Shades of Authenticity

Driving back from friends, I passed a towering billboard featuring a well-known actress promoting a new canned drink. A tough woman, always impeccably groomed and taking great care of herself. This time, though, something else caught my eye and set me thinking. Her face glowed with makeup, lashes I could almost count, and a filter layered over it all. Nothing wrong with that—well-maintained, as always.

So why, as a woman, am I reflecting on this?

I have a daughter, and I speak for her and other girls chasing this ideal of perfection. I feel a responsibility to say something. Looking back 15-20 years, when my daughter was a little girl, I recall Dutch women radiating natural beauty—wild hair, cycling, dressed simply, and striking a balanced elegance. No fuss, just authentic charm.

As a mother, I wonder: How can I encourage my daughter and others to be themselves—free from a thick layer of makeup nearly 24/7—and to accept who they are? More Botox, fillers, and artificial enhancements seem to dominate, sidelining true societal values.

Authenticity is losing its worth, while consumption takes precedence. Who do we want to be, and who do we want our children to become? What values did we once hold dear?

I’d love your thoughts. How do we guide the next generation toward self-acceptance? What steps can we take to reclaim authenticity?

#Authenticity #SelfAcceptance #Values