Why is that we can’t just be happy with how we look? Most of us spend tons of money and time changing how we look to match more of what we think of as the “ideal.”
Unhappiness is Everywhere
It’s not just those in North America either. While many of us clamour to tanning salons or our self tanners to get a DARKER skin tone, some people with naturally darker skin do what they can to make their skin LIGHTER.
Skin Bleaching
My friend who was born in Somalia but grew up in Kenya bleaches her skin with a special product made for that purpose to give her face a lighter shine. I was discussing this with her, how crazy it is that light skinned people want to be darker while dark skinned people want to be lighter.
Risking Our Lives for Beauty
I asked about the safety of the skin bleach and she admitted that while it’s safer than regular chlorine bleach, you still have to be careful not to use too much or you can damage your skin. Tanning is of course very unhealthy too, and can cause skin cancer.
Our Culture
Of course with anything, there are exceptions. I am by no means suggesting that EVERY Caucasian wants to be darker or every person with what we consider darker skin wants to be lighter but it isn’t just my friend either. Her culture truly believes those with lighter skin are more beautiful than those with darker skin, even in their own country or culture. So since she is lighter than her sister, she is considered more beautiful.
How to Change
Fight against what society says, be proud of the skin colour you were born with, no matter how dark or light that may be. You are beautiful when you don’t pretend to be someone else, when you embrace who you ARE. Society’s beliefs about beauty will only change if every person is true to themselves.
YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL JUST THE WAY YOU ARE
*photo credit: from photoexpress.com. Do not copy.
Ivory makes of course bar soaps (Simply Ivory and Aloe) but also makes body washes (Lavender, Aloe, Waterlily and Simply Ivory) and liquid hand soap (Simply Ivory.)
