Should Beauty Be Painful?

As a woman, I often find myself pondering this very question: "Does beauty really need to be painful?" Growing up in a typical Nigerian household, there were certain rites of passage that seemed to come with a side order of discomfort. I vividly remember the first time I got my hair retouched – the burns on my scalp stung so intensely, yet it was seen as a normal part of the process. And let's not forget those festive season braids, tightly woven masterpieces that left my scalp tender for days on end. It's almost as if the notion that beauty comes with a certain level of pain had been quietly woven into the fabric of our lives from a young age.

Now, as an adult, I can't help but raise an eyebrow at some of our beauty treatments, especially when they involve a certain degree of discomfort. Life is already brimming with its own set of challenges, so why willingly add the extra burden of physical discomfort in the name of beauty?

The truth is, the quest for beauty has often been intertwined with the idea of suffering for the sake of perfection. From the corsets of yesteryears that restricted breathing and movement to the painfully high heels that grace runways and red carpets today, it's as if we've been conditioned to believe that enduring pain is a small price to pay for looking good.

Yet, when we pause to consider this notion, it becomes clear that the equation between pain and beauty is far from balanced. Why should we subject ourselves to unnecessary discomfort when there are alternatives that prioritize our well-being and comfort? In a world that's evolving, shouldn't our perspective on beauty evolve too?

It's a conversation worth having – an exploration of whether beauty truly has to be painful. And as we delve deeper into this dialogue, we begin to unearth a new perspective on self-care, one that values our comfort, health, and overall well-being. Because in the end, beauty should enhance our lives, not hinder them. So, as I embark on this journey of questioning and redefining beauty norms, I invite you to join me in embracing a vision of beauty that aligns with our genuine well-being and self-love.