October 16, 2018October 18, 2018 3min readBy Divya Soneji
[All photos courtesy of Divya Soneji.]
Scars: a word everyone is so scared of. No wonder it resembles the word “scared.” My name is Divya and this is my story of living with scars. I did not create them myself; these scars were gifted to me by life and experiences.
There is no person on this earth I have met who likes gray and white spots on their skin, be it stretch marks or accident scars. We all want to be flawless; we all want to have that perfect skin. But guess what? We can’t.
As we age, we develop stretch marks regardless of gender. Nobody is immune to these tiger stripes. Yes, I call them tiger stripes because we earned them. They become a part of your life, so why hate them? I won’t lie, I tried my best to get rid of my scars, from my stretch marks to the scars on my legs. I tried microneedles, coffee scrubs, all kind of oils and every product to help them disappear. But nothing helped. I wanted to be flawless, too.
Slowly and gradually, as time passed and as I started realizing the importance of other things in life rather than stressing about those stretch marks, I started treating them as a part of me. I have come to a stage in my life where I feel blessed to have these scars. They add to my character. They are my identity now. People stare when I wear a bikini or a short dress – they look at my scars with questions in their eyes. Some just stare and some literally ask me if I did something to myself. But I am so unfazed by them now because when people look at your scars with disgust and question you, it says a lot about them. I always reply to them with a HUGE smile and laugh. Why in the world would a person do that to themselves?
Show your battle scars and have fun with them. This is my advice to all the young girls who get criticism and get bullied for having marks on their body. Please love yourself more. I know it’s easier said than done but trust me, I have been in your shoes. I have seen it all. I have felt embarrassed and depressed. I have canceled plans that required me to wear a swimsuit or a bikini. Those who belittle you for having something on mere skin never deserve you in the first place. Now, I wear anything I want to and don’t care who sees my scars. It does take a lot of convincing and self-love to realize your importance, which I had lost due to one setback. It took time, but I was determined to give myself the love my body and soul needed.
Let’s help each other in loving ourselves. Uplift every person, because it takes a whole human to help a human. Embrace the scars you are blessed with. You are different and that’s your power. You will meet so many people who share the same story as you do, and they are your tribe. These scars are what you have learned throughout your life, your story and your experiences. Life is not perfect, but it can be your kind of perfection.
The opinions expressed by the guest writer/blogger and those providing comments are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Brown Girl Magazine, Inc., or any employee thereof. Brown Girl Magazine is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the guest writer/bloggers. This work is the opinion of the blogger. It is not the intention of Brown Girl Magazine to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual. If you’d like to submit a guest post, please follow the guidelines we’ve set forth here.
Holistic beauty trends are more prevalent than ever — that makes ayurvedic beauty brands incredibly sought-after, as well. Do you find yourself asking what your beauty products are actually made of? A lot of us even resort to food products for a skincare routine such as honey for face wash.
The term “Ayurvedic Beauty” is getting more recognition outside the South Asian world as well.
Ayurvedic beauty is coined upon the term “Ayurveda,” which originated in Hindu culture as the basis of utilizing the five life forms — air, water, ether, fire, and earth — to heal the human body.
Ayurvedic beauty brands focus on using herbs and natural ingredients to create their skincare range and consumers around the world are attracted to these natural products.
Scroll down to see some Ayurvedic beauty brands founded by South Asians.
Is your skin feeling a little dry this winter? Nourishing your skin with body oil will lend it the right amount of moisture — Soma Ayurvedic’s jasmine body oil can do that trick! Shop the oil, and their full line of products, here.
If you’re familiar with author and podcast Host, Jay Shetty, then you may have heard of his tea line, Sama Tea. Herbal teas provide many natural benefits. Has it been a stressful week? Try their lavender rose chamomile tea for some TLC. Check them out here.
Know the Netflix show “Ginny & Georgia?” Loved the actress’ fresh-looking skin? Sahajan Skincare is behind that glow! They’re a must-try, featured in both Vogue and Elle India. See their full range of products here.
This unique company showcases its brand with an emphasis on ‘holistic.’ Whether it’s bad hair days or excessive shedding, not only do Shaz and Kiks provide the products to help but also break down the science behind the problem. Go on your very own shopping spree by clicking here!
Looking for accessible ayurvedic beauty products? Look no further! Ranavat is now in Sephora. With a beauty line that covers both hair and skin, there’s something here for everyone. See for yourself here.
UMM Skincare is known for its brown sugar body scrub, made with natural ingredients, and Bakuchi oil known to improve signs of aging and hyperpigmentation. Try it for yourself by shopping here!
Are you looking for brown skin-friendly sunscreen filled with nutrients? Look no further. Inde Wild has its very own SPF 50, with natural substances such as liquorice extract and cica, and it’s a mineral SPF suitable for all skin types. See what the brand is all about and shop it here.
I’m always in the market for brown girl-friendly lipsticks, and ones that are made of natural ingredients are a huge plus. Mango People does just this with their unique lipstick colors that suit all brown skin tones. Try them out here!
Need to swap out your shampoo for something better? Try Kama Ayurveda’s Ayurvedic Hair cleaner, infused with a variety of herbs and pulses with key ingredients like vetiver, tulsi, rose, moong beans, and shikakai. They have a variety of products to choose from so start with your hair and keep shopping for more here!
According to Forest Essentials, night time is the best time for hydration. Check out their night cream, filled with nutrients to enrich your skin. You can shop their wide variety of products here.
Looking for a new face mask to try? AAVRANI has a variety of face masks and explains in detail when you should apply the mask during the week depending on your skin type. Take a look here!
Just getting into skincare and don’t know where to start? PRATIMA skincare has starter sets, with basics, that every woman can use such as vitamin C serum, essential oils, and collagen creams. Grab yours now by shopping here!
Struggling with hair care recently? Fable & Mane includes various hair oils in their collection that help grow and nourish your hair. Not only that, they have a scalp detox line as well — definitely worth checking out. See their full range of products here.
In a world that’s becoming more conscious of holistic living, embracing Ayurvedic beauty in your day-to-day is a step in the right direction, and these brands are here to help you get started.
