Ask Me Help Desk - What made you start lightening your skin?

Chris Rock "GOOD HAIR"
http://www.thatblackgirlsite.com/wp-...chris-rock.jpg
I hope everyone of every race goes and see this movie! :D

After Rock left the interview room, the young black man remained frustrated at the film's message he felt Rock was putting out "that black women don't have good hair." He and a black female reporter with natural hair in braids discussed how Rock should have done a fictional comedy film about this issue instead, or a stand-up comedy concert film dealing with hair just not a documentary.

Rock's co-star came to his defense.
"This movie is not about the 'natural' part about hair," said Raven Symone

"It's the fact that we put in fake hair to make it look natural."

LOL! I like that line right there^^^^^^^

Hey everyone, after reading your comments I have to say I am very overwhelmed however, very much interested in what you have to to say on the topic raised by BrownDeceit. I am currently working on my thesis for uni which is:

Do the dominant ideologies of beauty channelled through the media have a major influence on the arguable identity crisis that subsists amongst a number of African and Caribbean women who use skin bleaching products?

It would be most helpful if anyone of you be willing to participate in a telephone or online interview.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikkicute

Rewind!!

I know what that girl did was wrong but weezing had NO BUSINESS exchanging phone numbers with her friends boyfriend in the first place!!
Did everybody not see that part of the story? That was wrong!!
Makes me wonder what kind of "friend" weezing was to her as well.

.. yeah, good point. I didn't notice that part. Looks like the posts were deleted.

Is "GOOD HAIR" a new film?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Golden_Girl

My hair is not naturally wavy or straight, it's just real curly like this

http://www.ayushveda.com/womens-maga...08/07/curl.jpg

Majority of black women of any hair texture can grow their hair as long and just as fast as asians, caucasions, indians, etc. I usually just press my hair straight and it's not 22" but around 17", close to the girls in #15, #19, or Aaliyah https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/attach...chmentid=26244

It's about caring for your hair differently than how we are taught. but majority of us can grow the hair very long and at the same speed as anyone else can.

Golden aren't you part ethiopian or eritrian? (sorry I always forget which one!), I love your hair!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Golden_Girl

..yeah, good point. I didn't notice that part. looks like the posts were deleted.
Is "GOOD HAIR" a new film?

No, her post was not deleted it's on page 21 post #203.

Yes, Good Hair is a funny documentary by Chris Rock.

Here are a few of the YouTube members I was thinking of (w/awesome hair)

YouTube - saxygurl8's Channel

YouTube - Sera2544's Channel

YouTube - louel83's Channel

YouTube - RusticBeauty's Channel

YouTube - marand313's Channel

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikkicute

No, her post was not deleted it's on page 21 post #203.

Yes, Good Hair is a funny documentary by Chris Rock.

OMG @ the dissolving soda can! :eek:

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrownDeceit

Golden aren't you part ethiopian or eritrian? (sorry I always forget which one!), I love your hair!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, part Ethiopian. Thanks, but I can never forget how my ex's mother and sisters gave me hell and said the most sickest things about my hair and even saying it looked nasty. But my hair is healthy and that's what is important.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Golden_Girl

yes, part Ethiopian. thanks, but I can never forget how my ex's mother and sisters gave me hell and said the most sick things about my hair and saying it looked nasty. but my hair i healthy and that's what's important.

Is that you in the avater?

I think it's sade still? Unless you're a twin of sade gg? Lol!

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrownDeceit

You guys are totally right. It's so annoying because they make it seem as if there is only one correct standard of beauty when it comes to black women. And that's if your light skinned. And if you're not light skinned then you better have some very European looking features. Like Kenya Moore, Jessica White, Naomi Campbell, Liya Kebede, Joy Bryant, Chilli from TLC, Lanisha Cole, Aaliyah (May her soul RIP), Gelila Bekele, etc.

Kenya Moore

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0b7Omq_9Dz...00/kenya57.jpg

Liya Kebede

http://www.egodesign.ca/_files/artic...iya_kebede.jpg

Chilli

http://blackcelebritykids.files.word...lli-thomas.jpg

Jessica White

http://passtheword.files.wordpress.c.../02/jwhite.jpg

Lanisha Cole

http://static.hiphopwired.com/wp-con...ishaCole01.jpg

Gelila

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...38e9317bb0.jpg

RARELY. Very RARELY are dark skinned women with prominent west african features praised. The only one I can think of is Gabrielle Union. Though it works in my favor because I have "exotic" features, I'm not stupid or ignorant to walk around thinking that I am BETTER than someone with west african features, I just realize that society is so backwards that they'll praise me because of it. Just like they'll praise a mixed girl because of her really light skin. There is no distinct formula that equals beauty. You can be dark with west african features and still be beautiful! It's about the symmetry in ones face. Smh. I wish people could see this!

