Jumping On The No Makeup Selfie Bandwagon

If you’ve opened Facebook in the last week, chances are you would’ve been greeted by at least a handful of your female (and maybe a few of your pro-active male) friends displaying their make-up free faces in support of Breast Cancer Awareness. The concept behind the No Makeup Selfie is that it is meant to challenge women to display their natural beauty in a campaign to raise awareness of breast cancer. But in true social media style, the campaign was not actually started by any authorised Cancer Awareness Council,�with Cancer Research UK admitting the trend started with one of their employees posting a selfie on their personal profile�but reinforcing that it was not actually�initiated by them.

The trend actually started with an innocent hashtag on Twitter and grew from there. Cancer Research UK identified it as a massive talking point and an excellent opportunity to raise awareness and encouraged their staff members to jump on board and post a no make-up selfie in support.

We’re loving your #cancerawareness #nomakeupselfie pics! The campaign isn’t ours but every � helps #beatcancersooner pic.twitter.com/nNb0RSEitr

“� Cancer Research UK (@CR_UK) March 19, 2014

The trend has since been turned on it’s head, with men donning full face makeup and even no make-up pet selfie’s flooding profiles, walls, feeds and timelines in support of breast cancer awareness.

So what happens with every overnight trend? The negative Nazi’s appear.�Even though Cancer Research UK has reportedly had an astounding 800,000 donations in the past 4 days totalling more than 1 million pounds, there has been mass criticism of the campaign. It seems many of those who join the ranks of the barefaced missed the point entirely – to donate and link back to the charities website.

“Surely that’s not helping anyone suffering from cancer and just a narcissistic way to show off how good you look without make-up?”

But who are these sources, criticising an action that hurts no-one and affects everyone? Post a pic, donate to the cause, wear a ribbon, host a charity event – however someone chooses to show your support should be celebrated. Some cant afford to donate or support financially, this is a great way to feel like you might be doing your little bit.

It’s so easy for some to criticise those who don’t donate or link to a website, but for a campaign that was started by the masses and has no real accountability to an organisation or charity, what’s the harm in jumping on the bandwagon for a little fun and showing your support for a cause that touches so many families in Australia and the world over?

Clare Whitfield Chief Editor

Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney, she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work.

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