I’m Basic, and That’s Okay.

July 28, 2014

I keep hearing this term “basic” and “basic b*tch” again lately, probably because Lauren Conrad recently responded on Twitter to Allure Magazine. But what does that even mean? And why is there yet another way to label women?

Urban Dictionary defines a “basic b*tch” several ways, but I think the best description is this: “just an extra regular female”

Well, I guess I’m basic. But I think I’m in good company, because I’ve always liked Lauren. Whatever.


It’s funny, because after seeing these articles popping up, I started really thinking of myself as basic. I even posted this picture on Instagram and captioned it “looking pretty #basic today, but so be it.” I’m not a fan of labels, but for some reason I thought that this made sense and that it was okay to label myself that way. Like what made me feel basic that day? Was it because it was Monday and I was tired? Wearing glasses? Not wearing a ton of bright-colored eyeshadows or falsies (which never happens, btw)? I have no idea, but I think it’s silly and more importantly, WHO CARES?

When I saw that Kate, Jackie, and Nicole were hosting the Don’t Try So Hard link up, I thought it was a great opportunity to think more about this whole basic thing, and about beauty/style in general. Why does our society put so much pressure to label each other? I’d rather much rather just be Jenn, not basic, and definitely not anything with b*tch in the name.

Part of the challenge of Don’t Try So Hard is to, well, not try so hard. Show ourselves for who we are, without all the muss and fuss of blow outs, make up, and fancy clothes. Let’s be real, I never get blow outs, I do my make up basically the same way everyday, and you know what I wear, it’s not particularly fancy. But, here’s me without any of that:

Don't Try So Hard / hellorigby!
Okay, I may have a TINY bit of makeup clinging to my eyeballs, but this is me after washing my face off.

A feature I’ve always appreciated about myself is my eyes. I’ve gotten compliments on their large size since I was little. It used to make me feel uncomfortable, because people would say things like “whoa, your eyes are huge!” to a 5-year-old, but over time you get used to people who… well, put their foot in their mouth for a lack of a better term.

I do have insecurities though. My skin, for one, has been my enemy lately. I have no idea why it’s decided to wage some kind of war, but it has, and it’s obnoxious. I always thought I’d be done with the zit thing by now, but nope. I’m 25 and I’m still breaking out like a hormonal teenager. Awesome. While it sucks and has taken some of my confidence lately, I’m trying to focus on the things I can control, like what I’m fueling my body with – eating more fruits/veggies and drinking more water.

I think the best part of the #donttrysohard concept is that none of us are perfect. We all battle insecurities, whether its our nose, our skin, our hair texture, or whether we’ve been called a term like “basic,” we’re all unique. Whether you identify as basic, edgy, trendy, cool, everyone is beautiful in their own unique way. We’re all different, and I don’t think we should try to fit ourselves into any one mold. I mean really, how boring would that be?

What’s your favorite feature? What do you think about the whole “basic” concept?

68 Comments

68 thoughts on “I’m Basic, and That’s Okay.”

  1. jackie

    love your post and thanks for linking up! so true that none of us are “basic” and that we all are beautiful despite our insecurities.

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  2. Kels @ Blonder Side of LIfe

    Who Lauren Conrad is basically my celebrity idol so I guess that would make me “basic” as well? What ever happened to the term classic beauty or just classy in general!?! I hate the phrase “basic”, I realize it’s used as a joke of whatever, but can’t we all just be beautiful in our own way without catching slack for it? You’re gorgeous girl! (love your eyes :) )

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    1. Jenn Post author

      I love classic beauty or classy over basic too! It makes much more sense to describe her style anyways! Thank you, Kels! :)

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  3. Kate

    So I looked at the picture before I read the text and I swear my first thought was, “She has such beautiful skin!” haha! It’s it weird that sometimes the things we beat ourselves up over are the ones that other people admire and even want for themselves!?

    Thanks for linking up with us!

    -Kate
    http://www.theflorkens.com

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    1. Jenn Post author

      Definitely true, though to be honest, you can’t see the majority of my break outs in photos because it hides along my lower jaw! Thanks for starting this link up, it was a great idea!

