It's time to delve deeper into the types of beauty products that are not only affecting us but also perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards. Let's start by looking at some fast facts:
1. Global beauty and personal care spending is a staggering $450 billion, indicating the massive scale of the industry.
2. Skin lightening products alone account for $8.8 billion in spending. This speaks volumes about the perpetuation of the belief that lighter skin is more desirable or superior.
3. Lace front wigs, which are often used to mimic European-like hair textures, have a market worth of $405 million, highlighting the desire to conform to Eurocentric beauty ideals.
4. The spending on 'natural' skincare products reaches $6.6 billion, showing a growing trend towards embracing natural beauty and moving away from harmful chemicals.
5. The TikTok skin lightening filter has received a staggering 5 million views, indicating the persistence of the obsession with lighter skin tones.
Despite the availability of options that support diverse beauty, there is still a significant amount of money and energy being directed towards attaining unrealistic Western beauty standards.
Now, let's take a moment to reflect on how this information relates to your own life, even if you don't wear makeup:
1. Consider the number of products you own that serve the same purpose (hydration, moisturization, plumping, firming). The beauty industry often bombards us with multiple products claiming to do similar things, leading to unnecessary consumerism and waste.
2. Examine whether your current skincare products make bold promises about transforming your appearance or if they focus on supporting your skin's health and natural functions. It's essential to question the messaging behind these products and whether they encourage unrealistic expectations.
3. Pay attention to whether any of your skincare or beauty regimens are subtly promoting the idea that you need to change or alter your natural features, such as straightening your curly hair or erasing fine lines. Embracing your natural self and appreciating your unique features should be celebrated.
By critically analyzing our own habits and choices, we can begin to challenge the beauty standards imposed upon us. It's time to redefine beauty on our own terms and celebrate diversity in all its forms.
In the next part of this blog post, we'll explore the harmful ingredients often found in beauty products and how we can make conscious choices to prioritize our health and well-being. Stay tuned!
Sharing is caring. We’d love to hear how you have shifted your internal narrative to align with your truest beauty version. Send to love@healedbody.co or mention us on @healed_body_co