Some people might think makeup sets unattainable standards of beauty, and that applying it every day is an expensive, time-consuming chore. However, you can't deny that the results of all those pretty powders and paints are amazing. Makeup can be used to create
trippy optical illusions, craft incredible special effects in movies, and transform any face to accentuate its beauty and erase blemishes. (Guys, be honest: Sometimes you wish you could cover up those bags under your eyes with concealer, or slap some foundation over that embarrassing red pimple.)
Of course, this is all an illusion, so we shouldn't place too much importance on cosmetics. Going natural can be equally beautiful. Many women - including several
celebrities - have posted makeup-free selfies, proving you don't need eye shadow or lip gloss to look stunning. Actress
Blake Lively is the latest one to follow the trend, but her "au natural" photo really confused her 18.9 million followers on Instagram.
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The caption to the photo reads "Just a little #makeupfree selfie to round out the year. #2007 #aunaturale." However, it's obvious that Blake is wearing makeup, and the picture has been retouched. Once again, the actress was making one of her sarcastic jokes. But that's the problem with sarcasm on the Internet; if you don't add the "/s," some people aren't going to get it. Like these users in the comments:
"I can clearly see her lip gloss, eyeliner and mascara. What is she talking about?"
"You were born with pink lipstick and black eye liner and tan blush ? Mmmm."
"LOL. Since when is Mascara, Eyeliner, Foundation, and lipstick, makeup free!!??"
Thankfully, others got the joke, and tried to help out the confused (or just call them stupid):
"You guys know she was obviously being sarcastic right?? My god is everyone that stupid? Clearly she was poking fun of herself in the pic & the hashtags. People learn sarcasm.. please."
"If you think Blake is being serious then I feel really f’n bad for you because you’re seriously lacking in the humour department."
Meanwhile, one user understood the joke, but didn't think it was very funny:
"I know she’s just being sarcastic but this can really put someone down if they don’t realize. Beauty is on the inside. Everyone needs to know that."
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It's surprising so many people took the post seriously. Blake and her husband, actor
Ryan Reynolds,
regularly troll each other on social media. For instance, she posted a message wishing her husband a happy birthday, and attached a photo of Ryan Gosling, with
her Ryan standing next to him, almost entirely cropped out. Shortly afterward, the Deadpool star got revenge. He he posted a picture of Blake from the upcoming movie The Rhythm Section, in which the glamorous actress plays a frumpy character, and claimed it was a candid "no filter" photo. They're probably the funniest couple on social media; it would be weird if they posted something sincere.
Well, although people some were baffled, at least it started an interesting discussion about beauty. And now we can see why Blake Lively wears so much makeup: to disguise her true identity, as the biggest troll on social media.
