
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to . You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Growing up, the imagery I saw in the media had an immense impact on my self-confidence. More often than not, the characteristics society glorified as "beautiful" did not include my wide-nose, naturally-textured 4c hair, dark skin, or shapely hips. Additionally, the limiting Eurocentric ideals of beauty made me, and so many other women, feel marginalized.
This is why Dove's new campaign #ShowUs (opens in new tab) in collaboration with Getty Images and GirlGaze (an organization that seeks to promote Gen Z photographers and directors) is so important. The campaign features a collection of over 5,000 stock images, shot by 100 percent female and non-binary photographers in over 39 countries. The images capture breathtaking shots of real women from all walks of life—what true representation and inclusivity looks like. Dove knew this needed to be done after seeing the results of its research, which proved that 70 percent of women still don't feel represented by everyday images in the media, and 90 percent of stock photography is shot by male photographers.
I had the honor of sharing an esteemed panel with Dove to speak on behalf of Marie Claire and Hearst Magazines along with Amanda Cadenet, founder and CEO of Girlgaze, Dr. Rebecca Swift, senior director of Creative Insights at Getty Images, Anna Sophia, a representative from the campaign, and Dre Brown, Dove's self-esteem educator, to discuss the importance of diverse imagery in the media. “Suddenly you wake up and realize you are the person that has the power to make the change," Swift said. "There are no other stock agencies that has a female as a senior creative. You can use your power to maintain the status quo or you can use it to change the status quo.”
Click through to see the powerful images showcasing real beauty.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

Maya Allen is the former Digital Beauty Editor at MarieClaire.com where she covered makeup, skincare, haircare, wellness, you name it! She has a 15-step skincare routine, owns over 200 red lipsticks, and enjoys testing the latest and greatest in beauty. On most weekends, you can find her at her happy place, which is her makeup vanity. There, she’s usually blasting her speakers while singing along to lyrics at the top of her lungs, and making sure her highlighter is on point.
-
The Queen's Trick for Breaking in New Shoes
Who has time for royal blisters? Not Elizabeth!
By Alicia Lutes
-
Princess Charlotte is Learning to Draw from Lady Louise Windsor
Creating art with your cousins: is there anything better?
By Alicia Lutes
-
Prince Andrew Still Receiving Taxpayer-Funded Police Protection
Protecting the Duke of York doesn't come cheap.
By Alicia Lutes
-
How to Tint Your Eyebrows At Home
Practice makes perfect, people.
By Samantha Holender
-
The 12 Best Razors for Women in 2022
No more razor bumps, that's for sure.
By Julia Marzovilla
-
The 25 Best At-Home Chemical Face Peels of 2022
Real deal peels.
By Samantha Holender
-
The 17 Best Hair Growth Oils in 2022
Hair growth starts with hair health—but a good hair oil can help things along.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
The 19 Best Night Creams of 2022
Why, yes, I did wake up like this!
By Deena Campbell
-
The 16 Best Clarifying Shampoos, According to Experts
Because nobody has time for lank hair or an itchy, irritated scalp.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
How to Dermaplane at Home Safely: A Dermatologist Explains
Everything you need to know about shaving peach fuzz off your face at home.
By Samantha Holender
-
The 20 Best Korean Skincare Brands in 2022
Peach & Lily, Glow Recipe, and Dr. Jart+ are just a few of our faves.
By Alexis Gaskin