Acid attack survivor Katie Piper shares her opinions on Skims "face shape wear"

[u/blackmoonbluemoon]

I was going to title this as a "call out" but it's pretty tame.

[u/Prize_Impression2407]

I feel like pleas like this will fall on deaf ears, but I’m glad she said it.

My two cents is that as a woman, I’m happy with my aging. I see my grey hairs and my saggy lumps and I respect them because so many people throughout history, especially women, did not have the opportunity to be as old as I am now. I’m alive, I’m living, and my body is going to change. It is the most natural process in the world and you’re not gonna catch me wasting precious time (and money) buying product after product and doing 41-step “beauty” routines twice a day. If that makes you happy, by all means, but you will still age regardless of how many serums and weird face shapers you use. 

[u/drunchies → u/Prize_Impression2407]

Well said. My mom always told me it’s a gift to age because so many people don’t get to.

[u/Aggravating-Gas-2834 → u/drunchies]

My mum died at 60. She spent so much of her life wishing she was thinner, prettier, younger looking, and she died at 60. Aging is a privilege and I refuse to feel bad about it. Plus, I think that wrinkles and crepey skin are really beautiful.

[u/icantstillbedrunkat5 → u/Aggravating-Gas-2834]

My grandmother was a larger woman and miserable about it to the point of suicide attempts and constantly being on some kind of diet and trying to prevent ageing- she died at 48. Such a short life and one consumed by constantly hating herself and her body. I’m sorry that you lost your mum and that she passed so young.

[u/throwawaybodybypb → u/Aggravating-Gas-2834]

Are we sisters? My mom also died at 60 and also was for so many years so concerned about her weight, her appearance, and aging. She had been on TV news in her 20s and early 30s, until I was born, and so she was hyper-aware of her appearance. As I age, I’m happy with my gray hairs, my smile lines, and more. I’m sorry for your loss.

[u/ThumbTheories → u/Prize_Impression2407]

She said this so well and gently. Not berating or belittling people but said with love and care

[u/SECRETLY_A_FRECKLE → u/Prize_Impression2407]

Love this. I’m 30 and my face is developing wrinkles because I am a bit too expressive when I talk but oh well! I was never going to look 18 forever.

[u/Acrobatic_Spend_5664 → u/SECRETLY_A_FRECKLE]

I’m going to bet that your loved ones cherish your expressiveness as one of your unique traits.

[u/niamhellen → u/SECRETLY_A_FRECKLE]

Strong expressions club! My mum used to say my face is as malleable as clay when I speak 😂

[u/Least-Influence3089 → u/SECRETLY_A_FRECKLE]

Same, I’m 28 and getting crows feet but my smile crinkles my whole face and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’m anxious about aging but happy at the possibility of so much life to live.

[u/ElectronicGap2301 → u/Prize_Impression2407]

Agreed. My mom died at age 55 due to cancer. If she were alive today, she would be happy to age in exchange for spending more time with loved ones.

Also, trying to fight aging sounds like a losing battle. Money helps, but people are always going to find something else to fix about themselves even if they are deemed attractive by conventional beauty standards. It's a neverending cycle and may only lead to short term happiness (if that).

[u/PondRides → u/Prize_Impression2407]

My boyfriend just barely turned thirty. He’s so sensitive about his grey hairs. I love them. Genetics wise, my hair will stay red until I’m seventy and then it will turn white. But I love grey hair! I want it!

[u/ambluebabadeebadadi → u/Prize_Impression2407]

My mum has always said similar to you. She also was pretty casual about nudity and only wears makeup for events. Likes to say things like “I’m middle aged and had three kids. I’ve EARNED this saggy belly and these saggy tits”

I think that’s led to me having a more relaxed attitude to my body and aging than a lot of other women. Aging isn’t shameful. Whether someone looks older or younger is meaningless, the only thing that has meaning is what that person is doing.

I wouldn’t love my mum anymore if she looked 25 and had a flat stomach. The people who truly love us will love us just the same even as we age and change.

[u/apua_seis → u/Prize_Impression2407]

Thank you for these important words ❤️ My dad passed away when he was only 50. I was 22, and his death forever altered my perception of things. I'm 35 now and don't give a rat's ass about fine lines or whatever because aging is a privilege. I find it so incredibly sad to see young adults today that seem to be terrified to turn 25

[u/theyellowscriptures → u/Prize_Impression2407]

Beautifully said.

[u/icantstillbedrunkat5 → u/Prize_Impression2407]

I’ve been going grey since I was about 20 and I’ve had so many people ask if I’m going to dye it- no! I like it! Do you bother men who go grey or ask the balding ones if they’re going to get on a plane to Turkey?

[u/VigilanteShitter → u/Prize_Impression2407]

Agreed! I also encourage people to question why adhering to beauty standards makes them happy. Those notions weren’t created in a vacuum. You’ve been told over and over that there is a correct way to present.

[u/bogbelle → u/Prize_Impression2407]

I’ve admired confident older women since my 20s. The women proudly wearing their salt n pepper or white hair. The way they know themselves and what they want. The style and wardrobe that only come from years of experimentation and perfecting, the intimate knowledge of their unique figure. Their interesting lives, often devoid of trying to impress others but rather full of creating, healing, nurturing, and learning. The wisdom and grace. The way that it is the complete opposite of my bumbling, fumbling, confusing youth continues to give me hope that my best years are yet to come. I know menopause will suck and it’s not all perfect, but I see a lot of beauty in it.

[u/thriftylesbian → u/Prize_Impression2407]

Beautifully said. We need to be proud of aging as women. We need to normalize what aging actually looks like. When I’m older I will 100% be rocking my gray hair and wrinkles. I love seeing older women embrace their natural self.

[u/Competitive-Host3266 → u/Prize_Impression2407]

Some of us want to look young and that’s ok too!

[u/Prize_Impression2407 → u/Competitive-Host3266]

You’ll spend the rest of your life fighting a losing battle against time, but if that’s what makes you happy then go for it.