The day without makeup is held on Monday. While many Quebecers are concerned about their image, but definitions of beauty are multiplying, this is an opportunity to question the relevance of such an initiative.
Posted at 9:00 a.m.
Have you ever gone out without makeup? If only to go to the convenience store? The question may seem trivial, but according to a Léger survey1 carried out for the organization ÉquiLibre in August 2021, 30% of Quebecers do not feel able to go out in public if their appearance is not neat. “It testifies to the pressure that we impose on ourselves on a daily basis,” says Marie Soleil Dion, spokesperson for ÉquiLibre, an organization whose mission is to promote the development of a positive body image.
The actress and host specifies that this day is not made to demonize makeup, but rather to become aware of the disproportionate importance of appearance in our society.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY ÉQUILIBRE
ÉquiLibre spokesperson, actress and host Marie Soleil Dion, without make-up
You have to work on yourself, because collectively, I think we’re too obsessed with the image. Even though I don’t wear much makeup, I’m obviously concerned about how I look, how I dress. But we have to ask ourselves about the space that appearance takes up in our heads and in our lives.
Marie Soleil Dion, actress, host and spokesperson for ÉquiLibre
Still relevant ?
It was in 2010 that the magazine Elle Quebec and Canal Vie launched this first day without makeup, where women were invited to appear natural, without make-up or touch-ups. Personalities like Chantal Fontaine, Macha Grenon and Ima had agreed to pose without makeup for the women’s magazine. Twelve years later, Joanie Pietracupa, editor-in-chief of magazines Elle Quebec, She Canada and Vero, believes that beauty has evolved and that women no longer want to have this day without makeup imposed on them. “This day is not as necessary as it used to be,” she said.
Our editorial line is to deconstruct the cult of unique beauty so that all women recognize themselves. We’ve broadened the notion of beauty in our magazines so much, there’s diversity in our pages, both ethnically and gender-diverse, so it wouldn’t be appropriate in 2022 to tell them not to wear makeup. to make a statement, I prefer to leave the choice to them.
Joanie Pietracupa, Magazine Editor Elle Quebec, She Canada and Vero
The nutritionist and project manager at ÉquiLibre Andrée-Ann Dufour Bouchard believes that it is still necessary to reflect on the importance that we socially attach to appearance. “According to the Léger poll we conducted, 28% of Quebecers check their appearance in the mirror as soon as they can,” she says. Whether it’s makeup, slimming or youthfulness, many people push themselves to achieve beauty standards. »
“Let’s ask questions! launches Marie Soleil Dion. Did I get up too early to do my hair and makeup when I could have slept more? Do I ever miss a moment in my life because I care too much about my appearance? How do I feel when I see edited pictures on Instagram of women who have perfect bodies, faces, makeup, and gorgeous hair? Does it affect me? Does that discourage me? Do we have the desire to correspond to these images? When I was younger, I didn’t have access to all these images of perfect women on social networks, we just had the magazine girls today, and that was enough to make us complex! This day is an excuse to reflect and wonder if we devote too much time to our appearance. »
1. Léger survey for the ÉquiLibre organization, conducted from August 12 to 23, 2021 among 1,817 Quebecers aged 14 and over.