HOW ALICIA GOT INTO NATURAL BEAUTY

Here’s how breaking out led to a makeup-free breakthrough.

– KEYS SOULCARE

Back in 2016, Alicia was deep into her successful music career, but the multi-hyphenate creative still managed to drop something as buzzworthy as one of her hit albums — a #NoMakeup declaration. As Alicia appeared on some of the most scrutinized red carpets, barefaced and radiant, it caused both a stir and a revolution. In Lenny Letter, Alicia wrote an ode to uncovering, revealing some of the most vulnerable parts of her beauty and skincare journey. From stress-induced breakouts, critiques of her femininity, and the pressure to conform to airbrushed perfection, Alicia vowed to let it go, all in the name of soulcare. Below, we’re sharing her entire journey to putting her best face forward.

Why did Alicia stop wearing makeup?

In a chat with Glamour UK, Alicia shared that makeup had become an addiction that began to impede on her self-esteem. “I didn’t feel comfortable without it,” she said, reminiscing on her years of covering up “imperfections” as she experienced increased pressure from the entertainment industry. “As I got into the music world, [makeup] was what you did every day to do your television, or to do your shoot. So, I did it because I thought that’s what you’re supposed to do.”

So… does Alicia wear makeup now?

The short answer? Yes. The soul answer? Alicia no longer lets “beauty standards” dictate what she does and she now embraces every facet of her being. “My relationship with beauty now is I get to choose however I want to experience and express,” Alicia shared in an interview with Byrdie. “It’s not an imposition; it’s something that I get to create for myself.”

In order to hone in on the importance of owning your you-ness above all else, Alicia created Keys Soulcare as a new approach to beauty from the inside out. She told Byrdie, “My skin was a reflection of how I was feeling… I know for a fact that’s what inspired the Keys Soulcare offerings… We have this idea of taking time for yourself and turning routine into ritual. Because you need that time for yourself, you need that space to love on yourself and to also realize what you want and what you don’t want for yourself.”

How can #NoMakeup moments be beneficial?

First and foremost, follow Alicia’s wise words — experience and express beauty however you wish! Nothing is more beautiful than living your authentic truth.

Makeup is a fun way to play and emote through your physical appearance — not to mention it is a tool for self-expression that everyone can enjoy. But if you are curious about a no-makeup lifestyle — or you want to learn how to take makeup breaks to build your confidence going bare-faced — remember to start small and make changes at your own pace. Here are three ways to go makeup-free that you can try today:

1. Bare it all at home

If you’re not quite ready to go out au naturale, practice going makeup-free during days at or close to home. Keep yourself makeup-free or barely-there — (Think: concealer or tinted lip balm.) And, don’t forget to flaunt it! Look in the mirror, walk around your neighborhood, or send makeup-free selfies to trusted pals,

2. Take it one step at a time

Venturing out with a full face of glam? Drop one step in your routine at a time. Rather than a full-coverage foundation, try a buildable shade. You can even opt for a more natural brow than a more precisely shaped look. You don’t have “tone down,” but you can try switching things up in your routine to get more comfortable with looking and feeling like your true self.

3. Work from the inside out

Soulcare will always be number-one in our book. Taking care of yourself, learning more about what you love and don’t love, and claiming the agency to be yourself will not only support your makeup-free journey, but will also guide you back to you. In a world that can often tell us that we’re not enough, here’s your reminder that you are more than enough, makeup or no makeup. And that is your superpower.

Have you gone makeup-free? What has your journey with makeup taught you about self-acceptance? Share your experiences in the comments!