"Women are brainwashed into feeling like we have to be skinny, or sexy, or desirable, or perfect. One of the many things I was tired of was the constant judgment of women. The constant stereotyping through every medium that makes us feel like being a normal size is not normal, and heaven forbid if you're plus size. Or the constant message that being sexy means being naked." - Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys recently showed up to The Today and The VMA’s with no makeup. This sparked a social media buzz, which led to support as well as criticism. Why did this one little decision spark so much media buzz? Women are expected to wear makeup, especially celebrities at major events. We’re supposed to be put together, and this involves makeup. Makeup helps us look less tired and “look good in photos”, but is this really why women wear makeup?

I think that in today’s society it is so forced upon women and girls that they don’t look good without makeup. If you show up somewhere our immediate reaction is to say “sorry I’m not wearing makeup,” or “please don’t look at me.” We have been so trained that it is almost mandatory to wear makeup. I have many friends who don’t like wearing makeup and I have only seen them wear it a handful of times, but I do like wearing makeup and wear it almost everyday. The problem then comes for the days I just don’t feel like wearing makeup or I am too tired to put any on. I immediately feel uncomfortable because I know people will notice or even comment about how I don’t have any on. We should be able to decide when or if we want to wear makeup not just in our everyday lives of work and school, but also to big social events.

So this is why I stand with Alicia Keys’ no makeup decision, because women should have the right to choose if they want to wear makeup or not. We should not be criticized for making a decision that we feel comfortable with, and we also need to teach the generations after us that you don’t need makeup to be pretty. Confidence in who you are and your decisions is what makes you beautiful.