Further proof that pimples are, in fact, chic: In February 2017, model Starlie Smith — sister to Lucky Blue, Daisy Clementine and Pyper America and lead singer of family band The Atomics — walked the D&G runway with visible acne (masked by layers of foundation and concealer, but still). The following month, she posted a photo of her (seemingly) makeup-free face on Instagram with the caption: "Also, WHO CARES IF YOU HAVE ACNE YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL (A love note to myself & others struggling) #honest." The post prompted a ton (around 300) of positive responses and got close to 11,000 likes.
Many a professional beautiful person struggles/has struggled with acne. Australian-Portuguese model Belle Lucia falls into the latter category. Four months ago (rather uncharacteristically), Lucia posted a side-by-side photo comparing her face as a teen (when she had cystic acne) and her look now. "No one is perfect," she wrote in the caption. "I'm posting this to hopefully help those out there suffering with acne or anyone worrying about the way they look, because when I was young I wish someone would have told me that your looks don't define you and even the 'models' you see on advertisements aren't perfect."
Megastar Kendall Jenner has spoken at length about her struggles with acne. In a 2015 app post she wrote, "It completely ruined my self-esteem. I wouldn't even look at people when I talked to them. I felt like such an outcast; when I spoke, it was with my hand covering my face. Sure, I had crushes in high school, but I wouldn't even think about looking at guys." Of course, Jenner's openness about her insecurities didn't stop trolls from rudely commenting on her non-smooth complexion at this year's Golden Globe awards.
Happily, it seems Jenner's since gotten over her acne insecurities. Ignoring the negative Twitter babble, she responded to one fan who praised her for "showing up and strutting her acne." "Never let that shit stop you!" she wrote. (Hear, hear.)
If you follow the acne positivity movement, chances are you follow Em Ford of My Pale Skin. In 2015, the beauty influencer recorded the now-famous video "You Look Disgusting," in which she revealed how much hate she received for showing her real skin. (Unsurprisingly, it quickly went viral.) The #content master's page is full of acne-safe makeup tips, bare-faced selfies and sharp captions. (Her thoughts on the aforementioned KJ Twitter drama? "From one woman with acne to another, thanks [Kendall] for having the courage to stick your middle finger up at the petty-minded idiots of the world.")