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  7. katie @ that's for me to know

    I guess that means that I’m just basic, but I’m ok with that! I love your post and your pictures are awesome, You’re so beautiful! P.S. Has anyone ever told you that you kind of look like Kristin Bauer van Straten? Just saying.

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    1. Jenn Post author

      Aw, thank you so much Katie! I hadn’t heard that one before – but Breenah commented later and mentioned the same actress! Too funny.

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  9. Jamie G

    You do have huge eyes!!! That is something my mom has always said to me too– and I’m quick to point out the equally massive bags below them hahaha oh self-confidence. ;)

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  10. Kristen

    my skin is hating me as well. actually my whole body is. boo. you are gorgeous lady! if you are what ‘basic’ means, I want to be basic too :)

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  13. Vivian Stone

    Love this, I love Lauren too and I felt like they were saying that being “basic” is a bad thing. Your eyes are so pretty! I never had acne in my teenage years and since venturing into my 20’s I suddenly will get random areas of it when I’m stressed. Whatever you’re doing is great cause your skin looks amazing!

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  14. Breenah

    Love this post and I can’t really add anything to it, but without make-up you look like Kristin Bauer van Straten (Pam from True Blood). I don’t know if it’s the glasses or the make-up because I don’t really see a resemblance otherwise, but I love her so I had to stop for a second when I got to that picture of you.

    Reply ↓
    1. Jenn Post author

      Thanks Breenah! Someone else compared me to her too, I’ve never heard that before. I usually get Harriet the Spy (Michelle Tractenburg) ;)

      Reply ↓
  15. lisa

    I don’t see any acne at all! Your eyes are gorgeous and really stand out regardless of whether or not you’re wearing any makeup.

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  16. shelly

    i have the same issue with my mascara, there is always a bit hanging onto my eyelashes. but honestly the makeup free picture looks great. your lips have a nice natural coloring. my lips are the same color as my cheeks so when i dont wear lipstick i’m pretty washed out.

    Reply ↓
  17. Rebecca Chapman

    Wow! Absolutely gorgeous!

    When I first saw this link-up I thought, man I would be way too self-conscious to take pictures of myself without make-up. But it’s so inspiring to see others share photos and realize that the things they are self-conscious about, no one else seems to notice. The way we see ourselves is often so different from the way we actually look. Maybe I’ll be brave enough to try this as well!

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  19. Kenzie Smith

    This is the first time I’ve heard about the “basic” concept, I must be living under a rock! I guess that if I were to categorize myself I would be basic too, but that doesn’t bother me especially if Lauren Conrad is in that category too. Sometimes it’s nice to be basic and not have to worry about it. I love your eyes! They are gorgeous!

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  20. katrina

    I freakin’ LOVE this post and you are so right!!
    Plus, I feel like everyone’s definition of “basic” depends on what they’re like themselves. As much as I hate labels, I feel like this whole “basic b!tch” thing is all so subjective.

    xo,
    katrina
    thedemuremuse.com

    Reply ↓
    1. Jenn Post author

      Thanks, Katrina! It totally is subjective, what one person considers “basic” is totally different from someone else, hence why labels are so pointless!

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  22. Jennifer

    When I think Basic, I think training. But, seriously, I hate labels. To say that a woman is basic, in my mind, is to say she is unexceptional. You have an exceptional wit, not to mention eyes and lips.

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  24. Anne

    I think you look beautiful! Your eyes are gorgeous….such a pretty shade of blue. Basic to me also means real and natural. I don’t think of it in negative terms. I’d rather be any of those than fake. As for breakouts…still happens over here too and I’m much older than you. Can’t that be done and over with yet??

    Reply ↓
    1. Jenn Post author

      I wish! Agreed with your definition of basic, definitely much better than the way most people are using it. Thanks for the sweet compliments, Anne!

