“Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.” – Coco Chanel
In an age where trends change faster than the seasons and perfection is just a filter away, keeping up with societal beauty standards has become more than a pastime—it’s become a pressure. From nose jobs and lip fillers to skin-lightening creams and elaborate skincare routines, people are increasingly chasing an idea of beauty that often feels artificial and out of reach.
But what are we really trying to achieve? Are we seeking confidence, or are we surrendering our individuality to a standard that treats uniqueness as a flaw?
Let’s peel back the layers and talk about what beauty really means.
In today’s social media-driven world, beauty trends influence identity. The “perfect face” has become a template: symmetrical features, fair skin, plump lips, sharp jawlines. And in trying to replicate this template, people are resorting to increasingly invasive and expensive methods. From Botox to cosmetic surgery, the pressure to fit in is heavy. What once was a choice has now become a perceived necessity. The underlying message? You’re not enough the way you are.
But here’s the truth: beauty should be about celebrating uniqueness, not erasing it. As the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi teaches, there is beauty in imperfection. The tiny gap between your teeth, the scar on your eyebrow, the curve of your nose—these are the details that tell your story. Why cover them up?
Perfection, as society defines it, often leads to uniformity. The irony? In trying to look “perfect,” many end up looking the same—like carbon copies or plastic dolls. But if a plastic doll can also be flawless, what separates it from a human being?
True beauty lies in authenticity. It’s about being confident in your own skin and embracing your natural features, not erasing them to match an impossible ideal. When we try to chase perfection, we lose the essence of what makes us us.
“You were born an original. Don’t die a copy.” – John Mason
Makeup is a wonderful art form. It enhances, it expresses, it empowers. But for many, it has become more of a mask than a mirror. Day after day, people layer on foundation, concealer, and contour—not because they enjoy it, but because they’re afraid of being seen without it.
The harsh truth is that many of us are hiding, not highlighting. This isn’t to say makeup is wrong. But when it becomes a daily ritual born from insecurity rather than self-expression, it’s time to ask ourselves: What are we covering up?
Loving yourself as you are, is the ultimate rebellion in a world that profits from your self-doubt.
Let’s talk about fairness creams. Such products have long promoted a dangerous message: that fair skin equals beauty. Advertisements still show women becoming several shades lighter after applying a cream, as if their lives suddenly improve with their skin tone. This is not just marketing—it’s discrimination in disguise.
The subliminal message is clear: if you’re dark-skinned, you’re less attractive, less capable, and less worthy. This not only fuels colourism but also undermines the beauty and dignity of millions.
Skin tone is not a flaw to fix. It’s part of your identity.
And no cream should tell you otherwise.
There’s nothing wrong with taking care of your skin. In fact, skincare is an important aspect of overall health. But there’s a rising obsession with perfect, pore less, glass-like skin—driven by influencers and unrealistic before-and-after photos. Many skincare products promise miracles. But in reality, the drastic transformations they advertise are often exaggerated, edited, or simply unattainable. What’s more, these products are often packed with chemicals that can do more harm than any good in the long run.
Think about it: you wear makeup all day to work, come home, and then slather your face with chemicals in the name of skincare. When does your skin get to breathe? Constantly clogging your pores doesn’t nurture your skin—it suffocates it. Natural remedies—like fruit peels, aloe vera, or honey—can often be gentler and more effective. Your skin, like your body and soul, needs rest. Let it breathe.
There’s a vast difference between being pretty and being beautiful. Society often uses these terms interchangeably, but they mean very different things. Being pretty is about appearance—fleeting and dependent on trends. Being beautiful, however, is about character, heart, and soul.
You can be pretty and still lack kindness, empathy, or honesty. But a beautiful person radiates from within.
“No beauty shines brighter than that of a good heart.” – Unknown.
So, ask yourself: are you chasing prettiness, or cultivating beauty?
A beautiful soul is timeless. People may forget how your skin looked, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel. Your inner self is your truest reflection. It’s where real beauty begins and where it continues to grow.
At the end of the day, beauty products can only go so far. You can’t buy self-worth in a bottle or find confidence in a compact. True confidence comes from accepting yourself—flaws, quirks, imperfections, and all. If we continue to chase society’s ever-shifting ideals, we’ll always feel inadequate. But when we embrace ourselves wholeheartedly, we become unstoppable.
Let your skin breathe. Let your soul shine. Love the skin you’re in and the story it tells. Because the most beautiful people are not those who fit the mold—they’re the ones who break it.
The world doesn’t need more people who look perfect. It needs more people who live honestly and embrace authenticity. That is the kind of beauty that never fades. So next time you look in the mirror, don’t search for flaws. Look into your eyes and see the strength, the resilience, the uniqueness staring back at you. That is your beauty.
Be real. Be raw. Be unapologetically you. Because in a world obsessed with image, authenticity is the most beautiful thing you can wear.
