by Keeshler Pittman

Created on: April 16, 2009

I believe women try for the unrealistic due to the media's perception of beauty. We live in one of the most vain and superficial countries in the world. Thin and blond is the Caucasian ideal for beauty. Voluptuous and half-naked is the African American ideal of beauty. Only people with morals and values see beyond this insanity. So many young girls strive to be what they believe society perceives as beautiful.

I personally remember growing up believing that I was not pretty. My hair was thick and coarse. My hips were wide. My lips were somewhat big. My thighs were definitely big. How could I possibly be beautiful? When I look at pictures of myself as a child, I realize that I was extremely beautiful. I was a unique beauty.

True beauty actually comes from within. Confidence is beauty. Intelligence is beauty. Wisdom is beauty. Kindness is beauty. Society tells us that unnatural bra cup size is beauty. Society tells us that one hundredpounds or less is beauty. Society tells us that what is desirable to the patrons of strip clubs is beauty. Such beauty is not truly valuable. It can be lucrative, but not truly valuable. Such beauty can attract men, temporarily. Looking good can help you get a good man. However, it will not guarantee that he will not leave. Some men tend to trade in women for newer models.

Most runway models and actresses do not wake up gorgeous. The majority have full time make-up artists. They also have full time wardrobe people. They have spanx to slim them. They have a gift for television and print called airbrushing. If regular women had access to such, we would look like a million bucks too. Unless you have the finances to acquire their arsenal, don't try to be like them. You will go broke. Easily.

I believe that most women can survive with a few beauty basics. Two lip-liners, lip gloss, a good liquid to powder foundation, a good moisturizer, mascara, cream blush, and eyeshadow. These items are sufficient for any occasion. If you use foundation, you also need a good cleanser. I personally do not use foundation. My complexion is fairly clear. There are very few women I have seen who actually need foundation. Tinted moisturizer works almost as well as foundation. It can be set with pressed powder.

Young girls watch women they know. They often imitate what they see. I try to be a role model for my daughter. I do not go crazy if I don't have the perfect outfit. I very rarely wear make-up. I do not speak negatively about myself. I teach her the importance of believing in herself and loving others. I want her to know what true beauty really is. True beauty cannot be bought. It is a gift that is created within that becomes external.

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