Before anything else, let us define what the word Morena actually means.
Morena - a Filipino/Spanish term for a person who has tanned skin— brunette, dark complexion.
I, personally, is a proud and loud Morena. Here I have some things I want to share with you why I love being a tanned-skin woman, and to encourage everyone to love their own skin as well.
Perks of being a morena
Whatever look you want to try on, it will surely suit you well. Especially, the dewy or glowy look. Even without make up, of course!
Being a naturally morena seems like being sun-kissed.
Got no bronzer? No problem!
You can go both on bold or bright color outfits. Just pull anything out from your closet, darling!
If others need to have a beach trip just to achieve the perfect tan skin, well, you don't need to. Besides, sunbathing might also cause skin problems or worse, skin cancer. How lucky you are, right?
In my experience, funny how I am always being suspected of having a foreign blood. People always acknowledge my tan skin and would ask if I am a half-international and half-Filipino. I feel overwhelmed, to be honest.
Growing up, I was teased for having a tan skin. It became the reason behind of my insecurities. Let's be honest, society nowadays has that specific beauty standard— which I thought I am not qualified due to my dark complexion. Because of that, I cannot choose clothes, I kept in my mind that someone will make fun of it. I also experienced name calling such as "blacky", "ugly girl" and a lot more. Whatever those name calls were, it impacts me the same—it made me down.
I admit, I tried using whitening products before. Like the papaya soaps, papaya lotion, but it should be used constantly. And for a student like me, I don't want to spend my money in these unnecessary things. Although my mother would always tell me not to continue using, I still avail the products at least a week. Then I've realized, it is like a maintenance. So I finally decided to stop and just let my skin breathe.
When I entered middle school, I became extra conscious about my physical appearance. I became a huge fan of lip tints and baby powder. You know, the fresh-look starter pack. I started to explore the teen section at department stores where there are lots of beauty items are found. But I stick with the tint and powder tandem since I only have a low budget. For God's sake, I wouldn't spend my allowance for products such as those.
Since then, I started to feel empowered. I met a lot of women who also experience skin shaming. I learned a lot from the things we share from each other. From being an ashamed girl I was before, I became a young lady who encourages the morena women to be proud of their skin tones. And up until now, I look at myself in the mirror, and will tell my reflection that she is indeed a beautiful lady. Regardless of my skin issues, my complexion, and my skin tone.
To all the women out there, keep in mind that your characteristics are not imperfection. Your dark complexion is not an issue. Neither your acnes, your height, nor the color of your hair. Those are all normal. You are perfectly imperfect, a master piece of the creator. Everything in you is magical— every thing you possess is quite unique. Never feel bad about it. Never be ashamed of who and what you are.
I realized, even though there were people who tease me for having a tan skin, there were also people who appreciate it. They commend and tell me I am pretty than what I think I am. But because I chose to listen to those negative words being thrown at me, I ignored the positive ones. I forgot that I should always look on the brighter side. I encourage people to stop skin-shaming. It is and will never sound funny. We never know what others are going through— maybe they have battles against their insecurities and the only thing we could do is to help them appreciating themselves.
Embrace yourself. We are like a butterfly. Butterflies cannot see their own wings. They cannot see how colorful and wonderful their wings are. But still, they fly as if they are proud of their own beauty. Be like a butterfly, soar like a butterfly.
