Jackie Mugido
True beauty is about taking pride in one’s appearance and body, but among African women who alter or modify their natural bodies and appearances, Western standards and definitions of beauty are often misunderstood. I have a different point of view.
Over the years, the family of American celebrities, the Kardashian family, have been considered beauty standards and models.
Makeup artists and fitness trainers have requested to look like a Kardashian, with a small waist, round buttocks, firm chest, flat stomach, large lips, wide cheekbones, and a jawline that is slightly smaller than the forehead and cheekbones. It’s rushing. Pointed nose and rounded facial edges.
In his book Fading Sun, David Mungoshi describes an African woman who has been blessed through her protagonist, Mary Maya. A woman’s ability to give birth to a healthy baby, the author explained, is related to her broad hips and her lustrous, round body, making her African beauty curvaceous yet Considered to be sensual. This is not what all African women should look like.
Socialite Mai TT underwent liposuction to remove fat from her stomach and flatten her belly.
Olinda Chappell is one of those women thought to be big who shocked people by posting a picture of herself looking completely different. A businesswoman and socialite, she underwent surgery to reduce her breast size and belly and she is now over 25 kg thinner.
There’s a new baby in town from the East, known as the Korean Pop (KPOP) beauty standard, where Western beauty standards for appearance prioritize having small features that contrast with Western looks. .
Being a KPOP beauty requires a small V-shaped face, fair skin, symmetrical eyebrows, a slim body, and double eyelids that create a more youthful and innocent look, which affects many young women. is giving Some people thrive to achieve this, even if it means eating one chicken breast a day, drinking water, and undergoing surgery.
Hollywood-based Zimbabwean celebrity makeup artist Jackie Maguid advises Africans to take responsibility for defining their own beauty in their own way.
“Comparing the African beauty standard with other beauty standards is highly controversial because in a perfect world, someone who maintains large features, a round face, a wide nose and beautiful chocolate features would be Because it is expected that there will be
“Unfortunately, in the world of social media and celebrity standards, we’re headed in the complete opposite direction as lights are all the rage, and pointy contoured noses, contact lenses, and highlights are all the rage. increase.
“The Western world has had a great influence on us. As an artist, I understand the reason for contouring. You don’t lose it completely,” she said.
KPOP beauty standards may be very effective in the modeling industry. Because it requires a certain look just to be the image of the brand.
Award-winning model and Miss Africa Zimbabwe reigning Ayanda Candice Sibanda says there is a perpetual feeling of inadequacy when trying to live up to these beauty standards all the time.
“The modeling industry has the traditional beauty standards of having to be tall, slim, and fair-skinned. was born: a standard of beauty incorporated into the industry.
“If you try to fit into these beauty standards, you will forever feel inadequate and forever search for the perfect body. You will be physically exhausted.
The way Africans have adopted these standards of beauty is very damaging to society. I’m here.
