By Kaley Clements
Beauty are hygiene. Full stop.
Beauty is commonly accepted as non-essential or purely cosmetic. There are certain expectations of being hygienic specific to a person’s lifestyle and preference, including managing acne, dry skin, facial and body hair. Estheticians provide these services based on needs and preferences of clients seeking to manage these conditions.
I have a different perspective of beauty based on observations and experiences. We already hold certain professions to high standards of grooming for the sake of credibility and health protocols—think of chefs, doctors, nurses, teachers, and even the estheticians themselves.
Why do we instinctively judge someone based on whether they have manicured nails or freshly blown out hair? It is an inherent judgement or observation whether someone has the privilege of taking care of themself. Although I do not subscribe to passing judgement because not every person has the privilege.
- A facial massage could be the perfect reset to start the work week.
- A facial wax could be the most effective way to manage hair growth driven by genetics.
- A brow tint could be the confidence boost needed to nail a major presentation.
We should not confuse “beauty hygiene” with “beauty standards.” This is specific to an individual’s needs, not a trend. By reframing beauty as hygiene, we can begin to dismantle harmful standards. Taking care of oneself provides essential physical and emotional well-being; the average person should have access to these services without the shame of justifying what is “necessary.”
There is no shame in self-care.
Esthi Kaley 