      Reply ↓
  25. Nicole @ Treasure Tromp

    I want to thank you for bringing up the whole “basic” term and allowing me to reflect about how what I think about the term. I’ve always thought of the term as meaning having a bland personality, never in terms of beauty or style …. which I know see is incorrect (gah, I’m so uncool).

    Anyway, I too am more than okay being basic. In fact I prefer it. So cheers to us basic ladies who embrace our natural beauty!

    Reply ↓
    1. Jenn Post author

      Haha, its okay, I would have never thought much about it if it hadn’t hit the headlines again recently! I’m fine with being “basic” too if it means we’re just natural beauties who aren’t celebrities. Totally fine with that! ;)

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  26. Sarah Christine

    Ok what does “extra regular” even mean? What does “regular” even mean? Everyone is different, that is what makes us all amazing, I can’t even think of what “regular” looks like.

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  27. Sara

    Absolutely loving this link up! It’s so nice and refreshing seeing women embrace themselves. I too think my eyes are one of my best facial features. My girls both have very big bright eyes, and I absolutely love it and hope that they keep that look with them as the grow up. Awesome post & great pictures! Super pretty!

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  28. Jennay

    Love this post! I have a hard time accepting society’s view of how women should dress and look. Basic to me is beautiful. I tend to believe less is more! Women come in all different shapes and sizes and we are all beautiful in our own ways! =)

    Reply ↓
  29. Natalie Brown

    When I saw the title of this post, I had to take a look to find out what “basic” meant. Wow, now that I know, I wouldn’t want to be whatever not basic is. The primary characteristic I think of for basic is down to earth and that’s a quality I look for in any person I want to know. I’ll never understand why women label and compete with one another but that’s a whole different blog post. I love your eyes too. I also have very large eyes. It is weird to have people say uncomfortable things about them. lol It’s happened to me to forever. Thanks for the wonderfully heartfelt and thoughtful post. :)

    Reply ↓
    1. Jenn Post author

      Totally agree with you Natalie – the pressure of being anything but “normal” (whatever that means) would not be worth it! Thanks so much – isn’t it funny the things people will say about our features? Glad I’m not the only one with that experience :)

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  31. Mira Johnson

    Jenn, I agree, you have very pretty eyes and full lips!

    I was not aware of this ‘basic b*tch’ trend, so frustrating to see more labels designed to insult women. #YesAllWomen

    Thank you for being a part of this link-up, you’re so brave =)

    I’ve joined in too!

    http://bit.ly/1pXMAOS

    (a video of me shaving my head, intimate & vulnerable)

    Reply ↓
  32. Kiersten

    I love this post! I’ve never understood the whole “basic bitch” thing – like does it mean you’re too plain? You’re not “smart” enough – like I don’t get it. What are you insulting exactly? Because I feel like if you’re spending your time labeling women who don’t live up to your standards, you’re probably a pretty shitty person with a boring life.

    And trust me – you’re not the only person way past the age of acceptable acne who still has it. I’ve been fighting that war myself. But I want to start focusing more on the things I like about myself – instead of that whole female thing of comparing attributes of our bodies that we don’t like. As though if I don’t like my hair, you all have to list things you don’t like about yourselves. It’s such a ridiculous way of convincing one another to put ourselves down, and it needs to stop! (although I’m definitely guilty of it, myself)

    Reply ↓
    1. Jenn Post author

      I don’t quite understand it either. I mean, I wrote about it, read about it, and still can’t quite grasp why people use it. It’s just another negative label to use to belittle others. Not cool.

      Agreed – I’m trying to be more positive about my body, celebrating the good instead of the “bad”. The more I work on this about myself, the more it drives me crazy when I hear others doing it vocally. You’re right, it does need to stop!

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  34. Martha

    Great post! I think it’s funny that Allure is, in their own way, slamming Conrad, considering she’s been on their cover in the past. Why spend so much time judging people who aren’t “cool” at the moment? It’s a waste of time and it’s petty.

    Reply ↓
    1. Jenn Post author

      Totally agree! There’s no reason to put someone down who they’ve supported in the past, and it’s just plain mean!

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