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Young Woman Responds After Her Image Is Turned Into Cruel Memes All Over Social Media

SheSpeaksTeam By SheSpeaksTeam 10.13.15
Young Woman Responds After Her Image Is Turned Into Cruel Memes All Over Social Media
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Back in January, Ashley VanPevenage shared a pretty cool before and after shot of herself when she allowed the internet-famous makeup artist “MakeupByDreigh” hide an acne outbreak she experienced after having an allergic reaction to benzoyl. The results were stunning, but VanPevenage’s joy quickly turned to embarrassment and anger after she noticed her photo had gone viral and people were making fun of her.

People began captioning the photos with lines like, “I’ll spend some time with her, as long as I never see her before 10am” and “at least she’s hot with makeup” and “this is why I have trust issues.” Though the original photos were a way to show the makeup artist’s technique and skills (and some might say a pretty brave move on VanPevenage’s part), the positive images quickly turned negative when the memes poking fun of her skin started showing up everywhere.

Instead of stewing in her anger and embarrassment, VanPevenage decided to respond in a healthy way to send the message that making fun of a person online can do a lot more damage than you may realize. She also hopes to inspire people to ignore the bullies and be comfortable in their own skin.

She says in her YouTube video, “After this picture was posted and I read all these comments, I lost my confidence. I didn’t like going out in public without makeup or without my hair done. But I realize that that isn’t the person I am and people’s opinions don’t matter to me and they shouldn’t matter to anyone. Everyone should feel beautiful in their natural skin and it doesn’t matter what’s on the outside of your face. The only thing that matters is who you really are.

What do you think of the way internet users turned Ashley VanPevenage’s image into cruel memes?

What do you think of the way she has responded to all the hate?

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  • simplefrenchbeauty By simplefrenchbeauty
    12.27.15  

    It's funny because so many makeup artists and beauty gurus who wear makeup on a daily basis are slammed for wearing too much product, yet THESE are the people who are comfortable showing their true selves too. It's just ironic... Makeup or no makeup, everyone is beautiful.

  • ssueno By ssueno
    10.18.15  

    I think it's pretty ridiculous that people are saying "this is why I have trust issues." Like, if my eyelids naturally had gold on them. Bully girls who don't wear makeup and still bully girls who do wear makeup. How hypocritical

  • RemoveAccount By RemoveAccount
    10.17.15  

    It is hard for me to believe that people would say such negative things about someone but that is the reality of the Internet and Social Media. It happens all the time and I guess it's easy when you are on line. I am a blogger and my husband reminds me that there's going to come a day when someone says something very negative and hurtful to me. I just watched Ashley's response and I think she handled it with grace and confidence. She knows she is a beautiful person and wouldn't judge others because of their skin, weight, handicap, hair, whatever it may be. That's why she posted the picture - in her world - what happened is unfathomable. Ashley demonstrated she is a brave young woman who sets an example for others to follow. We need to care about other people, support them, and be the best people we can be. She is standing strong despite peoples attempts to bring her down.

  • Tikkun By Tikkun
    10.14.15  

    People are beautiful on the inside (of course there are exceptions), which is the most important place to BE beautiful. Self-esteem is key to happiness and success in life. Love yourself and who you are. Be the best person you can be. Care about others MORE than yourself, and certainly more than the way you look!! External looks can be false, both natural or with makeup. Anyone who commented on those photos in a negative way, well, I foresee lives of unhappiness and bad relationships. Feel sorry for those pathetic, misanthropic, mean, small people.

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