imperfect women are redefining beauty and it’s disturbing
Imagine this: You’re scrolling through Instagram and come across a photo of a woman proudly showing off her stretch marks.
Unretouched, unhidden, just there, under natural light.
Below, thousands of comments: some applaud her courage, others violently criticize her.
“It’s irresponsible,” “You’re encouraging junk food,” “Nobody wants to see that.”
This woman could be you. Or me. Or any one of us.
Because yes, stretch marks, cellulite, scars, hair, wrinkles… they are all part of our bodies.
Yet for decades we have been told that these “imperfections” must be hidden, corrected, erased.
But something is changing.
“Imperfect” women (those who refuse to conform to unrealistic beauty standards) are redefining what it means to be beautiful.
And that bothers me. A lot!
Why? Because it challenges centuries of imposed norms, entire industries that profit from our insecurities, and even our own perceptions of ourselves.
In this article, we’ll explore how real women are changing the game, why there’s so much resistance, and how you, too, can be part of this revolution.
Beauty standards: a toxic legacy
Since you were little, you’ve been told what it means to be beautiful.
On TV, in magazines, on social media: slim, young women with smooth skin, shiny hair and a perfect smile.
But here’s the problem: these images are often retouched.
The models you see in advertisements don’t look like this in real life.
Yet, these standards have become the norm!
Take Photoshop for example…
A Harvard University study found that 90% of advertising images are retouched.
The hips are slimmed, the skin is smoothed, wrinkles are erased.
Result? You compare your real body to an illusion.
And it’s not just about looks!
These standards have serious consequences: eating disorders, depression, risky cosmetic surgeries.
According to a study by the American Psychological Association, 91% of women are unhappy with their bodies.
The beauty industry, meanwhile, is worth 500 billion euros.
And guess what? It thrives on making us believe we’re not good enough.
Anti-aging creams, miracle diets, cosmetic surgeries… everything is designed to “correct” our imperfections.
But these imperfections are normal.
Stretch marks, for example, affect 80% of women, according to a study published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.
Yet we are led to believe that it is a shame.
What if we stopped letting ourselves be manipulated?
The emergence of “imperfect” women
More and more women are refusing to conform to traditional standards.
They show their bodies as they are, with their stretch marks, cellulite, scars and wrinkles.
And they do it with pride!
Take Lizzo, for example.
She is often criticized for her weight, but she continues to celebrate her body and inspire millions of women.
In an interview with Vogue, she said:
Or Ashley Graham, a plus-size model, who proudly shows off her stretch marks and cellulite.
She even launched a campaign with Swimsuits For All, where she poses in unretouched swimsuits.
“I want women to know that they are beautiful, no matter their size or shape,” she said.
These women aren’t just challenging norms, they’re redefining them.
On Instagram, influencers like Sara Puhto and Megan Jayne Crabbe (aka BodyPosiPanda) share photos of their real bodies.
Stretch marks, cellulite, scars… it’s all there.
Their message? Beauty doesn’t have to be perfect to be real.
And it works. The hashtag #BodyPositive has over 15 million posts.
Women from around the world share their stories, their struggles and their victories.
The Body Positive movement isn’t just a trend: it’s a revolution.
It encourages women to love themselves as they are, without worrying about imposed standards. And that’s not all.
The #NoFilter movement encourages women to share unretouched photos.
The goal? To show reality, not illusion.
Why does it bother you?
When a woman shows her imperfections (stretch marks, cellulite, scars, hair, wrinkles), the reactions are often polarized.
On the one hand, there are messages of support and admiration.
On the other hand, harsh criticism: “It’s disgusting,” “You’re encouraging obesity,” “Nobody wants to see that.”
But why such a reaction?
Why is it so disturbing to see women accept their bodies as they are?
- Fear of change
Traditional beauty standards are deeply rooted in our culture.
For decades, we’ve been taught that beauty should be synonymous with perfection: smooth skin, a slim body, symmetrical features.
