Content Warning: ageism and body-shaming
In the 1990s and early 2000s, the general population was very focused on body types and valued thinness much more than voluptuous curves or body positivity.
Now in 2024, the focus has moved away from an emphasis on thinness and has started to focus more on people looking young for as long as possible. The pressure has caused a huge surge in the consumption and purchasing of anti-aging and skincare products, and younger and younger people are getting their first procedures, like filler and Botox, done.
Social media influencer Courtney Ball recently shared a video on TikTok as a reminder of what women's faces naturally look like through the aging process when not applying makeup, using filters, or getting 'work' done.
In the caption of the video, Ball wrote:
"All natural is always most beautiful in my opinion."
Ball proceeded to show her face from both sides as well as straight forward, before also showing the crinkles around her nose and eyes when she scrunched up her face or smiled.
You can watch the original video here:
Some TikTokers were overwhelmingly positive and supportive of Ball's natural look.
They called her beautiful, stunning, and natural, with some even calling for a modeling contract, and others saying how she reminded them of that one friend we've all had in life who would not come inside no matter what we did.
@courtneylillianball/TikTok
@courtneylillianball/TikTok
@courtneylillianball/TikTok
@courtneylillianball/TikTok
@courtneylillianball/TikTok
@courtneylillianball/TikTok
@courtneylillianball/TikTok
@courtneylillianball/TikTok
@courtneylillianball/TikTok
@courtneylillianball/TikTok
Ball showed her appreciation for the positive comments, including her thoughts on natural aging.
Others were much more judgmental about Ball's look, with some saying that she obviously was not wearing SPF.
@courtneylillianball/TikTok
@courtneylillianball/TikTok
@courtneylillianball/TikTok
@courtneylillianball/TikTok
@courtneylillianball/TikTok
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@courtneylillianball/TikTok
@courtneylillianball/TikTok
@courtneylillianball/TikTok
Ball responded to those accusations, swiftly dropping her skincare routine, which included SPF.
With social media being full of perfectly curated photos, filters, and essentially popularity contests, people are feeling the pressure at younger and younger ages to "do something" about their looks, like getting Botox and fillers in their early 20s instead of waiting until later.
All of this adds up to give us a skewed perception of what a person looks like in the natural aging process with no 'work' done and with no makeup on.
Fortunately, it doesn't seem Ball will be changing her involvement out in nature any time soon.
"I will never stop soaking up the light."
Everyone should do what makes them happy, whether that means wearing a full beat of makeup, going natural, having 'work' done, or some combination of all three! As long as it's being done because it makes the person happy, and not because they feel pressured to do it, then it's the best plan for them!
But this was a great reminder that natural beauty is beautiful, too, despite the pressure we're feeling to look young and flawless for as long as possible.
@jessicachastain/Instagram
