Going Filter Free
Having spent a year in and out of lockdown with no quick fix or quick answer to getting us out of a global pandemic we all had to practice the art of patience. Sit still, and hope that one day we could return to normal whatever our new normal would be.
As normal resumes for some they cant wait to hit the pubs and shops but for some re-emerging can be overwhelming. Which ever category you fit in to both are completely fine and I encourage you to do what feels right to you be kind and gentle with yourself as we re-find ourselves within society.
So what kind of normal to we want to go back to?
You may have noticed if you follow me on instagram (@Kyushi_skincare) for any videos showing my face I am choosing to show up for you all without a filter. This is in the hope to punctuate your daily feed with a dose of reality, real skin & a real body. It feels very vulnerable but I strongly believe we need to change the narrative around what we are being exposed to, and what the younger generation are being exposed to. As a certified mental health first aider this is an area I do feel we have to create the change to protect all of our mental health, especially those who are particularly vulnerable. At Kyushi I believe i’m here to help you achieve healthy balanced skin, I'm here to teach you the language of the skin, connect the dots and guide your body into balance naturally. I don’t believe that a single product can fix all of lifes problems (if only right?), I do believe a product can be a strong friend on your path to balanced skin, alongside my 5 pillars of wellness. How we show up in the world, the products we choose to use, how we move our bodies, how we nourish our bodies and how we nourish our mind. You can find more about these in previous posts, lots of lovely recommendations for you.
I look back to my own teenage years and what I was fed by the media, and how it affected me. It was the time of the super skinny supermodel, curvy girls were not in fashion, this very normal, common and beautiful physical shape was not portrayed as desirable. As a 5ft2 girl needless to say I did not fall into the desirable category when I was at my most vulnerable and impressionable. I went through phases of trying to be a super skinny version of myself that was physically impossible. This is only a minor example without even touching on the damage of underrepresentation of race and gender which is sadly is still the case. Back then my exposure was magazines, top of the pops, and models in shop windows I cant begin to comprehend how young people feel now with the constant flood of social media as they are trying to figure out who they are in the world.
Plastic surgeons in the past were shown photos of celebrities that people wanted to look like, now they are being shown an image of a filtered version of their own face asking for a them to make it a reality through invasive surgery often at an alarmingly young age. No surgeon, no magician, no product however can remove your pores and give you filter smooth skin. I am in no way casting any judgement on anyone choosing surgery of any kind I only wonder if we hadn’t been exposed to what a filtered version of our faces looked like if it would be something we would crave?
Hats off to Dove they have created a video called the Reverse Selfie to help raise awareness.
“By age 13, 80% of girls distort the way they look online* Let’s change that. We're proud to present 'Reverse Selfie' – our new film that shows just how far retouching apps can distort beauty.
Social media is a big part of our lives, but the digital distortion young people see online is harming their self-esteem, confidence and well-being. The Dove Self-Esteem Project has been on a mission to build self-esteem and positive body image since 2004. Together, we can stop retouching apps from blurring young people’s confidence, and build positive body image on social media. Join us to reverse the damage and champion real beauty.”
*Based on research results from the U.S. surveying 556 girls between the ages of 10-17.
Personally I would love our new normal to be embracing our skin, faces and bodies in all of its perfect imperfections. I have edited my feed so my daily scroll is full of people that make me feel empowered, worthy and seen. Gone are the days I want to see flawless impossibly perfect unattainable filtered models. Constant daily exposure to unattainable beauty surely can only be damaging to our mental health? As a 30 something woman I have gradually become more and more comfortable in my own skin as the years roll on, my true concern lies with the young and impressionable.
We already know the impact social media is having on teenage mental health. By continuing to buy into and perpetuate the filtered movement we are adding fuel to the fire, if you’re feeling brave and strong join us and be the change for the next generation, social media isn’t going anywhere but we can make it a safer space than it is right now. Normalise ‘normal’ skin and champion natural beauty. If you’re not quite ready yet here’s a few tips to making the steps
Spend some time editing your instagram & Facebook feed, if someone you follow doesn’t make you feel empowered, happy, nourished, educated, strong, loved, worthy then simply mute them, they won’t know you’ve muted them sometimes it can be someone really close to us that makes us fall into the comparison trap.
The next step is try and challenge yourself to filter free Friday, get your friends involved make it fun, raise each other up, comment with kindness and compassion.
If you’re not on instagram or Facebook - amazing stay as you are. If you have children or grand children that are, tread carefully and prepare yourself for being called ‘uncool’ maybe rather than suggesting unfollowing or muting people suggest following a few of the people I list below or open a conversation about how their feed makes them feel, plant the seed and hopefully it will help them navigate their way with a little more confidence.
Here are some of my favourite accounts to follow for promoting a filter free empowered, inclusive future. There are thousands more but these are just a few…
@sashalouisepallari - “Looking Beautiful is an opinion, feeling Beautiful is a choice.”
@_jessyoga - Acne Positivity & Self Love Advocate
@i_weigh - I Weigh is about radical inclusivity, so that no one feels alone. Founded by @jameelajamilofficial
@em_clarkson - “Take no shit, do no harm”
@stephanieyeboah - Author of ‘FATTILY EVER AFTER’ Body Image & Self Love Advocate
@glitchuk_ - “Glitch is a UK based, internationally recognised, charity working to make the online space safe for all, raising awareness of online abuse. - Founded by @seyiakiwowo
@munroebergdorf - Model and activist “I believe passionately in inclusivity for all, no matter your race, ability, religious beliefs, sexuality or gender identity. I believe we should always stand up for what we believe in and call out acts of injustice when we encounter them. Only in this way can we become a better and happier society.”
@thebeautyed - Donna Frances - A champion of unretouched beauty
Some hashtags to follow:
#filterdrop - started by makeup artist and model Sasha Pallari in June 2020
#acnepositivity
#skinpositivity
#realskin
#Theselfietalk
#poresnotflaws
Any skin or general wellness questions I’m here and happy to help, simply send an email to alice@kyushi.co.uk.
Sending Love
Alice (she/her)
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Founder, Kyushi