“It’s actually quite stressful to be constantly thinking about how I look instead of spending time preparing for interviews,” said Siraya Shiraz, 26, from London, before heading to a press conference. spoke on the phone. Although Shiraz has been working in the sports journalism field for over five years, she has only been in front of the camera for two years. Although Shiraz wants to be taken seriously as a sports journalist, she spends a considerable amount of time thinking about her appearance. “The way I look and the things I say affect how people perceive me. I’m in a predominantly male industry, so I’m usually the only woman in the room and 10 times 9th grade, I’m the only black person.” People too. ”
Unattainable beauty standards and their impact
Black women are not a monolith. We have different features, hair types, and skin colors. If we don’t fit the idealistic standards of Western beauty, we often feel like our average selves aren’t good enough. This leads many people to pursue unrealistic ideas that are traditionally considered attractive. For some black women, this means always looking their best dressed. My hair is always laid down, I regularly wear lace front wigs, and I never die without nails or eyelashes.
cost of conformity
According to NIQ, in 2023, Black Americans spent $8 billion on beauty and Black cosmetics. This is a 10% increase compared to the overall market growth rate of 9%. In the UK, the British Beauty Council, a non-profit organization that aims to solve problems in the beauty industry, found that Afro-Caribbean women spend six times more on beauty and hair services than other ethnic groups. did. Indulging in beauty is an act of self-care and is essentially harmless. However, some black women seem to feel pressured to always look feminine. That begs the question. Why aren’t black women allowed to be plain?
Navigating the professional space
Abi October*, a 27-year-old influencer marketing manager from London, has seen firsthand that being a black woman means putting more effort into her appearance than her white counterpart. “The white women in my office have no problem coming to work barefaced with dirty buns, T-shirts, and jeans,” October says. She continues: “But when I do that, it makes me look like I’m underdressed. I’m in a job where people question my role and think I’m an intern, when I’m actually a manager.” I have also worked for.”
Black women often have a hard time being taken seriously unless they are fully dressed. Shiraz has experienced this pressure in her workplace, and she says it’s part of the reason she tries to look good because black women are so underrepresented in sports journalism. talk. “If you’re a Black woman in any industry that interacts with the public, you’re often more likely to be ridiculed,” Shiraz said. “When I go on TV, I want to look good so people can’t hear what I’m saying,” she added.
Emily Mendez, a practicing psychotherapist and health expert, says she’s seen firsthand how European beauty ideals leave a psychological scar on black women. Black women are heavily influenced by Eurocentric beauty standards that attribute their worth to having lighter skin, looser curls, and more delicate facial features. Mendes says it’s important for Black women to “define and embrace beauty on their own terms, rather than through the smoke and mirrors of a society that privileges certain ideals and denies many other ideals that deserve positive affirmation.” I believe that this is the case. However, she acknowledges how difficult it is for Black women to learn that they are enough. “Letting go requires intense self-effort, countering internalized biases by consciously rewiring your self-talk, radical self-acceptance, and surrounding yourself with positive messages.” Yes,” she says.