Good day beautiful ladies of Hive.
To me, I honestly think that looking good is more about feeling good about yourself than trying to impress everybody.
As a Nigerian, though, this one can be complicated. Because somehow, there is always an occasion to dress up for.
Sunday morning? Church.
Monday to Friday? Work.
Saturday? Wedding, birthday, burial, family meeting.
And before you know it, you're standing in front of your wardrobe thinking, "What am I even going to wear?" as if you don't have clothes.
For me, I enjoy looking good, but I don't necessarily do it because I want people to notice me. I do it because it makes me feel better.
For example, there are mornings when I wake up feeling somehow. Maybe I didn't sleep well, or I'm just not in the mood. But once I take my bath, wear something nice, put on my wig if I didn't braid my hair, apply a little perfume and look at myself in the mirror, my mood can change completely. And sometimes,I can even go on to fix my nails and lashes. And viola, I'm like, "Okay o, we can face this day."
Even when I'm going to the market, I like to look decent. Not because I'm going there to win a beauty contest. I'm going to buy tomatoes, onions and pepper, please, but I still want to look presentable.
Because Nigerian streets have taught us one thing; you can meet anybody anywhere.
You could go out looking rough and suddenly see an old schoolmate, a relative you haven't seen in five years, or somebody who knows somebody that knows your family. 😜And trust me, you wouldn't want to be caught unfresh👌.
And then we have Nigerian weddings!
Ah! Weddings are where some of us remember that we have fashion sense. 😂
Once the asoebi enters the house, the planning begins. Outfit, shoes, handbag, accessories, gele and of course, "Who is doing my makeup?"
But even with all these things, I don't think beauty should be about constantly trying to get approval from other people.
There are days when I'm at home wearing my old comfortable clothes, no makeup, hair not particularly cooperating, and I'm still perfectly happy.
Because beauty isn't only about what people see.
Sometimes it's the confidence you carry.
It's the smile you give someone.
It's how you treat people.
It's being comfortable in your own skin.
It's waking up and knowing that you don't have to look like somebody else to be beautiful.
So yes, I like compliments, especially when it comes from women.If someone says, "You look beautiful today," I'm definitely not going to argue with them.
But I don't want my confidence to depend on compliments.
I want to be able to look in the mirror on an ordinary day whether I'm dressed for church, rushing to work, going to the market or attending a family event and genuinely feel good about myself.
Because at the end of the day, beauty really does begin with us and come from within us.
