Images and social media posts that promote the idea that perfection, which is unachievable, must be attained are continuously bombarding us. I’ve been transparent about my own difficulties with mental health and how I’ve felt “less than.”
The pressure of growing up in the spotlight is great. Imagine going through those formative years with the world scrutinizing every part of your life and decisions, which is difficult enough for anyone. I don’t regret how I was raised; on occasion, I believe it gave me a stronger skin. To say that I feel tremendously fortunate to have an opportunity where I know I can make a difference is an understatement.
But that doesn’t mean that I haven’t faced challenges. I made the decision to be honest about what I was going through, and as a result, I have heard from a lot of people throughout the years who have their own mental health issues. It’s a subject that has grown to be quite important to me. I strive to use my voice to inspire individuals to embrace their individuality and to lessen the stigma attached to discussing mental health.
In our society, women are subjected to a lot of unjustified expectations as well as pressure to behave and appear a specific way. Social media has undoubtedly shaped our perception of what is “perfect,” and we frequently look to these platforms for reassurance and solace. But ultimately, this also makes us all feel a little bit more alone.
I want to reassure anyone who is going through a difficult moment or battling with mental health concerns that you are not alone.
In fact, I strongly support social media detoxes. Even though I’m still connected and enjoy keeping up, I need to take breaks from scrolling. I make an effort to keep in mind that most people just share their finest images and highlight reels, so I shouldn’t feel guilty about not having the same appearance.
I also really support therapy. It assisted me in overcoming several challenges and provided many answers to my questions about why I was feeling the way I was. It was difficult for me at first to be honest about my struggles with anxiety and sadness. I experienced the same pressure to be flawless that so many others do.
But it was such a relief once I decided to get assistance and be honest about how I was feeling. I believe it was more advantageous for the individuals who looked up to me for me to acknowledge that I am a human being and that I am not flawless – nobody is.
Future aesthetics
I’ve had the good fortune to collaborate with some of the top makeup artists on the planet. I enjoy playing around with different appearances and the way that makeup can completely alter a character. I made the decision to start a company that would alter the way people talk about beauty two years ago. I believed that the industry needed to address this and that it wasn’t being talked enough.
I used to believe that I needed to apply cosmetics in order to feel pretty, but now I realize that this is not true. I now see makeup as a fashion accessory and a source of excitement. Wear as much makeup as you want; this is a secure and friendly atmosphere, so everyone should feel at ease. That’s truly what I want Rare Beauty to represent.
There is so much pressure on women to appear a specific way, and they frequently use makeup to cover or conceal perceived flaws. However, we encourage women and men to challenge the “norm” of beauty by having a different dialogue and recognizing our own differences.
My team and I have been creating a community to engage constructive talks about self-acceptance and mental health ever since Rare Beauty launched. This has included exclusive Zoom conversations, which we refer to as “Rare Chats,” during pandemic restrictions, as well as showcasing members of our community on social media, where we inspire people to express their unique beauty (we have 48 foundation and concealer hues to suit all skin tones). I have personally witnessed how many of our fans have developed deep bonds with one another throughout this chaotic year.
My desire to have a purpose for the business and my knowledge that mental health will play a significant role in our messaging were both crucial to me. With the Rare Impact Fund, we hope to combat the issue of chronic loneliness, lessen the stigma attached to mental health, and assist in providing people with access to the tools and services they require to support their mental health. On my 28th birthday, we announced the launch of the fund, with the aim of generating $100 million over the following ten years to help people in communities with limited resources have access to mental health treatments.
One percent of each year’s sales of Rare Beauty will go straight to the Rare Impact Fund as part of our commitment to fund raising alongside other partners and our local community. To ensure we are having the most impact, we have established the Rare Impact Mental Health Council with the aid of the Fund. This council is composed of knowledgeable experts from top institutions, organizations, and businesses.
I want everyone to see their uniqueness as a source of strength. Particularly at this time, each of us needs to accept our individuality, cease comparing ourselves to other people, and show ourselves greater love.