If you bought it then it is yours

Women in and around South Africa suffer from criticisms about their hair, their eyes, their nails and sometimes their bums. Young women get depressed the minute they look at themselves in the mirror or even when they open magazines. They envy fashion models for the way they look. Women are told day in and day that they are not good enough, with or without the artificial hair, nails and eyes. Critics strive to pull them down by saying that they have fake hair, fake nails etc. My problem is why does no one ever comment about the artificial flowers and the fruit that people use to decorate their homes? Why does it not ever register that “if you bought, then it is yours?”

According to Joan Mapipa, qualified beauty therapist, stylists grow every day as the demand for artificial cosmetics is growing at a vast rate. Women around the country buy weaves and extend their hair, use eye contacts or artificial nails. They are never questioned once they purchase a pair of jeans or a t-shirts. Why is that? According to a survey that was conducted regarding weaves and African women, they felt that people contradict themselves when they tell others that they have “horse hair.” They mentioned that critics are too quick to criticize while they forget the principal of ones belongings. What ever one has bought, it is only correct to say that it is theirs.

The societies that we live in today have created a stigma towards artificial cosmetics. As a result of social pressure, media and globalization, many people can now be what they want to be at their own expense. Looking good is a choice and if it is artificial nails or weaved hair that make you look and feel great, and then why not buy it? At the end of the day, it is yours, better “beweave” it.

Ayanda Somagaca