March 23, 2014 - Written by: Lauren Williams

Ladies, did you get naked? #nomakeupselfie

The #nomakeupselfie trend took social media by storm this week – and boy did it spark up some debate!

“It’s vain”

“It’s narcissistic”

“I don’t see the point”

“It’s just a shame it takes online media and even vanity to highlight a disease we all clearly know about and many other causes and so we should be donating naturally.”

“Going barefaced is NOT courageous”

I feel like these naysayers are missing the point. That they’re finding argument for argument’s sake.

I mean, wow, is this any different from Comic or Sports Relief? Hundreds of people only donate each year because they see something on the telly, so why are people being shot down for seeing something on social media and donating their hard-earned cash? I’m sorry to say it, but it’s the same thing. And when it comes down to it, every donation is as valuable as the next.

The haters gon’ hate no matter what, but I really can’t see the negativity in this.

(Image via)

Do people not realise that this has raised over TWO MILLION POUNDS for Cancer Research alone?

That donations have spiked for Breakthrough Breast Cancer and numerous local cancer charities all over the country?

Surely, something that raises that much money so quickly shouldn’t be criticised? Surely this is a good thing. And yes, Yomi Adegoke, going barefaced is brave for those who can’t leave their homes without their warpaint on.

Don’t get me wrong, I get your point that compared to cancer, the bravery needed to take the slap off is nothing short of ridiculous.

But it’s a brave thing for some girls to do, and when it comes down to it, surely the donation is what matters.

This is when social media really puts negativity in its place – this wouldn’t have worked if Facebook, Twitter or Instagram didn’t exist. OK, so NekNominations wouldn’t have done either, but we’re putting things into perspective here. It’s a nomination game, and I’ve gotta hand it to you ladies, we top-trumped those boys by raising money rather than raising our blood:alcohol ratios.

This isn’t the first time social media has shown that people are good and restored faith in humanity, if only for a minute or two. When a tsunami hit Thailand, Twitter helped reunite families and friends. Twitter and Facebook arranged the mass cleanup of London after the riots in Clapham in 2011. Hell, it even warned the people of Cornwall where floods were and what roads were closed in the last few months. And that’s just off the top of my head.

The #nomakeupselfie trend wasn’t even started by Cancer Awareness, but by the goodwill of the general public.

This was no PR stunt and this was no marketing campaign that cost hundreds (and trust me, just meetings about meetings about campaigns costs a lot of money in the marketing world), but it was so simple and it touched so many people that everyone joined in. Even the boys took part by slapping on the makeup and posting.

So ladies, gents. If you haven’t been nominated yet, I urge you to do so.

Whether you bare your naked lady face to the world or strap a sock on that cock, put yourself out there and raise more awareness! Just don’t forget to donate to a charity for your efforts.

Don’t worry, we’re not getting away with this ourselves, here is me and our lovely editor Yaz, baring it all in aid of cancer research: