WASHINGTON — It’s been a mini-trend in popular music over the past few years: Male singers encourage women to go without makeup. Think Bruno Mars’ “Just the Way You Are,” Drake’s “Best I Ever Had,” One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful,” Kendrick Lamar’s “No Makeup (Her Vice)” or Joe Nichols’ “Gimme That Girl.”
It’s an admirable sentiment at first glance. But the clear implication is that the men in the song know what makes a woman beautiful (reference intentional) and that her self-conscious efforts are misguided. Never mind that the women in the videos for these songs are almost always wearing makeup.
There’s more than a bit of condescension in that, comedian Amy Schumer seems to argue in a video that premiered on her Comedy Central show Tuesday night.
But the premise of her “No Makeup” video is a bit different.
In it, a parody of a One Direction-like boy band relentlessly sings at her, “Girl, you don’t need makeup,” and continue to lecture her on the subject – until she follows their advice and they change their tune. Actually, they keep the same tune, but change the lyrics. Have a look:
Schumer’s video inspired a lot of social-media reaction, with the hashtag #girlyoudontneedmakeup gaining popularity on Twitter:
@amyschumer no makeup selfie plus guinea pig with no makeup! #girlyoudontneedmakeup pic.twitter.com/OmafMAuw1E
— Catherine Murphree (@Mrs_Sushi) April 30, 2015
@amyschumer my mom was diagnosed w #Alzheimers last yr. Since then I’ve taken lots of pix. #girlyoudontneedmakeup 1/2 pic.twitter.com/qQ8Grha60b
— Rachel Vargas (@RachelKati) April 30, 2015
The point of @amyschumer’s latest glorious video is clearly lost on Google Ads. Ah the irony pic.twitter.com/IfIKW3R5Y4
— Claire Hill (@clairehillmakes) April 29, 2015
#girlyoudontneedmakeup @amyschumer pic.twitter.com/yQxlRounEY
— C o l l e e n (@colldolll_) April 29, 2015
Schumer retweeted as many of these as she could, and eventually was moved to respond personally:
I have been brought to tears with all the strong, badass, incredible women tonight. In jungles, jumping out of planes, holding their babies
— Amy Schumer (@amyschumer) April 29, 2015
and mothers hands. All the strong lovely men who tweeted too. We are all different and beautiful. Let’s waste no time stressin bout looks.
— Amy Schumer (@amyschumer) April 29, 2015
We are sisters and fighters and laughers and happy strong women. Smile at yourself in the mirror girl. #girlyoudontneedmakeup much love!
— Amy Schumer (@amyschumer) April 29, 2015
