In both the fitness and beauty industries, transparency and honesty are paramount. Just as it’s essential to be truthful about one’s use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in fitness, the beauty world faces its own issues with honesty, particularly with the “no makeup makeup” trend, skincare claims, and the use of injectables. Let’s explore why authenticity matters in both realms and how these parallels highlight the importance of integrity.
Why It’s Fine Not to Be Natty (aka Natural)
- Personal Choice: Whether it’s choosing to use PEDs for fitness goals, makeup for beauty enhancement, or injectables for cosmetic improvements, these are personal decisions. They are valid choices that individuals make for various reasons, including achieving specific goals and enhancing self-confidence.
- Transparency: In both fitness and beauty, being open about the use of enhancements fosters a more honest and informed community. Many influencers and professionals in both fields are transparent about their methods, helping others make informed decisions.
- Informed Decisions: When people are honest about their enhancements, whether it’s PEDs, makeup techniques, or injectables, it contributes to a well-informed audience. This transparency allows others to understand the full context and implications of these choices.
Why It’s Not Fine to Lie
- Misleading Others: Claiming to be natty while using PEDs, presenting a “no makeup makeup” look as a bare face, or hiding the use of injectables misleads others. It sets unrealistic standards and can lead to frustration and disappointment among those trying to achieve similar results naturally.
- Integrity and Trust: Honesty is crucial in maintaining trust. When fitness influencers lie about being natty or beauty influencers misrepresent their makeup-free look or conceal their use of injectables, it undermines their credibility and the trust of their followers.
- Unrealistic Expectations: Misrepresentation creates unrealistic expectations about what can be achieved naturally. In fitness, this can lead to overtraining and self-criticism. In beauty, it can result in an obsession with achieving an impossible standard of “natural” beauty.
- Fair Competition: In competitive sports and the beauty industry, claiming to be natty, makeup-free, or injectable-free while using enhancements is unfair to those who are genuinely competing without them. It distorts the playing field and devalues the efforts of those who are truly natural.
A prominent example of this misrepresentation in the beauty industry is Kylie Jenner’s promotion of her lip kits. Jenner attributed her full, juicy lips to her lip kits, creating a massive following and significant sales. However, it was later revealed that she had been using lip fillers to achieve that look. This revelation highlighted the discrepancy between the marketed product and the actual method used, leading to criticism for misleading consumers.