For her new Vogue cover photo shoot, Beyoncé intentionally chose not to get dolled up. Why? Because she wanted to set a good example of natural beauty and self-confidence for people.
“I think it’s important for women and men to see and appreciate the beauty in their natural bodies. That’s why I stripped away the wigs and hair extensions and used little makeup for this shoot,” she said.
Beyoncé opened up about her body, specifically post-pregnancy. While she said she has definitely felt pressure to look a certain way, Beyoncé noted that she’s found peace in her body as it is right now.
In a recent Harper Bazaar’s interview titled Beyoncé’s Evolution, Queen Bey talked about the repercussions of her work on her mental and physical health.
“I think like many women, I have felt the pressure of being the backbone of my family and my company and didn’t realize how much that takes a toll on my mental and physical well-being. I have not always made myself a priority,” she said.
“I’ve personally struggled with insomnia from touring for more than half of my life. Years of wear and tear on my muscles from dancing in heels. The stress on my hair and skin, from sprays and dyes to the heat of a curling iron and wearing heavy makeup while sweating on stage. I’ve picked up many secrets and techniques over the years to look my best for every show. But I know that to give the best of me, I have to take care of myself and listen to my body,” she added.
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Beyoncé said that she used to struggle with body image and was fixated on her physique.
“In the past, I spent too much time on diets, with the misconception that self-care meant exercising and being overly conscious of my body,” she said, adding that now she is changing her bad habits.
“My health, the way I feel when I wake up in the morning, my peace of mind, the number of times I smile, what I’m feeding my mind and my body—those are the things that I’ve been focusing on. Mental health is self-care too. I’m learning to break the cycle of poor health and neglect, focusing my energy on my body and taking note of the subtle signs that it gives me. Your body tells you everything you need to know, but I’ve had to learn to listen. It’s a process to change habits and look past the bag of chips and the chaos everywhere!”
