Princess palace-like,
Mirror-lined cabinets.
Prise open the doors
And what will you find?

Copious bottles of scented potions,
Moisturisers, creams, serums, & lotions.
Frosted glass in pastel tones,
Sprays & droppers, & cleansing foams.

Anti-aging body butter,
’Scrape that tongue and scrub that pucker’.
Detox masks & mousse foundations,
Mascara, blusher, bronze vacations.

Pimples popped & eyebrows tweezed,
Eyelashes curled & beehive teased.
Teeth are whitened, brushed, & flossed.
Lips are balmed, & sticked, & glossed.

Shampoos bubble, bath bombs fizz,
Shadows shimmer & perfumes spritz.
Exfoliators buff & burnish,
A final touch: some nail varnish.

Plucked & primped & preened & polished,
All signs of ugliness demolished.
Sold to you for a hefty price.
Insecurity is our greatest vice.

Hide our ‘so-called’ imperfections
Under layers & layers of ‘pretty’ poisons,
Unpronounceable concoctions,
Chemical compounds, & synthetic options.

Isopropyl Palmitate,
Polyvinyl Acetate,
Formaldehyde & Siloxane,
Toluene, Talc, & Isobutane.

Do any of us really know what they mean?
If they’re safe or if they’re clean?
Yet we slather them on our bodies
Believing all the empty promises.

Only hoping for the day
We’ll finally think we look ‘OK’.
But can that day ever come around
As long as styles change and flaws are found?

Confidence is our only weapon,
Raise a pedestal to step on.
Drown out all their vicious lies
And create your beauty in your mind’s eye.

Banish them to their greed & gloop.
To their level, you mustn’t stoop.
For, self-care is so much more
Than what you might find in the store.

by Sylvia Villa (2024)