Many young girls throughout the world dread Sunday night, despite being referred to as a day for “beauty resets.” Last year, I used to do my eyelashes, pluck and tint my eyebrows, and follow a whole shower hygiene routine to achieve a striking appearance. In the morning, many alarms were set for the early hours to make sure I had sufficient time to get ready in the morning.
Considering my lack of sleep, it was difficult to wake up the following morning. I was convinced that I needed to wear makeup to present myself in a certain way, for my own sake, and for how others perceived me. On the outside, I seemed confident, but I was suffering from a growing pile of insecurities.
I was pleased with what I saw when I glanced in the mirror in the morning. Yet, I still couldn’t understand why putting so much emphasis on my physical appearance hadn’t fulfilled the emptiness I was experiencing. I tricked myself into believing that I could maintain my physical appearance, but in reality, I was attempting to fit into social standards.
The rise of social media filters and editing has promoted an airbrushed aesthetic, symbolized by small noses, large eyes, and full lips. Due to the concept of the “Instagram face,” many women appear to have a similar look, and social media has rewired our brains to desire to look a certain way. Faces that are considered “diverse” are criticized, and as a result, I would get insecure and attempt to alter my appearance.
Every time someone is scrolling through social media and sees a face that is amusing to them, the brain gets a little dopamine spike. The brain creates a shortcut if it constantly sees the same face. In this case, seeing similar attractive faces serves as a shortcut to what beauty looks like for some people.
Beauty standards have become a global issue that convinces people to conform to a specific look, like having a slim waist, clear skin, full lips, and a curvaceous body. According to ScienceDirect, the primary problem that comes with cosmetic procedures being so popular is their influence on women to alter their appearances with surgery, instead of embracing themselves.
Despite my efforts to enhance my physical appearance without resorting to cosmetic procedures, I still experience moments of dissatisfaction. However, over time, I have learned to embrace my insecurities and view them as an opportunity for self-improvement, both physically and internally.
During the times when I’m not feeling my best, I remind myself that possessing these feelings is normal. Social media often makes it hard to see my worth, but I am more than just a reflection in my mirror. In my smile and my features, I carry generations of beauty and strength, and quickly note that hiding my insecurities only hides my true identity. Those who came before me shape my appearance, and that is something to be proud of.
