07|09|2009
nude.
If you follow me on twitter, you know that I am doing Project 365, where I take one photograph a day for a full year. I started on July 1st, & have been enjoying the project so far. (If you’d like to see pictures from previous days, click here.)
On Tuesday, though, I nearly forgot to do my picture for the day. So I grabbed my camera after I’d just taken a shower & quickly snapped this picture. When I uploaded it onto my computer, I almost deleted it. I felt the picture was too… raw; too vulnerable. But for some reason, this picture really struck me. I just couldn’t delete; I didn’t want to. Perhaps it’s because it’s so honest.
I read something recently on The Demoiselles about taking pictures of yourself makeup-less (amongst other things). It was such an inspirational article; not just because the women who were brave enough to post themselves facially nude were absolutely gorgeous, but because I think it sends out a great message. By taking that plunge to show yourself sans makeup, you’re stating that you love yourself just the way you are. & I do; for the most part, at least.
Taking pictures of myself without makeup on isn’t anything new. I’ve done it before with several of my outfit posts (here & here, for example). But there’s something different about this particular picture. Maybe it’s because I am looking straight into the camera. Maybe it’s because my imperfections are so close up & obvious. Maybe it’s because there are no shadows on my face.
& while I could waste precious moments of my life picking apart my flaws — the blemishes, the peach fuzz above my lip, the fine lines underneath my eyes — I want to focus on what makes me happy about the way I look. I owe it to myself; after all, this is the only body I have. I may as well be nice to it.
So what is it I like about this picture? I like that my eyes are shining & you can see their true brown color. I like the color of my skin. I like the tiny little freckles on my cheeks. I like my nose-ring. I like the definition of my chin. I like my high cheekbones. & I like my full lips.
The more I look at this picture, the more I like it. Because that is who I am; that is the truest me there is.
_________________________________________
I want to encourage you to take a picture of yourself facially nude. You don’t necessarily have to post it online for all the world to see like The Demoiselles, Eyeliah, & I did. Take it for yourself. & don’t wince at what you see; celebrate & appreciate your unique beauty, sans makeup. If you need an extra push, this article should be of some inspiration for you.
on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 9:35 am:
What flaws? You look absolutely gorgeous. Seriously, your skin is glowing, it’s perfection. What a beautiful photo.
on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 9:38 am:
I am SO glad you didn’t delete this picture. You look absolutely breathtaking! I love it!
on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 9:44 am:
That’s one thing….you are beautiful, no matter what and I’m not just saying that because I’m your mom! You really are.
But, I’m not doing the nude pictures…I surely wouldn’t want to lose any of my followers! LOL
on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 9:45 am:
bravo! i love it, Evyan. I’ll do my own shot sometime soon. i’ll be doing mine soon for Project 365, weeee!
on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 9:54 am:
A very beautiful and natural picture!!
You have perfect skin… is it the LA weather, heathy lifestyle or products or All of the above?
What products do you use on ur face?
on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 9:58 am:
My first thought was “duh, when you’re so young and pretty, you can go nude.”
But I know what you mean about abandoning the camouflage and showing yourself to the world as you really are. It does make you feel exposed.
Great thoughts here, Ev’Yan.
Thank you for the link.
on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 9:59 am:
You’re absolutely gorgeous :) you have that true ‘natural beauty’, I dont think you should ever wear makeup, you don’t have to!
on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 10:02 am:
You are SO beautiful!
on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 10:15 am:
STUNNING.
Maybe it is because your quirky, adoreable and lovable personality peeks through in your writing and so everyone had already fallen in love with YOU so we are all bias. But, seriously, you are STUNNING, and yes in an all-caps sort of way.
on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 10:17 am:
Like the other commenters have said: You are absolutely gorgeous! I WISH I looked that good without makeup. I mean, I don’t think I’m unattractive or anything, but my skin is nowhere near as flawless/smooth/without blemish as yours. How do you do it?? :-P
on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 10:51 am:
My first thought was that you have GREAT skin! I LOVE this idea because I hate the way I look without makeup so I should do this. I might even get the guts to post it online :-)
on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 10:54 am:
You’re a lovely lady.
