Photo by Gabriel Silvério on Unsplash
Beauty isn’t about fitting in, to what society wants you to look like. Embrace who you, this is one of the most powerful things you can do in today’s media-obsessed world. Did you know that redheads are most likely to get bullied at school or at work?
Crikey, just think how wonderful it would be to have a natural mane of red hair? Perhaps it’s jealousy or being ‘unique’, but it remains a complete mystery to the rest of us.
Helena was a gorgeous young teenager (a talented singer, cello player and hockey singer) with beautiful red hair, living in Cumbria (with Irish heritage). She was found hanged in a wood in Kendal, due to being bullied about her stunning tresses.
In fact, it often happens in England that people ruin their hair, to confirm to ‘standard beauty ideals’. For instance, most white people in England have Celtic heritage, so ‘dying your hair blonde’ often results in so-called ‘brassy’ hair, as this would require likely Scandinavian roots.
And beautiful black women with gorgeous hair end up ruining their tresses, by bleaching or straightening, to conform to beauty ideals (also very expensive and time-consuming to keep up).
Understanding Authentic Beauty
Authentic beauty is knowing who you are, and not trying to look like how someone else tells you to look like. Beauty is not perfection. Authentic beauty is about highlighting who you are, and being happy in your own skin. This is far more attractive, than just copying what other people look like.
It’s no coincidence that in Denmark (the happiest country on earth), there is no celebrity culture. Women don’t want to look like a Hollywood film star, they are just happy with who they are.
Social media has had horrendous effects on the self-esteem of young people in particular. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You don’t have to wait until social media dies away (which it likely will one day).
You can just switch off. Instead of scrolling to see what a ‘beautiful person’ looks like, use your time to go for a walk, take up meditation or join the local swimming pool. That is likely to do far more for your self-esteem than scrolling images on Pinterest.
Promoting Diversity and Inclusion
One area of concern is the beauty industry and media, that even tries to convince beautiful black and brown women to bleach and straighten their gorgeous curly locks, in order to conform to western ideals. Not only is this bad for their health and hair, but bad for the planet too, due to the toxic chemicals used.
Nina (name has been changed), a gorgeous vibrant toddler that I have known since she was a week old has a collection of Barbie dolls, gifted by her family. Nina is biracial, half-black and half-white. I was with her when she received one of her first Barbie dolls.
Within a few days, Nina started complaining non-stop that she “was ugly” and “hated her hair” because her naturally kinky hair looked nothing like her Barbie’s long straight mane. Elena Rossini (Italian filmmaker)
My Divine Natural Hair is the ideal book for the millions of people in England and beyond, who have Afro-American hair, which often is not thought about by major beauty companies.
After decades of ‘hair hate’ due to the media trying to force black women into conforming, now the natural hair movement is loud and proud, replacing bleaching and straightening with caring for this beautiful hair type naturally, not just to line the pockets of big beauty industry.
Avoid essential oils (and hibiscus) for pregnancy/breastfeeding and medical conditions. Avoid shea butter for latex allergies.
By the time I was a senior in college, the breakage around my temples had resulted in a less-than-full hairline. Braided hairstyles can lead to breakage if worn too long, and too often without giving hair time to rest. The tension that came from tight braid styles damaged my hair and scalp, causing uneven breakage and inflammation.
Lessons in Self-Esteem from Katie!
Katie Piper is one of England’s most inspirational young women. A former model, she was blinded in one eye by an acid attack, organised by an ex-boyfriend. After taking months and years to heal, she is now a popular TV presenter, children’s book author and founder of Katie Piper Foundation, which helps people suffering from scars due from birthmarks to burns.
Today, I have huge gratitude towards my appearance. I’m lucky to live in a country with the NHS. If I’d been injured in America and not been able to afford the medical bill, I might not be alive. I really do subscribe to the idea of beauty coming from within. However you look, if it doesn’t match how you feel, it’s kind of wasted on you. Katie Piper
