When Emily Weiss founded Glossier in 2014, she declared that her company intended to “democratize beauty” while celebrating “real girls in real life.” It almost seemed too good to be true, because let’s face it—how could a makeup company genuinely preach self-acceptance while still peddling products to change one’s appearance?
But by today (Glossier’s third birthday!), it’s become clear the brand can walk the walk. Take their recent campaign for Body Hero, an oil wash and moisturizing duo, that featured women of all body types and backgrounds posing nude.
The Body Hero campaign resonated with women around the world (Glossier just opened shop in Toronto and Paris, and will hit London soon), and the message proved deeply personal for its models as well. Below, read some of their powerful responses to becoming the faces (and bodies) of this new product.
#glossier #bodyhero #democracyofbeauty #glossiergirl #beauty #paris #london #nyc #toronto
@palomija
Look, I’ve never done nude before. I cried 3 times before this shoot. I cried because I still feel scared, paralyzed by insecurity at times, and exhausted by an unfettered vulnerability that I want to present to the world. As I paced the upstairs bathroom of @springstudios I chanted to myself “this isn’t for you paloma. this isn’t about you. get out of your ego. be of service” over and over until the anxiety subsided and I was convinced of the mantras which guide me through many jobs, most importantly this one. I did this to show that being fat isn’t a burden. Being fat isn’t ugly or shameful. To prove to one person that it isn’t BRAVE to be fat, but bountiful. And for that young girl looking on instagram, or walking down Spring st, that she is fucking perfect despite the precarious and irresponsible versions of beauty we are urged to digest. I love you @glossier thank you for this incredible opportunity, for clearing the set, for wiping my tears, for playing SWV, and for helping me shed my insecurities in pursuit of greater impact and awareness 🌸 #bodyhero
💪 Hero: Paloma Elsesser | 💻 Occupation: Model
📍 Location: New York, NY | 📊 Follower Count: 107,051
@ty_haney
#doingthings for my pal @emilywweiss – such a crazy cool shoot for @glossier #bodyhero with a great group of Girls. I’ve always had a sporty body and at times have hated ‘being too muscly’. Happy to be at ease with muscle and butt and broad shoulders now. It feels good to feel strong inside and out. 💥
💪 Hero: Tyler Haney | 💻 Occupation: CEO of Outdoor Voices
📍 Location: Austin, TX | 📊 Follower Count: 16,747
@mekdesmersha
This is my body. I wish I could caption this something ~kewl~ like “Issa mood” or something confident and clever and on trend but that wouldn’t be the honest truth about how nervous I was for this to launch. I have always had a love-hate (mostly hate) relationship with this body similar to many other women I know. I never entertained the idea I would ever model (my degree is in Biology and I have always worked as a full-time researcher…also lol confidence) but when I was 22 I signed to an agency who sold me a dream contingent on one thing– losing 2 inches. My excitement quickly spiraled into a full blown ED. I would spend hours in the gym, calculated every calorie, binging my life away…things I’m not proud of. I was the skinniest I’ve ever been (although I couldn’t see it) but the agency ghosted me and instead I ended up with an ED that I would nurse for years to come and even seek therapy for. It’s still something I struggle with to this day, although I do a good job at masking it with humor. I’m in a *much* better place now. I’m super grateful for my church fam for teaching me that my identity is not in any industry standards but in God alone and my partner for always making me feel beautiful. Ty @glossier for letting me be my own body hero and for always letting women shine as they are 💞 #bodyhero #alittlerollsainthurtnobody
💪 Hero: Mekdes Mersha | 💻 Occupation: Clinical Research Coordinator & Model
📍 Location: New York, NY | 📊 Follower Count: 10,316
@piaarrobio
My weight has fluctuated 30 lbs since i was 13. at 30 i finally feel like myself. this was the hardest thing ive ever done – posting this is hard. but these are the things i do for @glossier – the single most disruptive brand with the smartest, coolest team and fucking good product. i would have never said no. thank you girls 💕 📸: @peggysirota
💪 Hero: Lara Pia Arrobio | 💻 Occupation: Designer
📍 Location: Los Angeles, CA | 📊 Follower Count: 86,466
@swincash
39 weeks pregnant and confidently embraced my “Body Hero” journey into motherhood👑 Thanks @glossier @emilywweiss for this authentic, kick-ass campaign! #teamwegrindin 💋 #glossier
💪 Hero: Swin Cash Canal | 💻 Occupation: Athlete, Former WNBA Star
📍 Location: New York, NY | 📊 Follower Count: 60,009
THE GET
