Home LIFE + STYLE Raw Beauty Talks – Inspired Defined

Raw Beauty Talks – Inspired Defined

A Real Look at True Beauty

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In a world that is consumed with physical beauty, dieting and body image, it was inspirational for me to come across an organization that is speaking out in the name of true beauty. From the first time I met Erin Treloar, founder of RAW Beauty Talks, I knew that I had to tell her story and share her message with NICHE readers, and I could think of no better time than within the pages of our annual Inspiration issue.

In a world that is consumed with physical beauty, dieting and body image, it was inspirational for me to come across an organization that is speaking out in the name of true beauty. From the first time I met Erin Treloar, founder of RAW Beauty Talks, I knew that I had to tell her story and share her message with NICHE readers, and I could think of no better time than within the pages of our annual Inspiration issue.

Erin started thinking about the concept a few years ago, but didn’t act upon the idea until 2013. “I was so afraid that no one would step forward to be photographed and that no photographers would be willing to donate their time to the cause.” Thankfully, she was wrong. Many industry professionals have stepped up to offer photography services, and many more women have stepped out of their comfort zone and in front of the camera.

For Erin, RAW comes from a very personal place. Erin went through her own personal period of struggle with weight. “That really held me back during what could have been some of the best times of my life. My happiness and feelings of accomplishment were based on a number on a scale and the size of my jeans, but the interesting thing was that the more weight I lost the more unhappy I became.”

NICHE asked Erin about the photo shoots and how raw they truly are. “The process is simple. RAW photographs women without makeup, editing or filters, in a black or white top, removing brand labels, fake eyelashes, tinted moisturizer and everything else that covers us up. It’s scary at first but totally liberating! After the photo shoot, we dive into a conversation about the woman’s relationship with beauty, confidence and self-love. We talk about everything from plastic surgery to post-baby bodies, our relationships with food, and raising the next generation of girls so they are confident, fearless and conquering their goals! We then post pictures and interviews on the RAW Beauty Talks website.” Check out my interview with Erin on the RAW Beauty Talks website (rawbeautytalks.com/ portfolio/tracey-drake).

Erin’s goal with RAW Beauty Talks was to turn the traditional definition of beauty on its head so that women feel confident, empowered and ready to take on the world. RAW imagines every woman feeling

beautiful exactly as she is. RAW imagines redefining the word beautiful so that it can no longer be defined by terms such as weight, height or skin colour. RAW imagines a world filled with more self- love and subsequently more love for one another. That is truly beautiful.

In today’s society, a lot of value is placed on appearance — by the fashion and beauty industries, by the media, by our peers and by ourselves. Erin believes that society and upbringing play a big part in making us believe that if we look a certain way, we will find happiness, success, love and power. It is natural to age, and so a lot of time and energy are spent achieving perceived perfection, which is always a losing battle.

RAW is by no means a “no makeup movement.” According to Erin Treloar, “we’re all about popping on some lipstick — it feels good and it’s fun! In an ideal world we’d feel just as confident without makeup as we are when we are wearing it. We’d be able to fly out the door to a work meeting one morning makeup free without feeling embarrassed, shy or less of a person. You still have the same brain inside your head and your personality hasn’t changed, right?”

ASHLEY DIANA MORRIS

Occupation: Guess? Model & Television Host

CHELAH HORSDAL (AND MOM LYNDSAY)

Occupation: Actor

DANIELLE PRESS (AND BABY CHARLOTTE KAY)

Occupation: Full-time mommy

ERIN IRELAND

Occupation: Food Reporter & Founder of To Die For Fine Foods

FIONA FORBES

Occupation: Canadian TV personality & host of The Rush

LESLEY KIM

Occupation: Fundraiser & eternal optimist

Would you like to join the Raw Beauty Talks movement? Post a photo of yourself on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram without makeup, editing or filters, using the hashtag #RAWBeautyTalks and learn more online at rawbeautytalks.com.

From the 2014 Inspiration issue of NICHE

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