I’m writing this piece knowing I may offend some of my naturally-pretty fellow fashion bloggers. Personally, I’m not really into changing my looks that drastically. Yes, I move around some wrinkles, tune some pockets of fat and erase brown spots, but when you see a pic of me you are basically seeing me. If we’re not having a good day why are we so hell-bent on rearranging our faces and body tuning ourselves? I’m thinking blue eyes would be great with my blonde hair rather than those drab hazel eyes. They can be quickly swapped out. Question becomes are we becoming out-of-body experiences?
Bloggers and devoted readers, I have a proposition to make. The world is full of self-tuning apps like Face Tuner. Thanks to modern technology, we can make ourselves leggier, blonder, utterly devoid of wrinkles and zits. We can appear softer, eternally well-lit, and with blindingly white teeth. But why?
Beauty exists in imperfection. No one can resist the eternal drumming of Father Time and the processes he creates. Sure, we can take care of our bodies and address aging with creams and serums, Botox, and fillers but we cannot stop it altogether. Why obscure your true beauty – your imperfections, your lumps and bumps, your laugh lines – with a selfie tuning app?
If fashion is the artistic embodiment of what makes you unique, then think of your body as its canvas. You don’t need to be perfectly smooth or well-lit or perfectly coiffed. A certain grace exists in aging without clinging to tools that make you appear younger. So my proposition is this, dear readers and fellow bloggers: embrace your uniqueness. Revel in the body that makes you, you – wrinkles and all. You won’t be admonished for your imperfection, but lauded for your distinctiveness. Let’s vow to be graceful and gracious for what we have together.
Here are the main questions. If we met up in person would we recognize each other? Why do fashion bloggers want orange-colored skin and legs that don’t quit? Do we alter our looks for the pose, the sponsors, or the followers and likes? Would we still be considered influencers if we didn’t alter our looks? If we looked in the mirror without changing our looks with an app would “WE” know who we are? I would hope so, but sadly that doesn’t always seem the case.
So two fashion bloggers passed each other on the street and just kept walking! BTW on Instagram, they’re best buds. Go figure!
What’s your take on this? Share your thoughts!
starr says
Amen gf! Plus nowadays I think it’s so easy to compare yourself to what you see on Instagram! Am I Instagram worthy?! etc.. I think we should all step back and appreciate who we are for what we are!! Not photoshopped!
Betsy says
Thanks for your comments. I was a little nervous to post this as I didn’t want to offend anyway then I said….just post it cuz it’s true!
Macca Rose says
Love your honesty Betsy! Thank you for sharing. I agree it’s important to keep it real!
Arielle Worona says
Such an intesting post, lady! I have wondered this myself and I know the subject is sometimes taboo. Really enjoyed your take on it all!
Victoria says
Love this post Betsy! I wish more women would be comfortable just being themselves! Flaws and all!
Xo~Victoria http://www.vpofstyle.com
Amy says
I agree with your philosophy. As a general rule of thumb, anything to extremes is not for the best!!!
Jennifer says
I don’t understand when most girls alter their pictures so much. I add my custom filter and maybe adjust the exposure. Sometimes, I use the stretch tool in Airbrush so my picture fits better in Instagram but that’s just doing the out edges! So crazy.
Jennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated
Ashh says
I love your honest opinions Betsy. It’s important to keep things real so regular audience can relate too.