Au Natural

Hey guys, I know it's been a while but I have been working at a residential summer camp for the last 7 weeks and as you can imagine, its pretty hectic. I wasn't going to start regularly posting until after the summer but I got some inspiration to do some writing today on my day off. It's fitting that I chose to do this today as I just chopped a foot off my hair. Generally, I don't wear makeup, I don't get my nails done, and I don't do much to my hair. I let it air dry with no straightening or curling. Makeup is only for special occasions and nails I get done maybe twice a year. I've come to think I'm like this because of my parents. My mom wears very little makeup, doesn't dye her hair but blow dries it because its short, and paints her own nails. Part of my habits also are due to a lack of finances, I'd love to get my nails done but frankly, I can't afford to do that regularly. At the same time, I don't make it a priority. I like to spend my money on going out to a nice dinner, traveling, or even to go shopping. However, when it comes to changes my appearances, I just don't see the point. I love the fact that I feel comfortable leaving the house bare faced or with natural hair. I also wish society didn't look down upon it. There have been times in my professional life that I feel required to throw on some mascara, concealer, or fill in my eyebrows for an interview or a big day at work. Why is that? Why is it more professional for my eyelashes to be black or my zit not to show. Men get zits, men have lighter eyelashes, I don't get it. Why do the genetic circles under my eyes make me look "tired". Don't get me wrong, I think makeup can look very nice, and I love doing my makeup on a given day and being creative with my eyeshadow or my contour, but why do I feel required to wear it? I'd love to get to a point in society where people appreciate those who go au natural even in a work environment...

Bringing this full circle to my time at summer camp, obviously we are outdoors all day in the sun, sweating, and working with kids, so everyone embraces their natural look, and I absolutely love it. At the end of the day, everyone showers, puts on jeans and a shirt, and suddenly everyone is complimenting each other saying we look so nice. Why, because we showered? That's where society should get. To the point where anything better than having your hair in a bun, with sweat dripping down your face, and a tshirt and athletic shorts is worthy of being called beautiful. Because it is, everyones natural form should be noticed and appreciated. The sun kissed skin, freckle face, and fly away hair are all things to love, not things we should feel the need to hide in public or at work or on a first date. The best part, when you put on that stunning red dress, curl that hair, and put your beauty guru skills to the test, you'll be that much more shocking to the rest of the world. And it'll save you some money to preserve all of that for special occasions.

Thanks for listening, I hope I made a little part of your day happier.

Remember, you are beautiful,

Gabriella