Instagram<\/a>, where I take the opportunity to physically talk to those of you who check in, and I always have a good time! During one such recent session, I remember someone asking me if I’d consider using clinical strength skincare treatment products from a dermatologist or doctor. My answer was that I would not.<\/p>\nI have nothing against seeing dermatologists or skin doctors. If I had a problem, I would see them. I had contact dermatitis on my hands once, and I saw a doctor for that. But if it was just purely for aesthetics, i.e. how I look,\u00a0and not a medical condition that needs treating, I am less inclined to. The reason you see, is because I know I’m imperfect, and I don’t actively seek perfection.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I realize it’s a a strange thing to say, because we are told that we should strive for perfection in various aspects of our lives. But what if I just want to be better than average, but not necessarily perfect?<\/p>\n
What if I acknowledge that I have imperfect skin – large pores, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone just to name a few that most of us also suffer from – but accept that it otherwise, is still better than average, and that it’s fine for my age?<\/p>\n
It seems that as a beauty blogger, I am less allowed to be imperfect, as compared to the next woman. Today marks 11 years<\/strong> I’ve been blogging about beauty, and the pressure to be perfect is even stronger now than it ever was before. But why does it have to be so?<\/p>\nI do notice the raised brows, when people I meet find out I’m a beauty blogger. You see, the image of a beauty blogger is now so entrenched in people’s minds as someone who is model material, young, with long hair, beautiful skin, and immaculate, almost airbrushed makeup.<\/p>\n
It’s now been 11 years, and I am nowhere near meeting any of those perceived ideals LOL! \ud83d\ude00 If anything, I just get older (if not wiser) in that time haha \ud83d\ude00<\/p>\n
As a beauty blogger, I am imperfect in so many ways!<\/p>\n
\nI don’t wear mascara at all and barely any eyeliner<\/li>\n I still have not mastered the cat-eye flick<\/li>\n I don’t style my hair – it is quite literally a wash-and-go affair<\/li>\n I have no idea what a cut-crease is nor how I could achieve it<\/li>\n I only know how to bake in an oven, not my face<\/li>\n I cannot contour my face to save my life!<\/li>\n I do not have a porcelain complexion<\/li>\n I have hyperpigmentation and large pores that often shows up in pictures and in real life<\/li>\n I only have very rudimentary makeup skills<\/li>\n I still struggle to apply eyeshadow properly<\/li>\n I have eye trunks! (most people only have bags)<\/li>\n I dislike having my photos taken<\/li>\n I don’t wear an inch-thick of makeup despite my skin imperfections<\/li>\n I struggle to wear false lashes<\/li>\n I don’t have an instagram-worthy house filled with pretty spots, marble and bright light<\/li>\n I don’t have an instagram husband\/boyfriend\/friend\/cat\/dog<\/li>\n I don’t keep up with all the newest releases from all brands<\/li>\n I don’t use MAC Cosmetics LOL!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nBut before you think I’m being hard on myself, know that I’m perfectly fine with it all \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n
I don’t think I’ve projected an image of perfection, and that’s something I try not to do. We are all imperfect in our own little ways. Blogs and social media have compelled us to curate a life that looks visibly perfect, and I think that puts a lot of undue pressure on people. We all want that perfect lifestyle, because it looks, well, perfect.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
No photographer, no problem! Nothing a tripod and manically smiling to yourself can’t fix<\/em><\/p>\nBut I think we should be thankful for what we have, and that we are able to indulge in our love for beauty. It doesn’t have to be the conventional view of how beauty should be enjoyed, or what we should be doing. A room full of makeup is not the norm. A cupboard of skincare that expires is not the norm. Drinking Starbucks everyday is not the norm. Oh wait, strike that, it is for some haha \ud83d\ude00<\/p>\n
You see, if I were perfect, I don’t think there would be much use in my blogging any further. What could I hope to share, if I have already achieved perfection? If I had clear, glowing, unlined, beautiful skin, I’d probably drop all my makeup. Why cover all that perfection?<\/p>\n
If I had crazy makeup skills, able to juggle 5 eyeshadow colours, eyeliner, mascara AND contour my face, I wouldn’t blog either. I’d have no time to LOL \ud83d\ude00<\/p>\n
I think therefore, that as bloggers, and especially so as bloggers, we should be allowed to be imperfect. We should be allowed to learn how to be a better version of ourselves, but not necessarily a more perfect version.<\/p>\n
I love my skincare, because despite my entrenched imperfections, my skin condition is still better than average, for my age. I don’t strive to look forever 20 because I’m quite comfortable with my age and in fact am happier where I am today. I love makeup because it helps me look and feel a little better about myself. I feel that age is an important consideration as well. We are all viewing each other from different points in our lives. The life I led and lead is not the same as yours, and I may have time and indulgence to enjoy things others can’t. Never compare yourselves to others, and never seek perfection in others, only in yourself.<\/p>\n
Today, My Women Stuff turns 11 and I embrace this new milestone and its challenges with open arms. I have not come half as far, nor have I grown my audience as quickly as many of my contemporaries have. But I am thankful and grateful for each and every one of you, for continuing to read and offering your support in your many little ways. I’m always more than a little stunned to meet a reader in the wild (as it were), sometimes in the most unexpected places (work related environments are most awkward lol!) but I’m always grateful for the support.<\/p>\n
Thank you, to those of you who read and still read My Women Stuff, and who accept that I am imperfect by beauty blogger standards \ud83d\ude42 I blog for myself, as I’ve said before. But I have since learned that some of my struggles are yours too, and if what I blog about can help you, it’s worth all of it \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n
Thank you for 11 imperfectly perfect years \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n
xoxo<\/p>\n
Paris B<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I occasionally go ‘live’ on Instagram, where I take the opportunity to physically talk to those of you who check in, and I always have a good time! During one such recent session, I remember someone asking me if I’d consider using clinical strength skincare treatment products from a dermatologist or doctor. My answer was<\/p>\n
Continue Reading<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18449,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[53,21],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n11 years : I'm a Beauty Blogger and I'm imperfect - My Women Stuff<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n