I actually don’t ever wear makeup, but sometimes, I think about it. Things like this remind me of why I don’t, though. Natural beauty is true and real.
on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 11:03 am:
I was going to say same as the others… what flaws? You look great to me. I’m glad you feel the same way!
on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 11:11 am:
Wow! This is a wonderful post and an amazing website. I just found it on Twitter and I’m glad I did. :)
on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 12:52 pm:
To those who said, “What flaws?” thank you, but trust me… they’re there! I’m having a major breakout right now on my face (thank you, menstrual cycle); more so on my forehead, which isn’t seen because my hair covers it (WIN!). But the flaws are there.
Als Simmons: I use St. Ives products for my face. I use the apricot facial scrub a few times per week, & their olive cleanser & mineral moisturizer daily. :] I love their products because they don’t test on animals, & they’re very inexpensive. I highly recommend it!
on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 12:54 pm:
Stunning and beautiful – you and this post, both. Such great points and it’s such a beautiful thing, this vulnerability.
on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 1:08 pm:
Thanks!
My face was perfectly fine (in hindsight), but has broken out since the weather changed. It doesn’t feel right… I’ve tried Kiehls, but it feels to heavy on my face.
I have the apricot scrub.. just started using it actually so that’s good. I’ll look for the moisteriser. Thanks!
I’ve been using bodyshop tea tree mask and it’s been soothing my face alot.
on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 1:10 pm:
Ev’Yan, you’re a gorgeous girl. Make no mistake.
I love this idea…there seems to be a lot of ‘face your flaws’ going on around the net right now.
on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 1:16 pm:
Oh my gosh, girl… You look amazing. I would LOVE to live in your skin just for a day – it’s so rich and beautiful!
Plus, I love that we have matching noserings. :D Long live the RING!
on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 2:15 pm:
I don’t see any flaws in this photo at all! You look gorgeous.
on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 3:53 pm:
you are probably the most gorgeous woman ever Ev’yan. As much as I would love to take a picture I also fear that I can’t without realizing the blemishes and the scars that I have on my face. When I look at myself in the mirror it makes me smile and I feel comfortable but once I have a camera and take a snap I feel as though I’m seeing thru a different perspective. :-(
Wonderful post love!
on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 4:00 pm:
I think you’re GORGEOUS!
on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 4:52 pm:
ev’yan this picture is amazing. seriously i love it.
on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 6:09 pm:
This is such a beautiful image and sentiment, Ev’Yan- thank you.
It always makes me sad, my most beautiful friends seem to hate themselves the most. Spending time with those people in my life can be fun here and there but always seems to…drain me a little, and leave me wondering why they’re choosing to be unhappy. Seeing your beautiful photograph here and the positive words just energizes me.
Thank you again!
on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 8:28 pm:
sweetheart, there are no flaws on that face! if i had a face like that, i would never wear makeup, haha.
good on you for being brave enough to post this though – we are always our worst critics.
on Friday, July 10th, 2009 at 1:36 am:
Wow! You have beautiful skin! Lucky you. ;) Though I never take pictures with makeup on, I would never do it up close! Your skin is flawless!
on Friday, July 10th, 2009 at 5:20 am:
Stunning.
on Friday, July 10th, 2009 at 9:17 am:
Yeah, really- what flaws?
on Friday, July 10th, 2009 at 3:31 pm:
You are beautiful in all of your natural glory.
I did something like this:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=32026391&l=17ccfe527a&id=42601686
on Friday, July 10th, 2009 at 3:59 pm:
I think you’re absolutely gorgeous. I stopped about half way to see if I could spot any ‘flaws’ and I actually think that we are more critical of ourselves than anyone else, because I couldn’t see any of the flaws you mentioned.
But regardless, I love your positive attitude. :)
on Friday, July 10th, 2009 at 4:38 pm:
First of all, regardless of how many times it has already been repeated (and because I can’t help myself), I MUST say that you are immensely beautiful. Your skin is just amazing!
Secondly, I would like to thank you for never ceasing to inspire me. Because of this post, I have decided to begin my very own Project 365 starting on my 18th birthday, a little over a week from now, and ending on my 19th birthday. Also, you’ve inspired me to be just as brave as you, and take a naked face photograph. Thank you so much!
on Saturday, July 11th, 2009 at 10:52 am:
What a GORGEOUS photograph! I love it! And you’re inspiring me to start a photo a day thing for me, too. I think it will be interesting if I do indeed embark on this journey.
on Sunday, July 12th, 2009 at 1:56 am:
This is such a beautiful thing, I mean your feelings about the pic. I’m so impressed:)
on Sunday, July 12th, 2009 at 11:29 am:
I’m totally doing one of these posts. I’m excited that someone I “know” did one! I was thrilled with the idea ever since I came across it at Demoiselles.
