What‌ ‌Women‌ ‌Really‌ ‌Want:‌ ‌Is‌ ‌To‌ ‌Be‌ ‌Free‌ ‌From‌ ‌Beauty‌ ‌Stereotypes,‌ ‌For‌ ‌Good‌ ‌

What‌ ‌Women‌ ‌Really‌ ‌Want:‌ ‌Is‌ ‌To‌ ‌Be‌ ‌Free‌ ‌From‌ ‌Beauty‌ ‌Stereotypes,‌ ‌For‌ ‌Good‌ ‌

Beauty is often associated with women in a wrong way. Sure, we are prettier, softer and more adorable than our male counterparts and that doesn’t mean we have to stick to the predetermined image of an ideal female set by the society. We refuse to abide by a restricted and shallow ideas of beauty that wants women to be ‘fair, tall, lean and feminine’. We’d rather be flawed, different, natural and real. Also, we believe in making our own rules, be it regarding beauty or life in general. What women really want is to not be judged on the false and faulty parameters of beauty and break the age-old stereotypes associated with it.

The whole world has been talking about the most basic and common stereotype and how beauty comes in all shapes, sizes and colour lately and so we aren’t going to touch upon those today. However, these are not just the only standards of beauty that women are expected to follow. There are some hidden, subtle stereotypes which on surface sound pretty normal but are actually quite regressive and sexist. From being shamed for wearing too much makeup to being called beauty with brains, we women really want to stop stereotyping beauty and be free from these set rules.   

Also Read: What Women Really Want: Is Men Doing These Things On Women’s Day To Become True Female Allies

Wear Makeup, But Not Too Much

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Whether you wear  a lot, little or no makeup, you are judged. Wearing too much makeup labels you as slut, attention-seeker and vain, while not wearing makeup invites unsolicited advice like “you should groom yourself,” “look more ladylike,” “you have such pretty features, why don’t you accentuate them with some makeup?” Makeup is a choice, a form of expression and art for some and it should be seen that way. Plus, men can wear makeup too, without being shamed for it.   

Greys And Wrinkles Are Not To Be Shown

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Oh, we forgot. Women are goddesses who don’t age. And even if we do, we have to keep it a secret as long as they can or else that one grey strand on our head or that wrinkle on our face may end humankind. A lot of brands and companies will tell you to hide your fine lines with a concealer or use dye for those greying hair but no one tells you how ageing gracefully and naturally is also an option. We’d like to embrace our greys and fine lines please. If that’s not too much to ask. 

Get Rid Of All That Facial and Body Hair 

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Men and women are both hairy creatures and making only one gender suffer with those waxing strips and epilators. Facial and body hair is natural and it’s time it’s normalised. Why are men allowed to proudly show off their chest hair and beard, and even a strand of hair on a woman’s body raises eyebrows and cringe faces? Twada facial hair sexy, sadda facial hair disgusting? It’s painful and worthless. And, no woman would want this stereotype to stick around. I repeat, no woman!  

Beauty With Brains Is Rare 

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The most ridiculous of phrases that I’ve heard people using a bit too often is oh, she’s ‘beauty with brains’. Gift wrapped as a compliment, it’s more of an insult for all beautiful women, and brainy women too. The perception that the combination of beauty and intelligence in women is rare is extremely offensive and quite nonsensical. First of all, these two traits aren’t related to each other in any way and secondly, there are so many women who possess both. There are beautiful doctors and smart Miss World winners among us so just stop stereotyping! 

A Woman Should Look ‘Feminine’

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Why? And how do you define feminine again? A girl having short hair is just as feminine as the one having long hair. I mean, the anatomy doesn’t change, neither do the chromosomes. So, what’s really the point of this stereotype? Oh, maybe men want us to look that way. Because women with longer hair, earrings dangling in ears and dupatta flying in the air are instantly more attractive, no? But this isn’t ‘what men want’. Also, while we are at it, we also think men who don’t keep this sort of mentality are super attractive. So, maybe work on that?

Also Read: What Women Really Want: Is To Not Be Judged And Shamed Anymore For These Things

Anjali Agarwal

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