The Sunday News
Rutendo Chidawanyika
BEING beautiful, hot or pretty is how every women wants to be referred to. Looking attractive makes you feel good about yourself, it boosts confidence and self-esteem. Women will do almost anything to look beautiful, spend loads of money on beauty products to improve their looks. Society seems depict what beauty should be, having a certain complexion or body will determine if you are hot or not.
Year after year women try different trends in order to stay relevant and look fresh. From anti-ageing creams to plastic surgery. The more money you have, the better chances of improving the way you look. Most of these beauty remedies have been around for years but they have recently become affordable and accessible. Women put themselves through so much just to be appreciated or envied by other people.
Skin lightening/bleaching
Skin bleaching products have been gaining popularity over the past years. Skin lighteners are used by both men and women, in different age groups. People go to drastic measures to get brighter skin. Social media plays a role in changing people’s perception about beauty. Celebrities bleach their skin because they can afford it. There are pills and teas that work well in changing your complexion but creams are the most common. Creams are common because they are affordable but result in skin damage. When using creams you have to be consistent or you will turn dark eventually.
I’ve seen a lot of women with light faces, then dark necks and bodies. It would make more sense to apply the cream all over your body. People feel that having whiter skin is more beautiful compared to darker skin tones. What people sometimes overlook is that the use of skin bleachers can have serious effects such as permanent skin damage (cancer).
Mshoza the South African singer has been making waves in the media but not for her music. She has had a skin bleaching procedure done. Only a few women will admit to using skin lighteners, but not everyone is born a yellow bone. Those who can afford skin bleaching may go for it, but you can still be brown and beautiful.
Tattooing (eyebrows, lips, hairline)
Some people are just never satisfied with how they look. Micro blading (eyebrow embroidery) is the latest beauty trend to hit Instagram. If you do not like your eyebrows or do not want to use an eyebrow pencil every morning you can get permanent eyebrows. You have to be sure that you choose the shape that suits you because it lasts a lifetime. From afar they look natural, it is not a onetime procedure and is quite expensive. This has to be done professionally, do not get eyebrow tattoos from just anywhere.
It is not only eyebrows being tattooed but the hairline too. Scalp micro pigmentation is tattooing fake stubble on hairline. Men are the originators of this weird trend. With age you base hair especially the hairline which is normal, so why go through the pain and expense of creating an illusion of hair?
Beauty trends are constantly changing so getting tattoos on your face is never a good idea. Some may beg to differ since they have opted for lips tattoos, adding permanent colour. You will definitely get tired of red lips day in day out. A lip liner is cheap and temporary.
Urine treatment
Apparently urine cures wounds and certain ailments as it is said to contain nutrients and antibodies. Some people believe in urine treatments due to its restorative properties. When applied topically it is believed to the clear skin of acne, eczema and even wrinkles. I do not know how true this is. (please do not try this)
Waist trainer
If you want a tiny waist without rib removal or dieting, get a waist trainer. Many celebs have been blowing up Instagram in their waist trainers by binding up their middles with these tight corsets. Waist trainers are more effective when worn during a workout session. The downfall of waist trainers is the side effects, if worn for long periods of time they can result in the intestines being damaged.
If they are worn for many hours
