Ours is a culture obsessed with perfection. From magazine covers to our television screens, standards of beauty circulate frequently and promulgate harsh concepts and images. Women of ethnic groups are especially impacted by Westernized beauty standards. This results in negative body image among women of color, prompting psychological, social, and cultural implications.
Western culture rarely highlights diversity in skin. Further, discussions on skin conditions are often tuned out. Beat Bar Beauty’s Beauty Stain Project hopes to combat negative body image among people who suffer from visible skin conditions and work to empower women.
Beat Bar Beauty’s co-founder Ramona Selvarajah was featured in An About Face feature by Innertia Project. Ramona points out how liberating it was to remove her makeup and as she spoke, she was absolutely radiant. She describes her reaction to the symptoms of vitiligo and how her journey impacted her life experience since she was diagnosed in 2013. Ramona addresses what it means to be beautiful in a culture obsessed with beauty.
What does beauty mean to you?
Beauty to me means being comfortable in your own skin, and letting all your imperfections become your everyday “glow”. Your character, feelings, emotions, and abilities should feel empowering and that should exude through your skin.
Has your definition of beauty changed since you were diagnosed with vitiligo?
My definition of beauty has tremendously changed over the years. I realized it was more about who I was, and who I was surrounding myself with to make myself a better person. I realized pre-diagnosis I took vanity way too seriously rather than considering what was really important. I took for granted who I was and what I should work on and worried more about my looks, and appearances.
How can the media work to accommodate diverse beauty?
We live in a society where the media picks and dissects every little thing about a person. Instead of humiliating and making someone feel bad about themselves, the media should try to embrace all types of beauty and bring more light to skin disorders and imperfections.
How does your experience help to empower women of color?
I want women of color to embrace their skin, their color, and their flaws. We live in a world where we have always had to prove something because of our skin color, when really it should always be constantly celebrated, empowered, and inspired. I embrace my spots because they make me who I am. Every spot has taught me something about myself that I have had to accept and grow from.
What makes you fearless?
I wouldn’t say I'm fearless all the way. Im still growing and learning. I will say that I am much more braver and confident in my actions, words, spirit and beauty. I am much more comfortable in my reactions, and more proud of who I am becoming.
Visit the Beauty Stain Project to learn more about our mission.
