‘People think that looking better means you will have a better life’: why gen Z spends so much on beauty – The Guardian

It seems like you’re providing insights into the pressures of beauty standards and the journey towards embracing one’s natural features, particularly focusing on the experiences of Black women. The narrative highlights the financial, emotional, and social challenges that come with adhering to societal beauty norms, as well as the empowerment felt by those who choose to reject these norms in favor of self-acceptance and authenticity.

The passage emphasizes the importance of community support in navigating these issues, as seen through Nifemi Kesinro’s experience with her initiative, Candid Conversations about our Curls. This community provides a space for Black women to share their struggles and triumphs related to beauty standards and hair care, offering both practical advice and emotional encouragement.

The text also touches upon the broader implications of these beauty norms, suggesting that they have become an ethical imperative in society, where the pursuit of a certain aesthetic is equated with personal and professional success. This raises ethical questions about the impact of such standards on individuals’ well-being and self-worth.

Overall, the message conveyed is one of empowerment, advocating for individual choice and the right to define one’s own beauty without the pressure to conform to unrealistic or externally dictated standards. It encourages a shift towards self-acceptance and away from the competitive and often costly pursuit of an ideal that is not attainable by everyone equally.

In summary, the text is a call for a more inclusive and accepting view of beauty, where diversity is celebrated rather than homogenized, and where individuals are supported in their journey to love and accept themselves as they are. It’s a reminder that beauty comes in many forms and that personal happiness and confidence are not directly tied to adhering to societal norms.