Last week on Oprah, correspondent Mara Schiavocampo revealed beauty secrets that she discovered on her travels throughout 5 continents. Armed with her camera, tripod, and laptop Schiavocampo interviews real women in their living rooms and kitchens as they discuss beauty.
The most attention grabbing beauty ideal was found in the West African country, Mauritania which celebrates fat, stretchmarks, and divorcees! Young girls are sometimes force fed to become bigger while men are supposed to be thin. The more divorces you have the sexier you are perceived and the bigger your butt the better. Oprah started to sing "There's a place for us!".
I encourage you to visit the Oprah site where you can read more and view the videos. There is no one type of beauty in this world and we really form that ideal from our peers. I have noticed a big difference just in makeup styles among women in the NYC area depending on their peer group.
Maybe by understanding that beauty is flexible and diverse we can appreciate our own a little more. What if the thing you hate the most about your body was considered attractive in your community? What if we all walked down the street with pride and confidence no matter our shape, size or color? What if we actually accepted and believed every compliment we received? Let's try it.
If all else fails I will see you in Mauritania!!!




