Loving Your Skin: Are Freckles A Sign of Beauty?

The skin is the largest organ of the body and one of the most sensitive subjects to talk about. Intuitive issues such as confidence or the lack of it, self esteem and self image do emanate from how people feel about their skin colour, skin type or a certain type of skin condition they may have.

Loving Your Skin: A Case Study
Some time ago, I came across Brock Elbank's project on freckles which I found really interesting. Elbank, a British photographer, launched his project in 2012 whilst in Sydney Australia. He attended a soccer match and asked to take a picture of his friend’s freckled son, Eddie. His portraits have now become viral but the message has not been lost in the frenzy!

What are Freckles? 

Freckles sit on the top layer of our skin which is called the epidermis. They could be said to be an abnormal collection of melanin pigment, packaged in a different way than a normal melanin pigment is packaged as in dark skin.  Melanin is a substance that gives our hair and skin its natural colour. Simply explained, the more melanin a person has, the darker their skin will be. 

Freckles, particularly common in people with fair skin are flat, tanned circular spots typically the size of the head of a common nail and are commonly found on the face. They can also be found on the neck, shoulders, chest, arms and back. Sometimes having freckles is just hereditary. People with red hair and green eyes are said to be prone to this skin condition. 

Loving Your Skin Can Be Tough
Where Is the Beauty in Having Spots? This, no doubt, is a tough question to answer. I'm a woman with even, dark skin so I have no idea of what it feels like to be freckled. However, when I write from the position of being a skin care specialist and beauty consultant, then I have some understanding. 

Due to the work I do, I have seen, first-hand, how people feel about their skin especially when they have a serious skin condition. I believe, having freckles is not dissimilar to the feelings of low self-image and low self-esteem experienced by some of my clients. Infact, Elbank did mention that "Ninety-nine percent of the people documented so far have struggled with their freckles, felt different, alienated. Many received teasing, bullying and verbal abuse". (Source: www.Today.com)

The First Step to Loving Your Skin 

Self Acceptance is the first step to loving your skin and it starts from within. Indeed, Elbank did mention (in the same article) that many of the people he photographed who hated their freckles as a child, have now found peace to embrace the skin their in, as they've grown older. This is not an easy decision.

However, the reason why I love Brock Elbank's project is the fact that it looks at beauty from a different angle. "Every human has beauty in their appearance in some shape or form," he told Today.com via email.

This leaves me to say that beauty is unique. Beauty is different and there is some beauty in having spots. It's a tough one!

The Other Side of Love

If you are really struggling to accept your freckles, I will suggest you speak to a psychologist or counselor or see a skin therapist. There are some things you can do to lessen the appearance of freckles such as laser treatment. 

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Radiance and love,

Wumi

One Beauty Trend To Love and To Hate

When looking through Youtube for some beauty tips to help with both my personal and business life, I have noticed a beauty trend. One which I really like but also, completely dislike - Celebrity look alike tutorials.

Here are just some of the few, I have come across in my search for personal beauty care and current beauty trends. 

• Makeup look like Taylor Swift
• Makeup look like Selena Gomez
• Makeup look like Beyonce
• Makeup look like Rihanna
• Makeup look like Angelina Jolie

The Positive: The Love

It's great to get inspiration from celebrities and see what a transformation makeup can bring. After all, who does not want to look like the gorgeous Beyonce, the glamorous Rihanna or the trendy Selena Gomez!

The Negative: The Hate

This beauty trend seems to becoming obsessive and is simply not encouraging young women to embrace their own natural beauty. The danger here is that it can encourage young women to think that they are not cool enough, gorgeous enough or simply beautiful enough until they've made their makeup look like that of a celebrity. 

Finding The Balance

There is nothing wrong in being inspired by other people: what they wear, their makeup, lifestyle or indeed their beauty. All I am saying is that while doing that, do let your own beauty shine through too.

I felt a strong sense of pent-up emotion, the first time I watched this video: Lupita Nyongo's Speech on Black Beauty Essence. The video really hit a chord on the subject of beauty being unique and personal. Lupita in her soft, spoken voice speaks about her experience of when she did not feel comfortable with her own beauty, particularly the colour of her skin. But that is all history now. Having been blessed to have a mother who was a source of encouragement, Lupita finally made the mind shift and is doing so well as an actor and director.

Look, Learn And Still Be You
Whether people tell you or not: Woman, You are Beautiful In Your Own Special Way. Please remember that!

Hoping that you'll rock your own personal beauty with authenticity to let yourself shine, even with an inspired look from a celebrity or otherwise!

Radiance and Love,

Wumi

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