If I recall Miss Nigeria ( Agbani Darego) was one of the first to win miss world from africa,and hotel rawanda( Sophie Okonedo) I know a lot of west african women who are prominate esp. in Europe, I am west african and when people find out, I'm told I have exotic features, also you have to remember that WEST africa has many ethnic tribes that have so called western features, and so called black features. I think beauty is individual then it spans out to the whole ethinic group, I am tired of the whole west/east african features comparison on this site, this isn't direct to you but to everyone on here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EggoMini

i think it's sade still? unless you're a twin of sade gg? lol!

I'm a serious Sade fan but that doesn't look like Sade to me for some reason... Golden can you help clarify my confusion please lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrownDeceit

Soooo true. I'm starting to lose interest in him actually. He said some things the other day that urked me AGAIN. He was talking about how "interesting" puerto rican women look and how "interesting" south american women look. Oh goodness. I just did my best to grit my teeth, nod my head. And stay polite. But inside of me I was fuming. And I felt extremely INSECURE. And when he said "interesting" I know he meant fine. You should see the look on his face. Now nothing wrong with these comments he made. If he thinks these women are beautiful it's whatever, but given his track record, and given the fact he was describing the women of these places that are the non black ones. I did kind of look at him funny. I guess I just really want it to work because he's really good looking and popular. But I feel so nervous all the time. I went to the store to buy more perm to perm my hair and make sure that my curls blended and looked even more natural and like I had natural curly hair. And I've been lightening like crazy. I just feel so much pressure to look mixed. And I think I'm really getting there because 3 people in the last two weeks asked me what I was. Not saying that this equals prettier than someone who looks solid black. But. Let's face it. Why are so many of us trying to lighten? Because we want to look different from what we already are. We want a change.

If you are with someone just because they are popular and good looking then you are with him for the wrong reasons and it's also Superficial, It sounds to me that the both of you are insecure and have internal issues, esp, him to work out. He will only change when he wants to, but right now it seems that he is not ready be open minded. Be careful, because men like that will tear down yourself esteem. You will find yourself trying to attain a certain standard that you will never reach. I am sure that you are way to good for him, think about it, you were never ugly (face wise) to begin with, he did not like you because you were darker, now that you have lighten up he is with you? I have dated a guy one time who told me that I was the only dark skin girl he had ever dated, and I was cute for dark skin girl, lets just say it did not last long, I found him to insecure and ignorant.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Itss A New Day

I'm a serious Sade fan but that doesnt look like Sade to me for some reason...Golden can you help clarify my confusion please lol

Lol... it's Sade, at a Manhattan restaurant. I'm a huge Sade fan, still waiting for her new album to drop. But yeah, my complexion goal is close to this.
http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment...readers_s.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by Golden_Girl

lol...it's Sade, at a Manhattan restaurant. I'm a huge Sade fan, still waiting for her new album to drop. But yeah, my complexion goal is close to this.
An Appeal to Vulture Readers: Send Us Tips and Leave Sade Alone! -- Vulture

Ok looking at the picture up close and personal it does look like her, thanks Golden and she sure did look P-Oed!

Lmao... yeah she did, that was funny. I most likely would have reacted the same way. Then again, if I sa her there I would have interupted her conversation for an autograph and photo taken with her.

Ooops! I think I went Ellen Degeneres for a second. LOL!
Kenya Moore is a hottie!! :p I want boobs like hers!

Hey the reason why I wanted to lighten my skin is because I think it would suit my skin better I am pakistani and I have a wheatish colour skin but I want to be white I want to be beautiful I see other girls who have beautiful white skin and I want to be just like them!

Hi everyone, Im here to say I haven't lightened, and I don't want to anymnore! I always get attention from guys anyway, and I wasn't that unhappy about my looks to stay committed to lightening. I know I sound stupid... but that comment I made about darksin was based on inseccurity... I was bullied by a gang of dark skinned girls in elem school and developed an aversion to dark skin. But now I'm in college, and more mature. Dark skinned men are gorgeous when they're buff! But yeah. Just an update. Sorry if I offended anyone here who is dark.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanillawannabe

Hi everyone, Im here to say I havent lightened, and i dont wanna anymnore! I always get attention from guys anyway, and i wasnt that unhappy about my looks to stay committed to lightening. I know I sound stupid...but that comment I made about darksin was based on inseccurity...i was bullied by a gang of dark skinned girls in elem school and developed an aversion to dark skin. But now im in college, and more mature. dark skinned men are gorgeous when theyre buff! but yeah. just an update. sorry if i offended anyone here who is dark.

Lol we thought we scared you away. It takes a mature person to admit to being wrong so thank you for your apology and your explanation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanillawannabe

Hi everyone, Im here to say I havent lightened, and i dont wanna anymnore! I always get attention from guys anyway, and i wasnt that unhappy about my looks to stay committed to lightening. I know I sound stupid...but that comment I made about darksin was based on inseccurity...i was bullied by a gang of dark skinned girls in elem school and developed an aversion to dark skin. But now im in college, and more mature. dark skinned men are gorgeous when theyre buff! but yeah. just an update. sorry if i offended anyone here who is dark.

No prob Vanillawannade. I hope I didn't hurt your feelings or anything, I thought we scared you away too. Sorry to hear about how you were bullied in high school. Sounds similar to how Rihanna was bullied in school. Glad to hear that you are having more of an open mind and better experiences. Ok much luck.

