They say clichés exist because they’re true – “roses are red, violets are blue, nipples are pink, and lips are too…”
Wait, what?
As a kid, my mom used to frantically scrub at my dark knees and elbows thinking they looked “dirty” and while I was raised to be proud of my Ojibwe heritage, I was constantly jealous of my blonde haired sisters.
With so many beautiful, unique cultures around the globe – isn’t it time our beauty standards look like us?
Let’s explore some of the most popular cultural beauty myths you sent through via social media and the webform:
Nude Doesn’t Mean Peach
We still have a long way to go when it comes to accepting our cultural differences, and it’s so nice to see companies like Crayola and Band-Aid stepping up to create lines for all shades of humans, but the beauty world needs to step it up.
Ever been unable to find the right shade of foundation for your skin-tone? For many people of colour it’s nearly impossible to source the right shades from big brands. Indie brands have stepped up, crafting lovely shades for specific cultural groups but wouldn’t it be nice if everyone could walk into the drug store and find exactly what they need without having to break the bank?
Not All Lips Are Pink
It’s not just the foundation market that needs an upgrade – I saw a product advertised on instagram designed to help people of colour get that perfect, pink pout. Essentially, it’s bleach that removes skin pigment leaving raw, irritated (pink) skin behind. My eyes welled up at the thought that young people around the world would even consider such drastic and potentially harmful methods to achieve “white beauty standards”.
This also goes for nipples, genitals and all other folds and cracks – skin comes in so many hues!
Women Stink, Too
When you think about it, it’s sort of comical that we haven’t come around to the idea that everyone sweats, excretes, and *ahem* poops the same way. It’s the one thing that binds us together in the human-race, regardless of age, sex & gender expression, race, culture, wealth, etc. – we’re all filthy animals (take solace in that next time someone makes you feel inadequate).
Yet, hygienic products for women’s natural bodily functions are often ignored and almost always delicately made for sensitive natures…*eye roll*
Don’t fall victim to “pink marketing” – check out Suns Out Buns Out Moisture Wicking Powder in our shop (we wanted to call it SWASS NO MORE, but it got voted out) – a Unisex formula to eliminate moisture and odour-causing bacteria from all your folds and crevices.
Hair Isn’t Always Smooth & Silky
Look through any boring old history book and the hairstyles just might surprise you…
Funky and intricate hairstyles have helped many of our cultures express individuality or status throughout time. Unfortunately for BIPOC folks, that meant European standards of beautiful hair have monopolised the media over the past century, leaving many young kids of colour to feel ugly and alone.
In Indigenous culture, hair is extremely important. An extension of the spiritual self and a signal of health and well-being, it is important to keep hair strong and protect it from anyone or thing that might do you wrong (in many Indigenous cultures hair was used in ceremony) and while the stereotypical image of a Native usually involves two long braids, there were many different styles throughout the tribes and times.
Thankfully, we’re growing wise to the bevvy of truly gorgeous hair types, colours and styles represented across the planet & it’s opened our eyes to what’s possible in the hair world.
Start with healthy, happy hair & then try a fun style on for size.
Stretch Marks and Cellulite Are Normal
No matter how many times I read this, I can’t seem to shirk that “eek” feeling I get when I see cellulite and/or stretch marks creeping out. Photoshop and crash diet culture have brainwashed us into thinking that smooth, even skin is the only acceptable option and all other “offensive” skin must be hidden.
The thing is, the planet just keeps on getting hotter and I’m not interested in a lifetime trying to figure out how to gracefully wipe sweat from my upper lip and I’m not alone. A new wave of body acceptance at all shapes and sizes has crashed upon us and people everywhere have just stopped giving any fucks about what other people think of our bodies.
Let’s go cottage cheese and tiger stripes – we’ve got a life to live.
What’s your least fave beauty myth that needs debunking? Drop it in the comments for a chance to win a $25 gift card.
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