Body image. Vanity. Hair and makeup. Scales. Self worth. Confidence.
Being a woman means carrying yourself a particular way in order to be deemed beautiful, also known as worthy, by societal standards. Any woman can tell you that she has come across these thoughts about herself, or shamefully, about someone else. There is nothing wrong with individuality. We are constantly told that it is OK to be different, that skinny does not always mean beautiful, that people will love you no matter what you look like. However, that message is not driven home on a grander scale–the media, magazines, actresses cast in roles. It is hard to be a woman, and frankly, it is hard to love ourselves.
Which is why it is incredible when songs like these come out and inspire us, remind us, that everyone’s beauty is different. Stop what you are doing and lift yourself up. We couldn’t love these messages more and will put these power songs on our playlist.
Beyoncé “Pretty Hurts”
The video begins with Beyoncé prepping for a beauty pageant, her competition sucking in their stomachs to be tied up in their gowns. Ladies fighting over hair dressers, putting Vaseline on their teeth, and even slyly leaving the bathroom stall after purging their food. It is extremely powerful when Beyoncé walks onto stage for the talent portion, singing “Perfection is a disease of a nation” and “It’s the soul that needs the surgery.” Powerful message from a very influential woman.
Colbie Caillat’s “Try”
Caillat is no stranger to pumping women up in her music, but this video really took it to a new level. With a close-up on many women’s faces, Caillat sings lyrics like “You don’t have to try” as women of all sizes, races, and ages take off their makeup, their fake lashes, their weaves, and their wigs. The ultimate line: “When you’re all alone by yourself/do you like you?”
John Legend “You & I (Nobody in the World)”
This video blew up as soon as it hit the web, and I am so happy that it did. Legend’s gorgeous vocals carry us through various women getting ready for their day or night out. Including his wife Chrissy Teigen, Laverne Cox, and Tatayana Ali–women who all carry themselves with such confidence in the media–the video (and the song itself) will hopefully impact women greatly. “You fix your make up, just so/Guess you don’t know that you’re beautiful/Try on every dress that you own/You were fine in my eyes a half hour ago.”
Check the videos out. Love yourself. SHARE THIS post to remind someone else to love herself, too.
Also Read:
5 Films About Body Image Everyone Should Watch
“I’m Beautiful The Way I Am” – New NYC Campaign Targets Girls and Body Image
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