So true, Reha. And that’s what I meant when I say that these girls from the younger generation lose the right to complain that people make fun of them for their darker skin color…IF…they themselves are going to surrender by purchasing these creams. IF more and more girls were to become confident and stop buying these creams and give a karak jawab to pathetic comments about skin color from elders…who knows…maybe these companies who sell such creams would not profit so much from naive and gullible people.
I’ve heard that in India…the leading industry belongs to companies who make such creams.
I’ve even heard women say that “goray rang main mistakes chup jaati hain.” Not so…red acne will show up brighter than ever on fair skin. I’ve heard people say that “if you have a big nose, it’ll conceal itself better on fairer skin.” NOT SO…a big nose is a big nose no matter if it’s sitting on fair skin or darker skin.
As far as makeup is concerned…I think darker skin has the upper hand because a variety of colors can be applied. Lime green/purple/hot pinks/electric blues/sunset oranges…all these colors in makeup (especially eyeshadow) look so much more vibrant and exotic on darker skin.
And I understand that the lines often BLUR when it comes to looks. If you’re doing something to enhance your look (makeup, changing your hair color, piercings, etc)…that’s not so bad. But if you’re wishing to completely change what you’ve been naturally given just so that you can appease people in society…that’s wrong. You’ll never succeed in pleasing everyone. And there’s a limit to how far one takes their enhancing as well. I know a girl who has naturally beautiful brown eyes and wear hazel contacts 24/7. I’ve never seen her without her colored contact lenses. She’s married, has a child, still wears them. And I remember how one day she became so upset that somebody had told her, “You’re just an ordinary looking girl if it weren’t for your colored lenses.” Now those lens have become like a crutch she’s so dependent upon. It’s good to have some balance and moderation. One should feel comfortable enough in their own skin to go without makeup and other enhancements from time to time.