Yeah, Your Pretty But... What Do You Really Look Like?

My disclaimer for this entry is: I'm all for a high self-esteem, so whatever it takes for you to look good, I support it. Like TLC expressed in Unpretty.

You can buy your hair if it wont grow
You can fix your nose if he says so
You can buy all the make-up that mac can make
But if you cant look inside you
Find out who am i, too
Be in a position to make me feel so damn unpretty.

In today's society, I'm noticing that more women are concealing their true beauty with artificial imported products, especially my African descent queens. Instead of admiring naturally beautiful women, they're choosing to follow a video vixens footsteps. Typical vixens are basked in flawlessly done Mac Makeup, Grade A 'Yaki' (weave), and other tweaks are among the process of creating the look of the "perfect woman" or every man's "dream girl. But creating that look is not only temporary but it takes a lot of time, it requires the help of a professional stylist and make-up artist. If a woman can accomplish the look of a video vixen on her own then I applaud that. But, this shouldn't be an every day look. Maybe on a night out with your girls, you want to look like you just stepped off a runway. But is that process really necessary for your 8 a.m. class? Seriously, who are you trying to impress that bad? And what bothers me the most is the fact that these females are the ones who call themselves the "baddest", the most conceited of the bunch.

I don't know if they've gotten the memo but men love a naturally beautiful woman. One who they can run their fingers through their hair and not having to worry about his finger nail getting caught into your glued in tracks. Or one who they cuddle with and not have to worry about your eyeshadow or concealer getting onto his shirt. Long hair does not equal beauty. Concealer does not equal flawless skin. Instead purchasing that girl's hair from New Delhi, why not try a new look with your natural hair? Get a new cut, add some color, allow your hair to BREATHE and it will grow! And please, please, stop applying gel to your hairline to smooth down your naturally curly hair so it will look like your Yaki. In a few years your hairline will look like this. Sorry Naomi but that's unacceptable. And instead of applying all that concealer that's clogging your pores, and most likely isn't the right hue of your skin, invest in Proactive. Don't hide your flaws, work on improving them! When you find the man of the dreams, he might love you for who you are but will you love yourself? Your going to be waking up to him every morning, flaws and all, you should feel the most beautiful in the morning, I know I do.

Ladies, love your true self. We come in different shapes, sizes, skin tones, hair textures but our commonality is we all have flaws. Don't let any outside forces depict what you should look like, be who you want to be but think long-term.