Selfies show up on my newsfeed on a day to day basis, as i'm sure they do on everyone elses. Within the last 24 hours I have seen a profound increase in them as a way to raise awareness for a wonderful cause. However, in the last 24 hours I have also witnessed the majority of my newsfeed being against this attempt.
Back in October 2013 beauty company Escentual launched the 'Dare to Bare' campaign. Escentual dared woman all over the country to get sponsored for going to work, nights out, etc without their make up on. This was a brilliant idea that I guarantee not many women did, or even knew about, because it goes against the social norms of society. It seems that this has taken hold in a social media event a few months on and there are not many people that are happy about it.
Thousands of women have got on board with #nomakeupselfies to simply help raise awareness for Breast Cancer Research UK;
"The fact that you're posting a 'no makeup selfie' is a BIG thing, it says a lot about you."
It says nothing unless the individual has made a big deal about it. 99% of the time, like a lot of women I know, I couldn't give two monkeys about wearing my make up...but I do. What myself, and the rest of the women in the world, choose to do with their face is our choice not yours.
"Would anyone whose making donations tonight instead of taking the photo done so if this hadn't started? I don't think they would, so really it's done exactly what it set out to as a campaign. The worst part is seeing all the negative comments from guys, no wonder women feel such pressure to look good all the time!"
People all over the world do their bit on a day to day basis to raise awareness for charity. The whole point of campaigns such as comic relief is to get people to donate money they probably wouldn't have. If that TV show wasn't screened once a year then chances are they wouldn't raise anywhere near as much money. How is it possible for anyone to think that posting a makeup-less selfie is a bad way to raise awareness? Do what you can!
"How is this no makeup selfie thing even helping anyone?"
The same as the worldwide campaign that is Movember. Each and every November thousands upon thousands of men take to not shaving their moustaches for an entire month in an attempt to raise awareness for testicular cancer, as before this started barely anyone knew anything about it. I know that Breast Cancer Research UK is one of the more well known charities but a lot of the time it isn't talked about, and I can gurantee that not many women actually conduct checks on a regular basis, I don't.
"Breast cancer selfies are a smashing idea. I had no idea how to check for lumps and bumps and after everyone was posting I researched it. If this saves one life surely its worth a few pictures of our lovely little mugs on your Facebook."
I think this encompasses perfectly what this is all about. Whether or not you donate money, it may prompt a lot of women to start checking more regularly for any signs. And if you have donated, wonderful. What you do for the world should be a completely selfless act, not something to parade around Facebook.
It is a painful world to live in when NeckNominations seem to have caused less controversy and negative comments than a few harmless selfies.
Not to mention the countless jokes made about women who are proud of their own skin without makeup. Is it any wonder millions of young girls believe they need it to be beautiful?
Despite it all, negative or positive, the social media world certainly is talking about this campaign. So, to whoever started this, I commend you. What a wonderful, inspiring, seemingly controversial way to get everybody talking about the issue.
To donate text BEAT to 70099 and donate £3 to cancer research which will come off your phone bill, or go to http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/ or, guess what?!, post a makeup-less selfie on Facebook to raise awareness.