When women like Lizzo or Ashley Graham challenge these norms, it calls into question deeply held beliefs.
And change is scary. It destabilizes.
It forces people to rethink what they consider “normal” or “acceptable.”
For example, when Jameela Jamil posted a photo of herself with stretch marks, some applauded her courage, while others criticized her “disrespect for herself.”
These reactions show how conditioned we are to see imperfections as flaws to be hidden.
- The Beauty Industry and the Media
The €500 billion beauty industry has every interest in maintaining these unrealistic standards.
The worse you feel about yourself, the more products you buy to “fix” yourself: anti-aging creams, miracle diets, cosmetic surgeries.
The media also plays a key role!
Retouched images, Instagram filters, unrealistic advertisements… all of this contributes to creating an unattainable ideal of beauty.
When women show their real bodies, they break this illusion.
And it threatens a system that profits from our insecurities.
For example, in 2021, the Dove brand launched a campaign showing women with “real” bodies (cellulite, stretch marks and all).
Although the campaign has been welcomed by many, it has also drawn criticism from those who believe it “glamorizes obesity.”
These reactions show how difficult it is to deconstruct decades of imposed norms.
- The women themselves
Sometimes it’s women who judge other women most harshly.
Why? Because they have internalized these beauty standards.
Seeing a woman embrace her imperfections can be confronting.
This forces them to ask themselves: “Why am I hiding, while she takes responsibility?”
This reaction is often linked to the fear of losing control.
If a woman can be beautiful with imperfections, then why do I put so much pressure on myself to be perfect?
This challenges years of behaviors and beliefs.
But it’s also an opportunity. An opportunity to free yourself, to redefine yourself, and to love yourself.
The positive impacts of this change
When “imperfect” women redefine beauty, it has profound and positive repercussions for society, individuals, and future generations.
Pressure release
One of the most immediate impacts is the release of pressure to live up to an impossible ideal.
When you see women like Sara Puhto or Megan Jayne Crabbe celebrating their real bodies, it encourages you to do the same.
For example, a study from the University of Waterloo showed that women exposed to images of diverse bodies feel less pressure to conform to traditional beauty standards.
They are also more likely to feel good about themselves.
Representation for all
Women of all ages, sizes, backgrounds and body shapes finally feel represented.
You no longer have to look like a supermodel to feel beautiful.
Take the example of Halima Aden, the first model to wear a hijab in international fashion shows.
She paved the way for more inclusive representation in the fashion industry.
Or Sinead Burke, a short rights activist who walked the runway for Gucci.
These women show that beauty has no size, shape or color.
Education of future generations
By showing that beauty is diverse, you inspire young girls to love themselves as they are.
For example, campaigns like #NoFilter or #BodyPositive encourage teenage girls to accept their bodies without retouching or filters.
A study by the American Psychological Association found that teenage girls exposed to images of diverse bodies are less likely to develop eating disorders or low self-esteem.
This shows how crucial representation is for the mental health of younger generations.
Creating Caring Communities
Finally, this change creates spaces of solidarity and support between women.
Facebook groups, Instagram accounts, and online forums allow women to share their stories, struggles, and victories.
For example, the “Body Positivity Warriors” group on Facebook has thousands of members who encourage each other to accept and celebrate their bodies.
These communities show that you are not alone in your struggle, and that you deserve to be loved and respected, no matter what you look like.
Conclusion
“Imperfect” women are redefining beauty.
And that’s disturbing, because it calls into question centuries of imposed norms.
But you have the power to be part of this change.
You have the power to love yourself, celebrate yourself, and show the world that beauty doesn’t have to be perfect to be real.
So, the next time you look in the mirror, remember: your stretch marks, your cellulite, your scars… they are marks of your life, of your history.
And they deserve to be celebrated!
And if you feel ready, share your story. Because every voice matters.
Every body matters. And every woman deserves to feel beautiful, just the way she is.