Before I begin, these are simply my personal icks and opinions. You don’t have to agree with them, and what bothers me might not bother someone else. We all have our preferences, and these just happen to be mine.

Bleached head

It’s about time women start embracing their genes. I absolutely love getting balayage, highlights and lowlights, but someone who has bleached their natural black or brown hair from root to tip is absolutely disgusting. Know our hair is naturally dark and this cut down will make you ginger in about a month. I also see so many women getting expensive treatments at salons, then coming home and washing their hair with department store shampoos. Please buy professional aftercare products after getting hair colours or treatments.

The duck lips

If you’re someone who naturally has enough volume on their lips, please don’t go and get fillers. You will literally regret it after a few months because the fillers never get dissolved, they just move around under your skin. And even if you need it, go to someone who is an expert and don’t go for too much because it looks horrible. There are hardly one or two doctors in Pakistan who are actually qualified for such work, the rest you can find anyone with an injection on every street. Know the game. However, anyone can tell when you have something injected on your lips because of the outline it creates on your upper lip area. Best is to use a nice lip liner, over-line your lips and then top it with a matte velvet lipstick. It does the trick.

Lash extensions

Okay, I’m guilty of wanting lash extensions until I realised when they start coming off they actually ruin your own natural lashes too. So for me, it was never worth the risk. If you want lash extensions, go for something closer to your own natural lashes and never the heaviest ones. I have seen lashes come off and trust me, you don’t want to experience that. Once they are off, they make your eyes look so empty. The best thing is just curl your lashes and invest in a good mascara. I got lash lamination but my skin is very sensitive and the area on my lids got dry, it took over 2 months to get better on its own.

The Foundation Mismatch

Idk why South East Asia is obsessed with being white, even if they aren’t. Having healthy skin is what matters, and if you take care of your diet and skincare you will literally have the most amazing skin. Anyways, I have attended so many gatherings and the face colour never matches the neck, hands or feet. It’s about time people stop investing in shades meant for whites and go for something that actually goes with their yellow or olive undertones. Your skin is basically an investment, the greater the investment on it, the better the results. I’m guilty of buying foundations two tones darker than my skin and even using bronzing drops because I like a bit of a tan look, but then I use a brightening concealer under my eyes to even out the look.

Fake Nails

I’m not saying you need perfect French tips, but at least have neatly filed and cut nails. Your natural nails are perfectly fine. Invest in a good hand cream, get regular manicures and pedicures, and always take your own tools no matter how fancy the salon is. One of the first things I notice about someone is their hands, which is why I absolutely cannot stand the huge acrylic nails covered in charms. I genuinely don’t understand how people function with them, let alone maintain proper hygiene. Clean, healthy natural nails will always look better than something so impractical and overdone.

Careless about your appearance

I have seen so many people, men and women both, who don’t care about how they look. Either it’s a lack of interest or they just don’t care about how they carry themselves. You need to take care of your skin, your hair, and your looks in general regardless of your gender. No one judges your personality first, everyone sees the cover before going through the book. Every problem people face is treatable. I’m not suggesting a facelift or Botox, but at least consult a dermatologist regarding your skin concerns, get clinical-grade facials done, or go to a professional stylist to colour, cut, or style your hair. It’s important to have even-toned and smooth skin no matter how old you get. I started using sunblock in my teenage years, and when I had acne in my early 20s, I thankfully started a 6-month Accutane course before scarring could happen and the issue got sorted out. The course was pricey but worth spending money on. A stitch in time saves nine. My skin still gets breakouts during the smog season in Pakistan, so I stay consistent with clinical facials, tretinoin, and Korean skincare. I spend a lot on my skin and hair because the best investment you can make is on yourself.

Dental Hygiene

Book that appointment with your dentist and get your scaling done. If you have a lot of caffeine, you definitely need it quite often and it can make a hell of a difference. Consult your dentist twice a year for an overall checkup, especially if you’re a sweet tooth and a caffeine addict. And always brush your teeth after consuming something sweet.

Obesity

This is one thing I have always struggled to understand because, to me, it immediately signals poor health. No matter how expensive the outfit is, excess weight can make it difficult to carry yourself the way you want. What genuinely surprises me is seeing people in their teens look much older than their age because of their weight. Beyond appearance, the long-term health risks are what concern me most, from joint problems and diabetes to high cholesterol and heart disease. Anyways, you are what you eat, so eat wisely. I believe a lot of people underestimate how much their weight can affect their overall wellbeing. I recently started a calorie deficit, not because I needed to, but because it makes me feel lighter, healthier, and better overall.

Lastly, one thing I will never understand is when you try to copy someone while secretly hating on them. You can never be them, just like they can never be you. Instead of watching, comparing, or imitating someone else, put that energy into becoming the best version of yourself. At the end of the day, authenticity is far more attractive than any copy ever could be.

-S