WASHINGTON 鈥� It鈥檚 been a mini-trend in popular music over the past few years: Male singers encourage women to go without makeup. Think Bruno Mars鈥� 鈥淛ust the Way You Are,鈥� Drake’s “Best I Ever Had,” One Direction鈥檚 鈥淲hat Makes You Beautiful,鈥� Kendrick Lamar鈥檚 鈥淣o Makeup (Her Vice)鈥� or Joe Nichols’ 鈥淕imme That Girl.鈥�
It鈥檚 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鈥檚 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 鈥淣o Makeup鈥� video is a bit different.
In it, a parody of a One Direction-like boy band relentlessly sings at her, 鈥淕irl, you don鈥檛 need makeup,鈥� 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鈥檚 video inspired a lot of social-media reaction, with the hashtag #girlyoudontneedmakeup gaining popularity on Twitter:
no makeup selfie plus guinea pig with no makeup!
鈥� Catherine Murphree (@Mrs_Sushi)
my mom was diagnosed w last yr. Since then I’ve taken lots of pix. 1/2
鈥� Rachel Vargas (@RachelKati)
The point of 鈥檚 latest glorious video is clearly lost on Google Ads. Ah the irony
鈥� Claire Hill (@clairehillmakes)
鈥� C o l l e e n (@colldolll_)
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
鈥� Amy Schumer (@amyschumer)
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.
鈥� Amy Schumer (@amyschumer)
We are sisters and fighters and laughers and happy strong women. Smile at yourself in the mirror girl. much love!
鈥� Amy Schumer (@amyschumer)
