24 Women Share Their Stories About Feminism, Makeup and Empowerment

by Souzan Michael

In honour of International Women’s Day yesterday, we teamed up with Sephora Canada to set up shop at Sephora Bloor Street and talk to women about—what else—beauty. We had the absolute pleasure of meeting women of all ages and backgrounds, and hearing about their relationships with makeup (or lack thereof) as it relates to empowerment and feminism. As you can imagine, the results were truly enlightening.

Check out the videos below to see our interviews with 24 smart, funny and inspiring women. You can join the conversation on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter by using the hashtags #FASHIONxSEPHORA and #LetsBeautyTogether.

In honour of #InternationalWomensDay, we'll be posting videos of women sharing their stories about makeup, feminism and empowerment, all day long. #FASHIONxSEPHORA #LetsBeautyTogether @sephoracanada ? What's your first makeup memory? "I have memories of watching my mom put on makeup and I have memories of experimenting in high school, stealing her liquid liner and painting on bottom lashes like Twiggy. I also remember really being into pink and purple eyeshadow when I was 12. It looked horrible but I was into it." – @lesahannah ? Do you believe in makeup rules? "No. I definitely don't. I think you make up your own rules. It's what you like to do and what you feel is good for you." – @alexandrasherwin ? What's your go-to look when you want to feel confident? "I prefer big lips so the most confident I feel is in red lipstick." – @klaragai ? Have you ever been told to wear more makeup? "Kind of. I was once told before starting a new position to wear more eye makeup and that it would make me do better. I didn't. I never really wear eye makeup, and I did just fine." – @elizagrossman

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In honour of #InternationalWomensDay, we'll be posting videos of women's sharing their stories about makeup, feminism and empowerment, all day long. #FASHIONxSEPHORA #LetsBeautyTogether @sephoracanada ? What do you think of celebs going makeup-free? "I kind of appreciate the no-makeup movement in the celeb world because I grew up in the '90s and that just was not a conceivable idea, that a celeb would be seen makeup-free. So I do appreciate it. I think it is sending a positive message, whether people choose to embrace the no-makeup look or not." – @suziemichael ? Can you be a feminist and love makeup? "I think feminism is about human empowerment so doing whatever makes you feel confident and individualized is something I support whole-heartedly." – @astertee ? Whose makeup do you admire? "I don't know why but I thought of Kim Kardashian right away. So yeah I guess Kim Kardashian." – @kittykatflan ? Do you believe in makeup rules? "No, your face is your canvas. It's like telling a painter 'don't paint that.' So whatever you want to do to your face, do that. If you love it, enjoy it." – @tourdemorsenn

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In honour of #InternationalWomensDay, we'll be posting videos of women's sharing their stories about makeup, feminism and empowerment, all day long. #FASHIONxSEPHORA #LetsBeautyTogether @sephoracanada ? Where did you learn about makeup? "I'm kind of self-taught. I went on YouTube one day and randomly looked up makeup tutorials and taught myself." – @shahrmalik ? Do you believe in makeup rules? "I don't think I have many rules. I know what I like and don't like personally, but I don't like sticking to rules." – @caitliniswright ? Can you be a feminist and love makeup? "My idea of feminism is just having choice. I've been so fortunate to have so many choices and opportunities in my life. It's really just whatever works, whatever feels good with your outfit and your persona. In the end, you have to be yourself." – @madeline_dm ? Have you ever been told to wear less makeup? "My mom tells me that every day. But that's just because she goes for a more natural look. Other than that, no, I haven't been makeup-shamed so far." – @glambynids_

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In honour of #InternationalWomensDay, we'll be posting videos of women's sharing their stories about makeup, feminism and empowerment, all day long. #FASHIONxSEPHORA #LetsBeautyTogether @sephoracanada ? Do you believe in makeup rules? "No I think if you can work a clashing look or something bold, you should go for it. It's your statement." – @sumayya93 ? What are your thoughts on the no-makeup movement? "I think it's amazing that people have a choice whether they wear it or not, and if they choose not to, all the power to them." – @amandaprisciak ? Do you wear makeup every day? "Yes. Let's not lie. Yes." – @partonandjackson ? Where did you learn about makeup? "From my mom. She did a lot of creative looks on me for my dances when I was little and that inspired me to really get into makeup." – @mos_makeup_

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