Beauty is something all people crave. They want to not only feel beautiful, but look beautiful too. What is your definition of beautiful? This week I'm writing about how the importance of looking nice has caused problems--and you don't even know it! Personally, I don't wear makeup. But I have an idea about people who focus on outer beauty. 

  Today, although we have far more important issues, beauty outside seems to be a major factor in everyday life. Some tv shows focus on beauty within however. But you still can't help noticing the flawless face and the perfectly tanned skin the actors/actresses have. In school, it's like one big competition. Who will have the best clothes? The newest hair cut? Who wears makeup and who doesn't?   This game we play with ourselves is not only hurtful and unnecessary, it is helping an industry that feeds especially on bad self esteem. Heavy makeup isn't essential in one's daily routine, so why bother? An hour in the bathroom every morning is ridiculous...we all have better things to do! Most makeup products overall are just unnatural and contain harmful chemicals like parabens*.   Besides makeup, tanning and body shape/weight can drive people to the point of insanity. For the people who get unnatural tans, you are exposing yourself to the possibility of skin cancer. And those harmful tans can fade. What then? You're back to being you and must start over again. Body weight and body shape is a stupid thing to go through life worrying about. The only way you should ever be concerned is if you're unhealthy, Then you can take action to help yourself. But stressing over every single item you eat is not any fun.    You also see the people with manicures and pedicures. If that's a treat every once in a while, I don't find anything wrong with it. But have "beautiful" hands doesn't make you better! It can even deprive you of doing simple chores such as gardening, playing with your children/siblings, even picking up things can damage your nails. You can also get harmful things under your nails when you do go in for that pedicure.    All of this feeds on your self esteem. Heavy makeup, tanning, body weight, body shape, and nails. Not to mention there are a few others. By participating in even one of these, you are not fixing yourself...quite the opposite. You're damaging yourself. Human beings are far from perfect--we're notsupposed to be. So stop trying to be those people on tv, in ads, everywhere. All those stars have to use fake materials to make themselves look like that. They aren't more beautiful or special than you!   The only person you ever need to satisfy or bring happiness to (with the way you look) is yourself. And to tell you the truth, who you are without the add-ons should be good enough!   *Parabens: these are harmful chemicals that can cause cancer usually found in makeups, shampoos, lotions, sunscreens and body care products. You can usually avoid these by reading the ingredients on the back. Organic beauty products usually do not contain these. Forms of parabens includebutylparaben, methylparaben, isobutylparabens and propylparabens. There are also many more. If you want to find out more, google parabens.     This was an article I wrote one week for the Newspaper. I hope you all enjoy!