Thanks, and good luck to all of you here with your success and happiness, you will get it!

Hey guys! I'm new to the boards.

My main reason is I like looking racially ambiguous. Lol! I love to see the look on people's faces when they are sizing me up and trying to figure out my ethnic background. Also, I'm trying to become a professional actress and right now, what's very "in" for casting directors/agencies, etc, is that racially ambiguous look. And if you look like you can play multiple ethnicities, you get more work. I typically identify as West-Indian, but I am a mix of African (Ghanaian, Sierra Leonean & Angolan,) European (Swedish, English, Irish, Welsh & Scottish,) Ashkenazi Jewish and Kalinago ancestry. People already usually think I am Latina (usually Dominican, Cuban or Colombian.) I've also gotten mistaken for Ethiopian (I think it's because I wear my hair natural... lol!), Egyptian (can't see it... lol.) So, why not play that up? ;)

I've never lightened my skin, but the past two days I have been using what is called a "Whitening" facial cleanser. I'm already white... but I am going to try to use this to see if it helps remove light discolorations from the sun, such as sun spots or freckles I guess they are called. I just want to see how it works. I think that skin that is very translucent is beautiful, free of marks and such but I have many body freckles and moles, which I cannot get rid of because it's inherited, but I thought I would try to use this on my face to see if it lightens my skin or removes sun damage. ;) That's why I'm trying it anyway.

Xo
Love,
Heart

Quote:

Originally Posted by Golden_Girl

No prob Vanillawannade. I hope I didn't hurt your feelings or anything, I thought we scared you away too. Sorry to hear about how you were bullied in highschool. Sounds similar to how Rihanna was bullied in school. Glad to hear that you are having more of an open mind and better experiences. Ok much luck.

Well I'm white and I was bullied in school because I was a minority at my school... I was the only blonde/white girl in my class. I live in California, and most everyone I went to school with was hispanic. I have never died my hair dark brown or tanned dark to fit in... though I suppose it would have just made me stand out more... I never thought of that.

I think dark skinned people are beautiful, and very lucky to have such beautiful caramel colored skin.

I look at my own white skin and see the freckles and veins and cringe. I wonder who the heck would ever want to be this white?!

Quote:

Originally Posted by heartshinegirl

Well I'm white and I was bullied in school because I was a minority at my school... I was the only blonde/white girl in my class. I live in California, and most everyone I went to school with was hispanic. I have never died my hair dark brown or tanned dark to fit in.... though I suppose it would have just made me stand out more.... I never thought of that.

I think dark skinned people are beautiful, and very lucky to have such beautiful caramel colored skin.

I look at my own white skin and see the freckles and veins and cringe. I wonder who the heck would ever want to be this white?!?!?

We don't. Many of these people are not trying to achieve goals that make us look white. We are trying to achieve various shades of brown. NOT white. A majority of us. That is. I'd say 80%

Quote:

Originally Posted by cafeaulait

Hey guys! I'm new to the boards.

My main reason is I like looking racially ambiguous. Lol! I love to see the look on people's faces when they are sizing me up and trying to figure out my ethnic background. Also, I'm trying to become a professional actress and right now, what's very "in" for casting directors/agencies, etc, is that racially ambiguous look. And if you look like you can play multiple ethnicities, you get more work. I typically identify as West-Indian, but I am a mix of African (Ghanaian, Sierra Leonean & Angolan,) European (Swedish, English, Irish, Welsh & Scottish,) Ashkenazi Jewish and Kalinago ancestry. People already usually think I am Latina (usually Dominican, Cuban or Colombian.) I've also gotten mistaken for Ethiopian (I think it's because I wear my hair natural...lol!), Egyptian (can't see it...lol.) So, why not play that up? ;)

I want to look racially ambiguous too that's why I'm lightening too. Im already light skin I just wanne get 2 shades lighter:D

Quote:

Originally Posted by heartshinegirl

Well I'm white and I was bullied in school because I was a minority at my school... I was the only blonde/white girl in my class. I live in California, and most everyone I went to school with was hispanic. I have never died my hair dark brown or tanned dark to fit in.... though I suppose it would have just made me stand out more.... I never thought of that.

I think dark skinned people are beautiful, and very lucky to have such beautiful caramel colored skin.

I look at my own white skin and see the freckles and veins and cringe. I wonder who the heck would ever want to be this white?!?!?

I agree w/ Browndeceit. My goal is to reach more of a light caramel colored complexion, like when I was a kid and not to reach white. If I wanted to reach white complexion, I would have used mono. But, instead I would like to retain some color. What brings you here to the skin lightening section, do you have hyperpigmentation, freckles, rosacea?

Quote:

Originally Posted by EggoMini

gurllll...

the next time he visited I would layer myself in MAC NC155 just for spite and slap him with a rubber glove...followed by a nice swift kick with my Doc Martens.

There are lots of attractive men who don't feel the need to down certain colors or people. I'd explode eventually.

Hahaha good one! :D

This is officially my favorite thread..
So many people with so many different reasons.. I love this digital family!!