The very thought makes me nervous, but I love the incredible feeling posts like these give off. Just lovely!
(And you are lovely, too.)
on Sunday, July 12th, 2009 at 4:17 pm:
You’re so gorgeous I almost can’t deal with it. And the fact that you’re also such a beautiful person INSIDE? The best.
on Sunday, July 12th, 2009 at 5:18 pm:
So glad you wrote this post. I’d say for the past 6 weeks I’ve been struggling internally with the way I look. I’ve always felt beautiful and never had the desire to be the “glamour girl” just seems like too much work. But in my new town that’s what every one seems to look like and it’s kinda brushed against my self esteem…just a little.
What you wrote reminds me that I can just be who I am and never apologize for it. Thanks for that :)
on Sunday, July 12th, 2009 at 5:44 pm:
I know you don’t need to hear it again, but you’re so fricking gorgeous, and it is so much more than how you look. You carry yourself with such grace too, and that makes a world of difference.
on Monday, July 13th, 2009 at 9:19 am:
You are too pretty for makeup!
I did this too, not close close-up like you are Eyeliah (skin is freaking out right now lol) but I still did it. It’s in my photoshoot of me jumping into the pool (think I published it July 3rd :P)
on Monday, July 13th, 2009 at 3:17 pm:
You like your nose ring? Honey, I LOVEEE your nose ring. I love your entire face actually, your skin and I eyes are incredibly lovely. And yes, you owe it to yourself to highlight what makes you happy about the way you look.
on Monday, July 13th, 2009 at 5:36 pm:
you look ethereal in this photo.
you are such a beauty Ev’yan, inside AND out.
on Tuesday, July 14th, 2009 at 9:30 am:
You look great! Thank you so much for participating! :p
on Wednesday, July 15th, 2009 at 11:53 am:
truly inspiring. i hope women who need to realize their true beauty take a note from you.
on Wednesday, July 15th, 2009 at 10:10 pm:
awww this is such a beautiful post and picture! i like that it’s a close up.. and you can almost see the reflection from your eyes! and imperfections?? what imperfections?
on Thursday, July 16th, 2009 at 1:54 am:
This is inspiring. I’m such a makeup addict and it’s rare to find me with a completely nude face while I’m awake. But I would love to try a post like this. I’d be nervous as heck, but I imagine it would be wildly empowering!
P.S. You’re preeeeeeeeeeeeeetty.
on Thursday, July 16th, 2009 at 3:13 pm:
You look so stunning. Absolutely gorgeous! Your skin is so pretty! Not sure if I could do one of these posts. But maybe I should think about it. I always feel so NAKED without mascara.
on Friday, July 17th, 2009 at 9:06 am:
You look stunning here! Your full lips have a natural shine, even without gloss. Very pretty!
I think I will post a facially nude picture too :)
on Friday, July 17th, 2009 at 11:51 am:
Beautiful; I think you look stunning.
I’m getting better about not needing my make-up in the morning…funny to think I never wore it until I was 17!
on Sunday, July 19th, 2009 at 9:55 pm:
You are incredibly beautiful! Your skin is flawless and your eyes have such a light behind them. Keep it up girl. : )
<3 Sophie Mar
on Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 at 2:15 pm:
you inspired me to do the same.
thank you for your wonderful post. it’s very relatable and beautiful… all at once.
you can check out my response to this post here”
http://lifeonmyside.wordpress.com/2009/07/17/the-naked-truth/
on Thursday, July 23rd, 2009 at 10:10 am:
Stunning. Really.
on Thursday, July 23rd, 2009 at 11:33 am:
this picture stuck me–i couldn’t stop looking. you are simply stunning and this picture tells a story. great job!
on Tuesday, August 11th, 2009 at 5:53 pm:
great idea and beautiful pic!
on Saturday, September 5th, 2009 at 6:09 am:
[...] Kerri to Doni to Ev’Yan, it seems like everyone* is getting naked. Well, their faces, at least. (And all of those ladies? [...]