, luv, Zen Lill
July 12th, 2014 at 6:24 pm
World Citizen#5 Thank you for your post. I learned a lot about the issues between the Palestinians and the Jews. As an american republican this was very educational.
I see that I was not getting the ground level view from our american media as you demonstrated.
July 12th, 2014 at 6:29 pm
Zen Lill you look natural when your photos get posted here. I always suspected that you were a mother earth girl.
July 12th, 2014 at 6:44 pm
I live in Gaza and my family has been forced twice to be suicide boomers. Both were women.
My eldest sister (20) lost control of the security device. She accidentally detonated an IED she was carrying. The blast killed only arabs since She was still in training so her intake only cost alien views.
July 12th, 2014 at 6:52 pm
I wear a disguise to prevent others for discovering I am a man. I get the picture though.
July 13th, 2014 at 8:54 am
Vance #4, My cousin was aboard that United Flight #201. She said that after the big boom they smelled smoke. But she said that United knew the plane was defective before they took off because it was delayed in Honolulu for several hours because of a burning smell on the plane.
She said that she notice the flight attendants congregating as if they had something that was bothering them. She said that about half way to Guam (4 or 5 hours) she said the burning smell got stronger and they were told they were headed to Midway.
She also said that her friend that the passenger that was sitting next to the window told her that he saw something just above the wing duck under it. That happened just before the big boom. In her opinion if it was an alien space ship it was trying to save the plane because the plane was in trouble before it took off.
I told her about this blog and asked her to come on and tell her story. But she said that she was afraid because whatever was happening it got stranger as they were about to land. Most of the people on board were praying or weeping. They were all very afraid.
The guy sitting next to the window told her he was a pilot and a plane this size should be able to make it to Midway if all the trouble was just a few wires on fire. He said that he was more worried about the strange lights he saw outside the plane.
When they landed everyone was forced to hurry and get into what looked like an old gym. She said that some of the passengers were saying that they also saw something strange when they were exiting the plane.
July 13th, 2014 at 9:04 am
Jose #1: Ditto, I think most men will say they like women to look natural, without too much make-up on. Trouble is, if done right, a lot looks like barely none at all.
Hi Zen Lill, it is me Al fresco, I missed you too. And Linda Sweetie, I am back…..But please, no one has any dibs on me, not even you :).
Is it old news that Sarah Palin is asking for president Obama’s Resignation? It seems like I am always the last to know.
AK: My heart goes out to you and your family. War is always such ugly business, and it certainly has taken it’s toll on you and yours.
July 13th, 2014 at 9:10 am
Jeffery#3, that’s the way they work, first they create the problem, then they find a solution that we have to buy.
July 13th, 2014 at 9:12 am
My grandmother called make-up war paint!! LOL She was in her 70′s and said when you can walk out of your house with your hair in a ponytail a old pair of cut off jeans an old t shirt no war paint and a big smile on your face you will find a man worth keeping!!
If he does not see your beauty when you wake up with tangled hair sleep in your eyes and bad breath he does not deserve you!! Grandmothers are usually right!!!!
July 13th, 2014 at 9:13 am
That was a beautiful video. I cried
July 13th, 2014 at 9:14 am
I never put makeup on, so whats the big deal. Love your curves, dimples, tiger stripes, hair, skin and your reflection, all in all, love yourself for every little thing and stop hating every little thing about yourselves. Colbie Caillat, you rock!!!!!!
July 13th, 2014 at 9:14 am
Im sorry to say that im the first one to get caught up in the looks thing and im sorry for that ! That is my shortcoming, you girls need to look and be yourself and love yourself for the way you are and if someone like me sometimes is to stupid to love you for the way you are turn you back and walk away “Love You ” first.
July 13th, 2014 at 9:15 am
Erin#15, same here.
July 13th, 2014 at 9:16 am
Kelly#14, I wish more women would believe this. Your grandmother sounds very smart.
July 13th, 2014 at 9:17 am
Kelly#14, My Bigmom would have been horrified, LOL. She wouldn’t set foot out of the house without her face on. At 80 she was still putting on stockings and a dress to go to the doctor. She taught me what being a lady means, and unlearning that is hard.
July 13th, 2014 at 9:18 am
Kelly#14, I like it all, but still, try to avoid the bad breath..
July 13th, 2014 at 9:19 am
Nikki#13,Precicely. Own the bullets and the bandages, then start a war.
July 13th, 2014 at 9:22 am
I think that all the women in this video was absolutely gorgeous with out their hair and makeup done. I have to admit, I try to put my best face forward when going out, not often though.
July 13th, 2014 at 9:27 am
Jeffery#13, “Let’s only watch the first 10 seconds of a video and not read the article and make ridiculous assumptions!”
July 13th, 2014 at 9:48 am
Kelly#14, Lol, this is me, if once in a blue moon I put war paint on my husband is like woah, whats the occasion, thankfully I found a keeper :)
July 13th, 2014 at 9:48 am
Your grandmother was wise indeed!
July 13th, 2014 at 9:49 am
Kelly#14, My dad used to say, “War paint makes a woman look what she ain’t.” It keeps going through my mind when I see ladies all dolled up to go to work.
I’m a makeup free kind of girl. Totally bare skin other than sun screen and moisturizer.
July 13th, 2014 at 9:51 am
Jenx#20, out of curiosity, what exactly did she teach you that “being a lady” meant? wearing make up and dresses on every outing? i always equated being a lady with…..well, being an adult female in general, but also having nice manners; nothing really having much to do with looks, but more on how one acted.
July 13th, 2014 at 9:52 am
Kelly#20, Your grandma was right. All our elderly are right. People tend to look down on them…they’ve all been there, done that. Listen to them, people…:)
July 13th, 2014 at 9:53 am
My Daddy calls it war paint too LOL.
July 13th, 2014 at 9:54 am
I’m single, so if I went out of the house with zero make up on, and old shirt, and cut off jeans and my hair tied back NO man would notice me, to approach me, let alone finding a man worth keeping!
Some of us are not blessed with average hair, lips, cheekbones, eyebrows and lashes to leave them untouched. Some of us actually need a little help with make up so we at least look like we have eye lashes etc.
There are ways to apply make up so that you don’t look like you’ve got “war paint” on.
July 13th, 2014 at 9:54 am
Not sure about the bad breath part but I like to find the beauty in my women without them trying to hard.
July 13th, 2014 at 9:56 am
Kristen#24, I didn’t feel like I had to, but since you pointed it out, I did.
Doesnt change anything.
July 13th, 2014 at 9:58 am
Kelly#14, Your grandma sounds wonderful. :) I rarely wear make up & when I do, it’s pretty little. My husband tells me I’m most beautiful when I first wake up in the morning so I guess he’s a keeper!!!
July 13th, 2014 at 9:59 am
Kelly S.#31:
Oh for sure, Kelly. I totally understand where you’re coming from. I have a friend who’s eyelashes are so light you’d never know she had any! Applying makeup strategically and well does a lot to bring out her features.
She definitely doesn’t cake it on. But the trick is to be subtle. My oldest step-daughter only wears mascara because her eyelashes are so blonde.
July 13th, 2014 at 10:03 am
I was thinking something along the same lines Jeffery#3, well put.
Kristen#24 – Not sure how Jeffery#3 did what you’re saying. I’m sure a lot of people were thinking something similar. I was and I read the whole article.
Elle is as much part of the problem (as are all fashion mags) of promoting unrealistic images of women that Colbie Caillat is speaking about. I makes me shake my head a little every time one of these types of magazines does an article like this…so hypocritical….