‘We did it’: Influencer, 28, does what most women never could
Ariella Nyssa made an “empowering” stance on a recent red carpet against a common issue women face daily – and fans love her for it.
Content creator Ariella Nyssa had never been on a red carpet until last night at the 2024 TikTok Awards.
Ms Nyssa, the host of The Self Love Bible podcast, earns a living by sharing unfiltered photos of herself and self-love advice.
The 28-year-old has amassed over 822k followers on Instagram and 1.7 million on TikTok and her most viral video, which has over 23 million views, features her bare stomach in an attempt to “normalise love handles”.
For her awards show debut, Ms Nyssa wanted to practice what she preaches online and decided to go completely makeup-free for the event, which was hosted at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion.
And in a very on-brand move for the influencer, she also wore a dress with a low-waisted cut-out which showed off her stomach.
Her pared-back look stood in stark contrast with many others on the red carpet, most of whom had glam teams preparing them for the event and spent much of the day getting ready.
“I wanted to do something groundbreaking,” she told news.com.au.
“I knew everyone was dressing up, and I thought, how can I help my followers feel amazing about themselves? So I decided to go to my first red carpet event without any makeup for the first time ever.”
Although she initially felt nervous and questioned her decision in the lead-up, she said she felt “free” and “beautiful” as soon as she arrived and described it as a “surreal” experience.
When asked about her skincare routine for achieving her glowing skin, she revealed, “I just use moisturiser.”
“I used to follow a ten-step skincare routine, but I’ve cut it down to just one moisturiser, and my skin has improved so much since then,” she added.
Ms Nyssa shared various photos of her minimalist look to Instagram and explained more about her bold decision in the caption.
“My first red carpet and I decided to go makeup-free and wear a beautiful dress that showed off my lumps and bumps,” she wrote.
“I wanted to show that we are beautiful in our natural forms. That we are ENOUGH just as we are. I feel so empowered and emotional because we DID THAT. I wanted to show everyone that embracing your authentic self, with no makeup and no dress to hide behind is just as beautiful as if I were all dressed up.
“I am beautiful, my imperfections are beautiful and they make me human. This is who I am. If I can do it, you can too!”
The outpouring of love and support in her comments section was immediate.
“Love this and everything you stand for,” wrote one fan.
“You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen,” fellow content creator and friend @godbless_jess wrote.
“You’re the entire definition of beauty inside and out my girl,” a third praised.
“So inspiring. I’m so proud,” said a fourth.
“YOU are what I needed to see growing up,” claimed yet another follower.
After her photo went viral, Ms Nyssa took to her stories tearing up.
“I’m getting emotional reading all my comments from the awards. Yesterday when I wasn’t going to wear makeup I was freaking out because I haven’t been to a party or an event without makeup since I was 12,” she shared.
“I know so many girls who have done that as well. And just to step out there on a red carpet and do interviews and get photos and actually feel amazing without makeup on is such a huge achievement for me.
“I had so many negative thoughts about what people would think. Now reading all the comments saying it helped you to feel more beautiful in yourself is all I wanted from that experience.
“I’m so proud of myself. Here’s to many more events and parties going bare-faced and wearing dresses showing off our curves. We deserve to feel beautiful in those moments.”