Despite wanting to fit into modern beauty standards, women are still judged for undergoing beauty procedures. Here’s why there should be no shame.
The modern world’s standards of beauty can be a strange thing. We’re all about natural beauty and being yourself, but there are still people who are quick to judge those who don’t seem to put any effort into looking presentable. Personally, I think beauty should glow from within and just radiate through the way you interact with people.
However, there are still some ladies who want to appear perfectly polished and put together without the judgment that comes with putting in some effort *and in some cases, an endurance for pain*. There’s really nothing wrong with trying to conceal flaws or trying to highlight your best features. [Read: 12 things guys like in girls other than her appearance]
What do women do to feel beautiful?
So for those of you who feel alone and ashamed of the things you do for beauty, believe us when we say you’re not alone. There are lots of things women do for the sake of beauty that they’re simply not willing to share with everyone. As a society, the best thing we can do is just accept that there are women who willingly choose to do these things. After all, if it’s what floats your boat, just go for it!
#1 Botox and surgery. It’s no surprise that some celebrities choose to go under the knife or needle just to look a little bit younger and a little bit more beautiful. You’ve got celebrities who get nose jobs, boob jobs, liposuction, face lifts and all the other things on a surgeon’s menu. Now that we’re more open to these kinds of procedures, even regular non-celebrities choose to undergo them.
The reason we just don’t want to say out loud that we’ve had some work done is because of the shame of admitting that we’re willing to spend on these procedures. But to be perfectly honest, if you paid a ton of money for the perfect pair of breasts or your wrinkle-free face, why not just be proud of the fact that you were able to endure the pain to make you love the way you look? [Read: 15 ways to stay beautiful at any age]
#2 Hiding dirty hair in creative ways. Washing your hair can be a pretty tedious task, and it’s not always an option when you’re in a hurry to get out the door. The thing about it is that there are lots of ways women are able to conceal the fact that they haven’t washed their hair in days. One of the simplest tricks is using dry shampoo to absorb the grease and make the hair look voluminously flawless.
For those who aren’t into the whole dry shampoo movement, they resort to hairstyles that are perfect for unwashed hair. Turbans, sock buns, messy ponytails and Amy Winehouse-inspired vintage hairstyles are just some of the styles you can try out.
#3 Spending hundreds of dollars on beauty products. Investing in beauty products can certainly leave a huge dent in your wallet. But we must admit, many of these expensive products actually do the trick a hundred times better than their cheaper drugstore counterparts.
And it’s not just makeup that costs a lot of money. Many skincare products like face washes, serums, moisturizers, exfoliating scrubs and sun blocks also cost their fair share of hard earned cash.
Some women may be lucky enough to find a cheaper product that works for their skin. But if you’ve got a skin concern that only this one $100 product can address, you have every right to spend your money on it. [Read: 18 ways to look pretty and catch his eye]
#4 Slimming underwear. Not everyone is blessed with curves that the slinkiest of dresses would flatter. For those who have curves they want to keep in control, there’s always the option of wearing slimming underwear.
These undergarments can help keep your belly, your thighs and your butt from awkwardly bulging out of an otherwise flattering dress. It’s actually a small price to pay to be able to wear clothes that make you feel more confident. [Read: How to use your femininity to attract guys]
#5 Hair removal treatments. We grow hair in all sorts of strange places. It’s perfectly normal to have hair, but that doesn’t mean we wouldn’t go the extra mile to ensure that our skin is smooth and hair-free. For those who don’t feel the need to get rid of these hairs, good for you. You’re saving a lot of money and time by letting it grow out.
But for those who simply aren’t comfortable with going out and displaying a bit of fuzz on your legs, under your arms and in certain areas on your face, you always have the option of waxing, shaving or undergoing laser hair treatments. Yes, there may be pain, especially in sensitive areas like the genital region or the face, but the pain is nothing compared to that liberating feeling of having smooth hair-free skin.
#6 Uncomfortable shoes. Heels in all shapes and sizes may look absolutely stunning on your feet, but they may not always be the most comfortable footwear choice. A lot of comfy shoe wearers may be asking why you even bother with pretty shoes that pinch your feet.
The best answer? It makes you feel great on the inside. Besides, you’ll probably only be wearing them to events where you can comfortably sit down most of the time anyway. So what’s a little discomfort for a few minutes if you’ll still look fabulous for the rest of the night?
#7 Facials and microdermabrasion. Not everyone chooses to undergo these facial treatments, but those who do can testify that it’s not the most pleasant experience. So why bother doing them, if you can just wash your face instead? Actually, these treatments may sometimes be good for the skin, particularly those who are prone to acne and other skin problems.
Your face is usually the first thing people see. And if you’re not comfortable with the skin on your face, then you might start having a lot of self-esteem issues. When you come out of the clinic with radiant, glowing skin, not only will you feel the softness of your newly treated skin, but you’ll also start to feel a little more confident when it comes to putting your face out there.
#8 Hair straightening, extensions and treatments. If you’ve been plagued with bad hair days all your life, there’s no reason you shouldn’t consider getting your hair professionally done. Even if you have a gorgeous, flawless face, it can still be marred by unruly hair.
Even though a lot of these treatments cause hair damage, a lot of women still choose to have them done because they know it’s not going to be a daily routine anyway. Don’t let the naysayers tell you that you can’t touch your hair. Give it a go and you might find that it can dramatically change the way you look and the way you feel about yourself.
#9 Fake tans. Spray on tans used to be the butt of jokes back when it would leave a streaky orange Oompa Loompa-esque tinge to your skin. But these days, there are lots of spray tans that leave a very natural sheen on the skin, and they’re practically undetectable.
Instead of basking in the harmful rays of the midday sun or cooking yourself in a tanning bed, these fake tans give you the safest and easiest option. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to have that sun-kissed glow during the summer season!
[Read: Why inner beauty is more important than outer beauty]
You have every right to enhance or even modify your natural looks because it’s your own body. Just remember that your worth as a person shouldn’t be dependent on how you look on the outside. The way you look should just be part of a package where majority of it is comprised of who you are on the inside.