Celebrities defying beauty standards

We often admire the effortlessly fresh and glowing skin of models and actresses. Having flawless skin and looking gorgeous is part of their job description and with hectic routines and on-the-go lifestyles, celebrities are under constant pressure to look good all the time. What many people tend to overlook is the fact that celebrities are normal people and, just like anyone of us, they also deal with monthly hormonal breakouts, acne issues and various other skin problems. Moreover, it takes more courage for stars to open up about having flaws, their constant struggles with the flaws and the often reinforced insecurity of not having flawless skin.

Here are four celebrities who have not only refuted the idea of ‘perfect’ beauty standards but are encouraging others to embrace themselves as they are.

Hania Aamir

Actress Hania Aamir, who is currently appearing in drama serial Ana, recently posted her pictures on social media and penned a heartfelt note about her struggles with acne and shared that she had gotten used to having less than perfect skin. “But the journey I have been on for a couple of months has been quite a painful one,” she wrote adding that her acne became quite bad some time back. “Nothing seemed to fix my skin and I had nights AND days of crying.

Feeling insecure. Anxiety. Makeup wouldn’t help. I was a mess but I went through it and got out of it too.”

But then she questioned herself, “Why is my skin defining me? Who has made these beauty standards that we always feel the need to match? The society? Clear skin is beauty?”

Hania Aamir further went on to say that one shouldn’t feel the pressure of achieving ridiculous societal beauty standards. “Beauty is within and anybody who makes you feel small because of what you LOOK like shouldn’t be around you! Being a celebrity does not mean perfection; it only means we have chosen a profession that makes us and our lives public but certainly not that we do not go through issues in life. Perfection is not what we should be seeking, being comfortable in our own skin is the key. I am struggling but my skin DOES NOT define me.”

Mehwish Hayat

Mehwish Hayat, who was honoured with Tamgha-e-Imtiaz in March, is one of the most sought after actresses of Pakistan. Having appeared in Nabeel Qureshi and Fizza Ali Meerza’s social satire Load Wedding last year, Mehwish took to social media and urged everyone to embrace their beauty. “Flawsome is awesome,” she wrote on her official Instagram handle. The actress also shared that every one battles with skin problems. “Away from the studio lights, the cameras and the glamorous makeup, we all battle with the same skin problems and insecurities as any other girl. Let’s embrace it - it’s called being a woman,” she added.

The actress has been very outspoken for quite some time and believes in raising her voice against issues that she feels strongly about.

Eman Suleman

Fashion models are almost always in the limelight. Eman Suleman, who frequently speaks up about social issues including body shaming, recently took to social media and raised her voice on what a great relief it was to not have to look perfect all the time. “There’s a great sense of relief in not wanting to achieve perfection all the time, in not wanting to present perfection all time. We are all hideously handsome, in our own way,” she shared on her Instagram handle.

“What I’ve said above does not mean I don’t strive for it. I wouldn’t say perfection... Perfection, is after all, perilous. Perhaps, a healthier looking face. A one toned skin that doesn’t look like an NCA student’s paint palette. My relationship with my skin is quite problematic; I admit I am to blame. I am quite careless; I think I need to be gentler. But this does not mean that my skin isn’t also to blame, it’s a bit odd, you see.”

Hira Tareen

Model and actress Hira Tareen is the latest high profile individual to join the list. She shared that Hania Aamir’s courage of showing her acne issues has inspired her to speak up against the typical beauty standards and show her real self to the world. “This is one bandwagon I don’t mind riding because the message is powerful and needed now more than ever. In a world where people are suffering from anxiety and depression, trying to measure up their lives and looks to influencers and celebrities on social media, I present you the #realme. Untamed frizzy hair, untamed brows, zero makeup, zero filters, full of flaws, asymmetry, blemishes, discoloration, eye bags, etc,” wrote Hira, adding that each line and blemish on her face represents her journey and experiences as a human full of ups and downs.

“Makeup for me is a form of art, a hobby, and a great way to feel put together and groomed. Not to conceal who I am underneath the layers. Makeup makes women feel good because it’s fun but we can’t hide underneath it our whole lives,” she said urging everyone to stop once in a while and appreciate yourself as you are. “It’s the most empowering feeling in the world.”