We live in a society where we are constantly measured up against images of perfection. But if we spend time on our make-up, take a selfie here and there, or enjoy or own looks, we are labelled as vain. I’m here to tell you that you’re allowed to take pride in your looks. You’re allowed to take care over your appearance.
Put On Your Best Face
When you go out to face the world, it’s fine to feel like you want to look beautiful. Why shouldn’t you take time over your hair and make-up? Looking good is your prerogative. If you can draw eyebrows on fleek, highlight your cheeks like a pro, and get those perfect waved curls with a curling iron, go ahead and do it.
Take Those Selfies
Take as many selfies as you like! Take selfies with your friends and family and your loved ones. You know why? Because hardly anyone takes pictures of one another anymore. When it’s all about the selfie, if you aren’t taking them, you aren’t being recorded. So when you look great, take a snap – it’s the only source you will have for those family albums when you’re older and want to look back.
Wear What Makes You Feel Good
When you look good, you often feel good. So yes, sister, go ahead and put on those leopard-print boots. Wear your tight little black dress. Put on your favourite jewellery. Wear your special lingerie even if no one is going to see it. Because you deserve to feel good, and confident in yourself, and sexy.
Look After Your Skin
Have you ever been told that you are too vain for using facial creams or doing face masks? Guess what – the same people who judge you now are going to be the ones begging for your secret in 20 years when you look 10 years younger than they do. You only get one skin, and it’s yours for life, so what’s vain about looking after it?
Surgery Is Fine Too
If you don’t like something about yourself and it gets you down, you should change it. That’s a fact of life I’m going to stand behind. It doesn’t matter whether it’s an aspect of your personality, your haircut, an old tattoo, or those first wrinkles. One of my best friends got a face lift and the change I saw in her confidence was amazing, just make sure to do your research first on what you will be undergoing. Anyone who judges you for trying to be your best self clearly doesn’t have your mental health or self-esteem in mind.
Be Happy, No Matter What
While it’s great to look good, and it can give you a real mood boost, it’s not the be-all and end-all. You could be recovering from third-degree burns over your entire body and still be a beautiful person on the inside who has the power to be happy. Above everything, make yourself happy. One day you might lose your looks with age, but that doesn’t mean your life is over – because your appearance should be the icing on the cake of your beautiful soul.
If you’re accused of being vain, brush it off. It’s okay to want to look good. It’s okay to want to feel good. And if you can get some happiness from your appearance, then take it with both hands.