The year 2020 is all about self-love, which is why we are thankful for the body positive influencers that remind us that you don’t have to be a runway model with a size zero waist to be beautiful!
Body positivity is often confused with promoting obesity and an unhealthy lifestyle, when in reality it’s just a bashing to the decades old assumption that all women look the same, and it’s not okay to be different! Women – and men – come in all shapes and sizes, with stretch marks, beauty marks, and many other “flaws”, and that’s completely normal, and all are as worthy of love and happiness!
Here’s 5 body positive influencers we live in the region and we think you should check them out too! …
- Ameni Esseibi
Being the first curvy model in the Middle East, Ameni Esseibi is an inspiration to us all! She poses with confidence wearing her stretch marks with pride, reminding us that you can be beautiful no matter what size you are, and without being airbrushed and photoshopped into perfection. Ameni Esseibi is the best reminder that stretch marks are normal and that all bodies are summer bodies no matter the size.
- Danae Mercer
Probably one of the most candid influencers in the region, Danae loves showing everyone tricks about the difference good and bad lighting can make and how it can affect the image, as well as teaching her followers how to pick out a photoshopped body in comparison to a natural body. Danae also likes to remind all of us that real skin bends, stretches and doesn’t always have to look perfect. We love Danae because she’s real, natural, and isn’t afraid to tell it as it is, which helps people feel natural for having flaws. Oh and she’s a #CrazyCatLady too!
- Waleed Shah
A commercial photographer whose passion is to click the truth, Waleed Shah tends to captivate us in all his photography. However, his #RockYourUgly collection is by far our favourite! Waleed focuses on the “ugly” bits in his models; the things people don’t normally show on social media, such as scars, injuries, discolouration, a little bit of extra squish here and there, and turns them into breathtaking photographs that highlight the ugly bits and showcases them as normal, or even beautiful. We love the elegance of his black and white photographs, and the message behind this collection is why he’s one of our favorite body positive influencers.
- Shahad Salman
The gorgeous Shahad Salman is one of our favourite body positive influencers around, as she showcases her vitiligo proudly, and is an inspiration to anyone with this skin condition. We love that she doesn’t let her unique skin stop her from chasing her dreams, as she modelled previously for luxury brands as well as is pursuing many other fashion and beauty brands, just as she is.
- Yara Ayyoob
Known for her artistic and bold makeup looks, Yara challenges the beauty standards in her own unique way. Her different make-up looks and her on-point eyebrows positively motivate all beauty-lovers out there! We love her because make-up is an art, and there’s space for everyone to be an artist in their own way, which she confirms by just being herself and going all out!
Layan AlJammal
Xx
