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Inspiring Grads Talk Hopes, Dreams and Zoom Celebrations

Read on for their naturally beautiful portraits

Graduation season is looking a little different this year: convocation has been swapped with Zoom ceremonies, and comfy clothes are officially the new tasseled caps and gowns. Since in 2020, the end of this life chapter isn’t quite what any grads expected, we partnered with Burt’s Bees to make this milestone one to remember for three inspiring young graduates. They received a gift bag of Burt’s Bees makeup to get ready with, and posed for a special and socially distanced grad photoshoot. Read on for their naturally beautiful portraits, and their hopes and dreams for the future.

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Maya

22, HBSc in Philosophy & Psychology

How did you celebrate your graduation this year?

“My graduation was celebrated over live video. It ended up being more inclusive; it allowed for my family that lives abroad to connect over Zoom, we were able to drink mimosas and enjoy brunch while watching the speeches, and it shortened a six-hour ceremony of 15,000 graduates to only one hour. I definitely think this will become the new and better way of graduating! I still dressed in my finest with a long black dress and a flower crown as per Italian tradition.”

What are your goals for the future?

“With my degree, my goal for the future is to expand my dialectical discussion groups into a research-based institute that allows for the progression of a better education system—one that involves connecting facilities of science and uniting them through a single objective.”

How was your experience getting ready for today’s shoot?

“I was shocked at how easy the Burt’s Bees products were to apply and set without even needing setting spray, and I found I was able to put a full face of makeup without it looking or feeling cake-y or too much. Even my boyfriend agreed! I loved the Lip & Cheek Stick in Blush Bay— the creamy texture allowed me to control the amount of colour with my finger alone. Also, the Concealer—I was thankful that it was moisturizing so my skin could feel healthy all day long. The fact that the products are made with ingredients from nature makes me feel confident that I’m making the right choice for my lips and skin.”

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Kieona

21, Bachelor of Journalism

How did you celebrate your graduation given all the social distancing restrictions?

“I stayed at home and spent hours watching shows and movies without feeling guilty about an assignment. I wrote about the occasion in my journal which helped process my thoughts. It was enough to receive cheers from friends and family over texts. 2020 has been a deafeningly loud year, so graduating feels like a quiet accomplishment, which I appreciate. It is comforting to think that many people graduating now are facing the world with the same wariness. My time feels more valuable, anything I do now is for me, not a grade.”

What are your goals for the future?

“My goals for the future all relate to storytelling. I’d like to be published in the magazines I enjoy by writing articles about fashion, inclusivity and people who are creating change. My goal to live outside of Canada for a year is delayed, but still exists.”

How was your experience getting ready for today’s shoot?

“It was fun, my younger sister sat with me as I tried out all the Burt’s Bees products. She tried to take some for herself! I enjoyed trying different blush and lip combinations—my favourite product was the Lip & Cheek Stick in Lilac Lagoon. The shade reminds me of summer plums, and the clear balm centre adds moisture. I also loved the the Goodness Glows Tinted Moisturizer with green tea, because I barely felt it when it was absorbed and a little amount covers my whole face. I will use this product instead of foundation because it minimizes my pores and blends without feeling like a layer of product on my skin.”

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Kourtney

22, Bachelor of Journalism

How does it feel to be graduating this year?

“I feel very proud and excited to check such a monumental achievement off the list. On the other hand, it feels strange to complete something I’ve worked towards for four and a half years and not get to celebrate in the ways I thought I’d be able to. My entire family is across the country in Alberta, so it was really hard to not have them here. But my amazing boyfriend, family and friends organized a surprise celebration over Zoom where they gave me a pretend diploma and put decorations up. It was extremely special.”

 What are your goals for the future?

“More than anything I want to do work that I’m passionate about. Throughout my degree, I’ve leaned more towards communications work and social media management so that’s the route I’m planning on taking. I also have a small luxury scrunchie brand called Kasual by Kourtney and am planning to put more work into that—you never know where little dreams can take you!”

How was your experience getting ready for today’s shoot?

I’ve used the Burt’s Bees lip balm for as long as I can remember, so I loved using their products to create my look today. It’s definitely a brand I trust. I might normally put on more layers of makeup, but I felt so glowy even with just the tinted moisturizer and concealer. Now, I cannot get enough of the Matte Stick in Rush of Raspberry. It made my lips look so lovely and still felt really nice, not sticky or dry the way other lip products can. I also instantly became obsessed with the Volumizing Mascara. My lashes looked so long and thick all on their own. This one is definitely a new go-to! I loved how natural I looked, and how light my face felt.” 

 
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Burt’s BeesA selection of products used in the photoshoot.

 

This content was created by The Kit; Burt’s Bees funded and approved it.