So I finally decided that I would in fact respond to my #nomakeup selfie nomination, because in spite of the controversy it has caused it has in fact encouraged people to donate, share stories and raise awareness. This is a good thing.

The fact that the campaign has caused some controversy actually makes it even better. It’s critics have voiced some of the things that might have been otherwise ignored. Why we should be talking about other types of cancers, not just breast cancer. Challenging the link between makeup-less faces and cancer patients. Pointing out that well intentioned though the campaign might be, just posting a slap-free selfie is not going to cure cancer, thereby encouraging people to DO SOMETHING, whether that be donating money or time or actually just doing a bit of research into things to watch out for and raising their own personal awareness.

I also decided that sharing these bare-faced pictures was good for promoting the celebration of natural beauty. I kept looking at the makeup free pictures of my friends and family and thinking “look how lovely you are”. This is also a good thing (although I already knew you were all lovely without makeup!).

After reading this note on Facebook I decided to donate to Teens Unite as most of my personal experience of cancer is through the young people I work with.

I also want to throw a couple of websites out there for you to look at. The first is for riprap which supports young people with a parent or family member with cancer. The second is for the Cancer Research UK signs and symptoms page. This is not intended to make people panic and become paranoid that every little thing might be cancer, but is IS good to be self aware and to make sure you get any changes checked.

So whether you decided to jump on the #nomakeup bandwagon or not I hope it will at least have provided some food for thought or maybe prompted you to do something, however big or small.