I owned a Mexican tequila bar for five years. And being surrounded by Latina waitresses, you start thinking about your femininity and beauty.
One cannot ignore the curves, shiny black hair, their accents, and the way they stare. They all look like JLO, Sofia Vergara, Salma Hayek, and Penelope Cruz. There is an unavoidable self-assurance and inner confidence that goes to the beat of Reggaeton music.
There is a constant negotiation between purity and sexuality. I sometimes wonder if it’s the body over the brain, the brain over the soul, or all of the above need to work in perfect harmony? Is that what makes an ideal woman?
In every country, there is a specific preference for beauty. Fair or tanned. Blonde or brunette. Breasts or bums. Standards are set depending on the people.
In the Philippines, I would always hear you’d need to be a 36-24-36 to enter beauty pageants. Like this random combination of a vault, once unlocked, you’d be considered a goddess. Anything over, you’d be called a whale or not good enough.
These standards can drive a woman mad and insecure.
It can take time to be comfortable in one’s skin.
Sometimes, just after the awkward stage of puberty.
Other times, even later or maybe never.
It’s worth persisting because being self-assured in your own body, brain, and soul is the sexiest thing ever.
Here’s my suggestion for any woman who isn’t in love with her being—
find what is unique about you. Love it. Enhance it.
And if you need a boost of confidence, skip the tequila.
Just dance like no one’s watching.
