I tan, I whiten, I flat iron, I brighten

I paint, I conceal, I pluck, and I peel.

"Moisturize and exfoliate," the magazines reveal.

Then what? I magically look like Jessica Biel?

These beauty tasks are a lot of work, you see.

Do I do it for you? No. I do it for me.

"First and foremost, love yourself," they say

But it's tough when I scrutinize me, every minute, every day.

"They are looking at your acne, not you," I think.

That one little thought makes my confidence sink.

Why do I care? I shouldn't give a damn.

And for a moment, I love myself just the way that I am.