Disclaimer:
I am by no means bashing a particular brand. Just because I mention a brand does not mean I am implying that as a whole, they are bad. I am simply mentioning a particular product or advertisement to share how sometimes things can become so “simple” that we no longer see how it can affect us subconsciously.
The other day I watched a video of a girl whose family I follow on Youtube. She opened a toy named “FailFix Doll” to promote. The objection of this doll is to help fix her beauty fail. Before the transformation begins the doll looks very sad. But, the doll is happy after the transformation.
Some can think that I’m looking into it but, when I saw this, I was very confused and saddened. I’m sure to most people it’s just a simple innocent toy for girls to makeover and to have fun with. But I saw an underlying message that I wished every woman saw. An underlining message that says, to be happy and to feel good I have to have make-up or look a certain way. And sadly we think children don’t pick up on these subtle things but in reality, subconsciously they learn so much from the toys they play with.
We have to remember that just because it comes beautifully packaged and looks friendly does not mean the message behind it is pure. Toys aren’t the only thing that comes beautifully packaged, so do commercials, magazines, shows, etc.
The more aware I become of these situations the more alert I become too. We try to tell young girls and women in general, that we are beautiful despite our flaws, despite wearing any make-up. That even though we don’t look like that certain Hollywood star or wear a certain size, we are all beautiful in our own way. Yet, we entertain things that speak the complete opposite.
We say, “You are beautiful without make-up” but then girls don’t want to leave the house or take a photo without it on. We say “You are beautiful just the way you are” but then young girls play with a doll called Fail Fix in which the name itself promotes a fail and a fix!
Girls grow up in a society now where their value is so based on the woman in a magazine or tv show. A society where Hollywood promotes being yourself and loving you for you but on the flip side supports and promotes figures who showcase products that alter who you are.
The waist trainer sold at Skims by Kim K even states in the description, ” This seamless sculpt waist trainer is a wardrobe essential for shaping your waist and helping you achieve your ideal silhouette.”
My discomfort is not in the brand. I can not judge a brand solely on one product. This particular product and words of advertisement are what brings me discomfort. Words that women read and all it does is subconsciously teach us that our figure is not good enough. One moment every figure is beautiful but then you read words like “ideal”.
What is even ideal?
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the definition of ideal is,
(adj.) 1: satisfying one’s conception of what is perfect; most suitable.
2: existing only in the imagination; desirable or perfect but not likely to become a reality.
AND
(noun) 1: a person or thing regarded as perfect
How contradicting is that?
How can we say that there is no such thing as a perfect body, or one size fits all, and no one figure is perfect, and then use words like “ideal” to promote something of this context? Perfection doesn’t even exist and beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. The world’s definition of “ideal” is constantly changing but we can’t allow ourselves to become slaves to this world’s perfection. If so, we will always be playing catch up, changing ourselves, and never be truly in love with who God made us.
Psalms 139:14 says, ” I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”
If you actually look at similar words of fearfully, you will find,
Remarkably,
Extraordinary,
Tremendously,
Fantastically,
Powerful,
Mighty.
What this world adds in there, is “to achieve perfection, to be suitable, and desirable.”
WE ALREADY ARE!
Don’t misunderstand me. I am not saying I don’t support working on making you a better you. Getting in shape, taking care of your body, eating better, etc. I am saying, there is a thin line between strengthening you vs. changing you.
You can be inspired by another’s style, workout routine, or lifestyle but it does not matter how close to a T you follow it. You will never look like or become that person. It doesn’t even matter if you are wearing the same exact outfit, it will more than likely look different on you because your body type is different.
Why? Because you are different! You are made with different DNA, chromosomes, ancestry, all those things that add up. That does not mean you can’t admire someone else’s beauty, just don’t forget to admire your own.
The other thing that I notice in today’s society is how they want to celebrate individualism but yet the majority of brands still showcase one type of figure the most of the time. For example, Victoria’s Secret. They are slowly making improvements but they are still further behind than most. I remember growing up and seeing those pictures in the mall asking myself, “That’s how I have to look to be beautiful?” As I have gotten older I have learned that is not at all true!
It’s refreshing to see brands like Aerie and Target, that are stepping out, changing the game for women. They are promoting natural beauty! Stretch marks and all. Actually, I even noticed SKIMS doing the same. These brands are breaking the stigma and using women of all shapes and sizes to model apparel. I am loving it! It allows women to shop and for once actually be able to visualize themselves, to have a better idea if it will complement their body type!
Rupi Kaur wrote,
“What is the greatest lesson a woman should learn? That since day one. She’s already had everything she needs within herself. It’s the world that convinced her, she did not.”
Learning to love your body type does not mean that you claim you are perfect. It simply means that you love yourself despite what society claims as “ideal”. It means that even if you try something that looks amazing on one girl but doesn’t work for you, you don’t hate your body. Instead, you’re able to say, “That particular style just doesn’t flatter my figure.” It’s about complimenting you, not changing/altering you. It means you are okay with taking a picture before you apply your make-up because you don’t think, “I look better with my make-up on.”
Ultimately, it means you recognize that you are beautifully made. We all are, and we should be building each other up not competing and comparing. In a world where “ideals” and opinions are constantly changing, remember, who God made you, is already a beautiful thing.
Sources:
Definition for ideal: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ideal
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