So far in 2018, we have seen the start of a movement towards natural beauty; meaning women are starting to promote and accept their natural figures and features. Although some influential women have started this natural beauty movement in the past couple years, such as Alicia Keys’s no makeup vow, many more influential women on Instagram and in Hollywood are joining the crusade.
A leading influential figure for this self accepting movement is model Ashley Graham. Most of Graham’s fame began when she landed the cover for a Sports Illustrated Magazine cover. Graham currently is a mentor/judge on the VH1 show America’s Next Top Model, in which she supports aspiring models to embrace their natural qualities and work on boosting their confidence.
Ashley Graham and Tyra Banks at the judging table on ANTM
https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/television/2018/03/12/the-queen-mother-america-next-top-model/F5LWxiT2oAcQv6WMZH6RNK/story.html
Recently, Paper Magazine launched an issue highlighting Christina Aguilera’s natural transformation. Her photos depict a natural skinned, messy haired Aguilera. In her interview with Paper, Aguilera says, “it's a liberating feeling to be able to strip it all back and appreciate who you are and your raw beauty.”
Photos below from Paper Magazine
http://www.papermag.com/christina-aguilera-transformation-2553214651.html
Instagram is playing a major role in this natural beauty movement as models, influencers, and celebrities post and promote self-love and self-acceptance. One major influencer, Chinae Alexander (@chinaealexander), has been using her Instagram account to share her story about being body positive and accepting herself. In addition, Millie Bobby Brown frequently posts Instagram stories about self-love and embracing natural beauty, which leaves an impression on many of the young girls who idolize and follow her.
Chinae Alexander's Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/chinaealexander/
Those are just a few of the powerful voices pushing for self-love and self-acceptance. If more and more models, influencers, and celebrities join this trend of embracing natural beauty, then this movement could become part of our society’s culture. Someday women may live in a world in which all natural qualities are embraced and every woman is beautiful in her own way.