The moment you turn on the television or flip the page in the latest Teen Vogue, you see the same kind of girl: skinny, tan, straight teeth, flawless skin, basically, perfect. Society has projected this stereotypical girl in the media, as the only way to be beautiful. As a teenage girl myself, I feel forced into thinking that this look is the only way to fit into society and be labeled as “beautiful.” Other girls my age around the world are starting to invoke the same idea, that the only way to be considered pretty, is by fitting into the stereotypical look. Society has morphed our view of beauty by making us believe that some certain traits are the only things that will make us accepted in the world.

There’s a saying, “society killed the teenager,” which I believe is completely true. I mean we grow up watching beautiful movie stars and television stars, singers, and models, and we all believe that we’re suppose to look perfect and be perfect all the time. But being perfect doesn’t mean you’re happy.

Personally, as a child, I always played with Barbies. Back then, what a Barbie represented to me, was what a girl should really look like. I would always apply blue eyeshadow and pink lipstick on myself in hopes of retrieving half of Barbies beauty. But my distinct features of brown hair and brown eyes always ruined that imagery for me and I would be disappointed in myself, because I could never look like Barbie. I didn’t feel pretty without blonde hair and blue eyes. Of course I didn’t know any better, considering I was only seven, but you see that’s the point.  I didn’t know any better, because Barbie was societies creation of the perfect girl.

This utopian girl society has created has had major side effects on all teenage girls around the world. Society has completely destroyed any idea of self-esteem, because girls will always point out flaws in themselves. And society has labeled true beauty as looks. But what is true beauty?

True beauty is anything but looks. It lies underneath the skin. It’s your personality. True beauty is not giving into the labels and rules of society. Basically, true beauty is being you and only yourself. Although I have not lived a very long life, some of the things I’ve learned over the years is that envying someone for their looks, doesn’t really do anything for you. But embracing yourself and your natural beauty really enhances your self esteem and makes you an overall happier person.

So, how do you not give into the concoction society has created? Easy, be yourself. Present yourself how you want to be presented. If you want to wear makeup, wear makeup! If you want to dye your hair pink, I say dye it pink. But do all of that, for not anyone else, but you. I think the reason why I wanted to look like Barbie so badly was because I thought I would be accepted more for my looks. But I’ve now realized that looks aren’t everything. It’s your personality and how you express yourself that really makes you unique.

And, of course, we should all remember again, that we are beautiful just the way we are (thank you, Bruno Mars) and if we all remember that, I think it will get easier and easier, to focus on the real beauty in the world, not society’s portrayal of beauty.