After receiving hateful comments about her skin on social media, Em Ford of My Pale Skin made this powerful film to highlight the impact that social media has on the way we perceive ourselves.
View this video on YouTube
These are some of the real comments she received when she began posting photos of her face without makeup.
She received over 100,000 comments about her face.
Em says, “When my skin became problematic last year I found myself hiding away, feeling that how I looked was unacceptable for social media. It was then that I realized that I really needed to question how and why I was feeling this way."
"What surprised me and resonated with me was how many people also felt the same way – that others were afraid to show their true selves, too – and that was what I wanted to address."
"Whilst I was overwhelmed by messages of support, the negative comments were both shocking and disturbing."
In the film, Em starts off bare-faced, but soon is seen putting on a full face of makeup.
The responses she received with full makeup were so extreme compared to the bare-faced comments that she decided to collect them.
She received lots of positive feedback on her makeup photos...
But Em also received comments that expressed people's distrust of her.
"One challenge many face today, is that as a society, we're so used to seeing false images of perfection, and comparing ourselves to unrealistic beauty standards that It can be hard to remember the most important thing - You ARE beautiful.”
You are beautiful. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
