What It Takes To Break Past Beauty Labels!

How often do we get typecast by the way we look, when we are actually so much more than the physical attributes that shape us. Dove is changing the narrative of women’s representation with Project #ShowUs – the world’s largest stock photo library created by women to shatter beauty stereotypes the world over by showing women as they are, not as others believe they should be. We talk to five strong women about what it takes to break past beauty labels.

- Radhika Sen

KAYAAN CONTRACTOR, Beauty Blogger and Image Maker

For Kayaan, beauty is a safe and democratic space where no one should feel the pressure to conform. Not one to adhere to beauty standards, she admits to having gone through a long phase where she resisted the idea of shaping her eyebrows, and it continues even today as she prefers to accentuate her natural thick brows, rather than get them plucked and arched. Beauty labels are not something she has consciously allowed herself to be defined by, which probably explains why her massive social media following has never unduly tagged her. With the support of friends and family, Kayaan has carved out her own niche.

Saying No To Labels

“Although I haven’t directly been a victim of being labelled it hurts me when a person goes through something like that. That level of judgement stems from a whole lot of insecurities and deeply embedded negative thoughts. People brutally labelling each other on social media can turn into a vicious cycle.”

Setting My Own Beauty Standards

“Two years ago, when I started dyeing my hair blonde, I decided to try a new hair colour every August. It gives me a totally different persona and goes with who I am. On the other hand, when it comes to make-up, I like keeping it super simple and natural. So, contouring, eyelash extensions, fake brows, or anything that’s remotely superficial is not my cup of tea.”

On The Professional Front

“I love what I do, and it doesn’t even count as a job anymore. While I have not been typecaste by my physical attributes, there has been the rare instance when I’ve been asked to change my hair colour to a more ‘normal’ shade for a photo shoot, but I have refused to give in to such requests because I cannot conform to something that I am not comfortable with.”