"Never dull your shine for somebody else."
Tyra Banks couldn’t have put it simpler. Answer this for me, ladies: how many of us aren’t allowing ourselves to shine to our full potential? How often do we hide and sometimes ultimately erase that natural glow we were all born with? Be honest now--I know at some point in our lives we’ve all done it. I’m surely not a saint.
Instead of embracing who we are, a lot of us try to turn ourselves into something or someone else. A co-worker just got the cutest golden brown highlights; maybe I should try changing up my hair color. All the guys gave the D-cup brunette attention last night; perhaps it’s time to upgrade the “girls"; I mean, the risks associated with implants aren’t too serious, right? If only my skin had that natural tan then I’d be gorgeous. Oh well, tanning salons every two weeks it is.
The process of “beautifying” ourselves has turned into an ugly obsession. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, $10 billion was spent on cosmetic surgeries last year; breast augmentation came in at number one. This is no surprise seeing as how females make up 91 percent of all cosmetic procedures. Don’t panic though ladies; we are not the only ones at fault. According to the Consumer Cosmetic Treatment Survey, 64 percent of males reported they would have work done if money was not an issue. Last year alone, 66,000 men had their noses reshaped; see it’s not always the Ashlee Simpsons of the world.
So I pose another question: when? When will you ever be good enough? You, with the age spots on the back of your hand. You, with the stretch marks on your hips from the beautiful lives you brought into this world. And you, with the love handles you try to hide underneath your arms and around your waist. When will you, exactly the way you are, be acceptable?
Don’t get me wrong; there is nothing wrong with wanting to better ourselves. It’s when this betterment gets clouded by feelings of inferiority, low self-worth, and draining confidence that we find ourselves in a sticky situation. Yes, we can put on foundation, but showing off our natural skin tone is okay too. And hair extensions can turn you into a different person, but it’s alright to be au naturel no matter how long or short that is.
We are all uniquely designed; no two people are alike. It’s time we stop adding and taking away from not only from our physical selves, but who we are overall. Who you are is perfectly fine, no more no less. Let’s embrace ourselves, ladies; let’s shine.
Shala Marks is a summer intern with EmpowHER. She has a passion for writing and women's issues. She hopes to be an inspiring author and virtuous woman one day.