A FAIR complexion has always been highly regarded in countries like Japan and Korea.
But in other countries, the preoccupation with lighter skin has become an obsession that has taken epic proportions.
In Thailand, for instance, people were up in arms recently over an advertisement which insinuated that being fair implied higher intelligence.
And in India, an actress has made it her personal mission to fight the misconception that fair is more beautiful. Nandita Das is heading a campaign that encourages people to look at beauty beyond colour.
Although whitening and brightening products are also immensely popular in Malaysia, and raking up sales figures for many skincare brands, it’s good to know that Malaysians have a fairly (pun intended) balanced view of skin colour.
Many women (and men) today are well-informed that “whitening” products are not really about skin that’s a few shades lighter but more about achieving a healthier, brighter and more even toned skin.
In 2009, law student Thanuja Ananthan won the Miss World Malaysia title and went on to represent the country in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Today, she’s a professional model, TV host and animal activist who has no issues over the colour of her skin.
“I’ve never used whitening products as I’m proud of my skin colour. I do not condone ‘whitening’ in any way,” says Thanuja, 27.
She feels having fairer skin doesn’t necessarily mean someone would be more beautiful, as it’s subjective.
“You can be beautiful regardless of your skin colour. Some people actually revere a darker complexion. Why do you think having tanned skin is such a huge trend?
“I don’t think it’s right, the way India regards lighter skin. One should not impose one’s vision of what’s beautiful on others. You don’t have to be of a certain skin colour to be accepted. Personality plays an important part in defining beauty too,” she adds.
“I would certainly like to see more darker-skinned women on billboards. That being said, I’m glad I’ve been accepted by the industry and have been given so many opportunities. I would, however, find it offensive if my skin has been digitally altered.”
For journalist S. Indramalar, 41, she has never really been bothered about her skin colour which she describes as “dusky”. She’s grown more than a few shades darker, she says, because of her active participation in outdoor sports.
“I used to swim, sometimes under the hot mid-morning sun, much to the consternation of my fair-skinned grandmother, and cycle daily. And nowadays, I run regularly outdoors.
“I admit that I did try a whitening product once when I was in university. It was the first time I had seen the product Fair And Lovely, which a university mate swore by. Curious to see if it would lighten my skin, I tried it for about three weeks but I’m not sure if it worked. It was really silly as I would apply the cream, and then, get baked in the sun doing the things I love an hour later!” she says.
“But I’ve never felt pressured about my dusky complexion, although I’ve received comments about how ‘it’s such a shame’ that I’ve ‘lost my colour’ (as I’ve become darker). Ironically, some people have also commented that I’m fair for an Indian. Such statements completely baffle me.
“Whenever I’m buying skincare products, beauty therapists inevitably point out the whitening properties of creams, presumably because of my complexion. I’m not offended but I do make it a point to tell them that I’m not concerned about whitening, and that I just want a healthy and well-hydrated skin,” Indramalar says.
Actress Nabila Huda, 29, loves her tanned skin and doesn’t see the need to be fair at all.
“So far, everyone I meet loves the colour of my skin and compliments my natural dark tan. In my line, the cameramen and make-up artists always tell me that it’s easier for them as the make-up goes on better and the lighting never ends up looking harsh, as it sometimes does on fair skin.
“I love going to the islands. People tell me I’m unique and special, because of my different skin tone. I know many people strive to get lighter skin, but I’m not wasting my money on whitening products. Besides, fair skin can be fragile and I think tanned skin is so much sexier!” says Nabila.
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