Definition of Natural Beauty

Natural is defined by Merriam-Webster as someone or something that “closely resembles an original or to be true to nature.” They also define beauty as “a combination of qualities, such as shape, color, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight.” If we combine these terms we get one of the most underrated things within the African American community, and that is “natural beauty”. There are two parts of natural beauty and that is aesthetic beauty and inner beauty.
When asked what she viewed natural beauty to be, Freshman Class President, Savaria Goodman said, “Having natural beauty is to be comfortable with the face, body, and skin tone that God gave you. As black women, we are blessed with such diverse features that we shouldn’t want to change anything about us nothing is more beautiful than being comfortable with yourself.
According to DoSomething.org, a whopping 91 percent of women are unhappy with their bodies. That means that only 9 percent of all women are satisfied with their natural body type. These insecurities are caused by constant bombardment on social media about how women should look and what body type is found attractive by men. In fact, only 8 percent of women possess the highly-desired hourglass figure that everyone is running to the gym and wearing waist trainers to obtain. If you are aesthetically pleasing to yourselves it does not matter what others think.
The other component of natural beauty is inner beauty. Inner beauty has to do with being honest with yourself and expressing your thoughts and feelings without filter.
Freshman Haile Wayne says that “Natural beauty is being shameless in your thoughts and opinions. Embarrassing who you are as a being and letting your inner beauty radiate to your outer appearance. Being you unapologetically.” African American women have been looked down upon and even viewed as undesirable for being unapologetically themselves. Take Michelle Obama for example. She is an Ivy League educated black woman that has been judged for eight years by our nation for being herself and encouraging other women to do the same. She once said “You’re important in your own right. People need to value you because of who you are, because of your story.” The question is can it be achieved? Can black women be comfortable in their own skin both physically and mentally? These are questions that can only be answered by ourselves. You don’t have to be the stereotypical clear skinned, hourglass shaped, material-minded black woman who doesn’t speak her mind to be naturally beautiful. Also, you don’t have to have natural hair, only use all natural products and be aesthetically pleasing to be “naturally” beautiful. There is no one true definition of natural beauty. Whatever way you feel the most comfortable with yourself is your own definition of natural beauty.