Dove X Refinery29
Being plus-sized my whole life, I grew up never seeing representations of fat bodies in beauty media. That being said, I was so excited when Emily of The Best of This Life, asked me to be a part of the I SEE YOU partnership with Dove and Refinery29.
I was given a chance to share why I think diversity in beauty media is so important and how I strive to use my social platforms to help strengthen that movement. The piece written below, along with the image are featured on Emily’s blog, along with two other diverse Canadians, sharing their stories alongside mine.
How the lack of beauty diversity in the media has affected her:
“When I was a teen, I had a subscription to every magazine that a girl in the 90s could ever want. I’d flip through the pages month after month, but I never saw anyone that looked like me. As a plus-size teen, I focused on the trends I felt I could partake in. I shopped for shoes and accessories because those would always fit. I played with beauty trends and developed my makeup skills. No matter what my body size, those things made me feel like I could be like the models I saw on the pages.”
Why she paved her own way:
“As I got older, I decided that I would create what was missing. I became a fashion designer and makeup artist. I wanted to create a world of people that felt that they not only belonged but felt beautiful. I know now that my beauty has always been there. Fashion and makeup became not about covering up or mimicking, but rather about creating a sense of beauty and style for myself. I strive to bring that to the work I create. Every time I receive a message relating to my level of personal confidence – that’s my teen self, living her truth. I live and create, hoping someone else will see me showing up and feel they can too.”
Her vision for the future of beauty diversity in the media:
“Beauty media has come a long way, but the work is not over until everyone can feel seen. When you see yourself represented in the media, it reinforces your self-esteem and includes you in the narrative.”