February 22 to 28 is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. We'll be sharing information about this important issue throughout the week, from what to do if you or a friend is suffering from an eating disorder to how to love your body just the way it is! Be sure to check out all of our content here.
Last week, an unretouched photo of famous model Cindy Crawford was leaked online. When rumors indicated that this photo was to be featured in an upcoming issue of Marie Claire, those rumors were met with an overwhelmingly positive reaction. Women were thrilled that Marie Claire and Crawford would post these photos without airbrushing them first, and that the model would be portrayed in her natural state of beauty.
Unfortunately, Marie Claire was quick to end these rumors: the photo would not be featured in an upcoming issue of the magazine. In fact, the photo above was actually an image from a December 2013 editorial from the magazine's Latin American edition. Marie Claire posted on its website that day, "An unretouched photo of Cindy Crawford has been circulating on Twitter this morning, revealing a body that defies expectations - it is real, it is honest, and it is gorgeous."
Shortly after, unretouched photos of Beyoncé were also leaked. The images came from her 2013 campaign for L'Oréal, and in them, Queen Bey's skin isn't airbrushed like it typically is in the beauty brand's advertisements.
These photos were also met with a flood of gratitude from Bey-fans everywhere who appreciate seeing a celebrity looking naturally beautiful with less-than-perfect skin, instead of those airbrushed images constantly used in the media.
Though none of these photos will be printed anytime soon, the fact still remains that seeing photos of beautiful celebrities that hasn't been airbrushed to some unrealistic ideal of the female face and body was an inspirational moment for women everywhere. Cindy Crawford and Beyoncé both do not need to be airbrushed to look beautiful, and neither does anybody else! They look gorgeous in all of their natural glory in these photos, and we should all follow that example.
Sometime in the next week, which happens to be National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, take the time to post a picture of yourself on social media without taking the time to retouch it in any way. Don't edit that selfie on your iPhone or use a filter when you post it on Instagram—show the world your natural beauty, and you'll be surprised how empowered you can feel and how many people you can inspire!
Think you might be suffering from an eating disorder? The National Eating Disorders Association has a free and confidential screening to help you determine next steps. If you're looking for more information, be sure to call the NEDA helpline. Looking for ways to help spread the word? Find out how you can get involved on your campus.