Skin Deep

Hey lovers, and wanderlusters,

It seems i’ve been deliberating over writing this blog for what feels or seems like forever. I have a thousand thoughts swimming around in my head, and trying to put them down into some articulate form has escaped me.

And now I find myself listening to Rob Zombie blasting from my stereo. I’ve not listened to White Zombie in like forever, and here I am writing this blog to ‘More Human Than Human’ LOUD.

Anyways, where was I?

‘Skin Deep’ and the ‘After Dark Series’.

‘The ‘After Dark Series’ was first conceived while I was hanging out on snapchat – It all began with 60 second video compilations of ‘Positive Body Images’ of moi, semi nude and fully clothed.  After a few weeks of doing this, I decided to take it over to YouTube, and for creative reasons, I have now taken it to Vimeo where I hope you will head over, check it out, and follow, like, and share.🙏🏼

Since it’s conception, many people have interpreted it, and/or misintepreted what I’m setting out to do in equal measures, despite the write up I have for each video.  But who reads right, when busy watching the visuals 😜 hence the importance of this blog post.  Even if you only read this once, whether it resonates or not, makes sense or not, agree or disagree, at least it is written.

I can now finally direct people to this post when I get the question: ‘So, what is this After Dark Series all about?’

Now, to focus and get my thoughts out on the page, and hopefully make sense.  Well, I guess I got tired of seeing how the media portray body image, particularly with women, and young girls.  I know this has been going on since time began.  Women being objectified: it’s nothing new, the porno mags and films, the billboards of perfectly photoshopped bodies, and flawless skin. Botoxed foreheads and lips, cosmetic surgery, breast implants, liposuction,  insanely unhealthy diets, and workouts that no-one can ever sustain, all in the name of beauty and the ‘body perfect.’

Disclaimer:  For anyone reading this post who has done any of the above, this is not a dig at YOU, I’m merely highlighting what I believe is an issue in our society about how women should look, and the subconscious influence it has on us, making us feel less than perfect.  If you are happy with your choices, I’m not knocking that, I’m just saying it how I see it.

Having worked in the weight-loss industry for  women for some years, I’ve been witness to too many beautiful women succumbing to eating disorders, such as anorexia, and bulimia.  Including the ‘negative’ self talk, and the constant comparison.  The persistent strive to look like the grrl on the cover of the latest magazine, and god help you if you’re over the age of 35 – you may as well give up now!

Positive body image in the over forties, embracing the lumps and bumps, even down to going grey gracefully have all been frowned upon. Unless you’re rich and famous like Cher or Madonna who can afford to do 4 hour gym workout sessions with a personal trainer, have access to cosmetic surgery, and everything else that goes with it, then being over 40, is acceptable and still considered seXy. But what if you don’t have access to personal trainers, or the best quality make-up, or regular botox shots?  Are we still considered attractive, seXy,  or even visible over the age of forty?

Now, I’m not dissing women such as Cher or Madonna,

But lets get real, they are not REAL anymore, they too have succumbed to cosmetic surgery, crazy diets, and excessive working out, all in the name of beauty.

As a woman well past her forties, I can HONESTLY tell you, I have had no work done: no botox, breast implants, cellulite wraps, or insane diets that are not only unhealthy, nor sustainable.  Does that mean I think I’m perfect, or don’t like certain things about myself?

Absofuckinglutely Not!  

I don’t like the chicken wings on my arms, the jowls on my face when I’m tired, the cellulite on my thighs, and arse, and the thicker than I would like waistline. Would I like to change these things if i could?

Yeah sure, well maybe… Actually no, not really.

Am I comfortable in my own skin?

HELLZ YEAH!

Was this always the case?  HELLZ NO!  I had ‘body image’ issues as along as my arm.  How did I overcome this?  I’ll leave that for another post, because that’s a whole other story.

Personally, I don’t find a person beautiful that has had so much botox, or cosmetic surgery that expressions are no longer visible – a good example that immediately comes to mind is Priscilla Presley.

I always believed she was one of the most stunning women until she had work done.  Now, all I see is nothing. Her once expressive face is blank, her eyes no longer smile, she no longer looks like Priscilla – she’s what I would liken to a barbie doll (BTW even as a kid I NEVER liked barbie dolls) they never made sense to me, and they still don’t.

Which leads me back to the ‘After Dark Series’.  I aim to keep these videos to  just over a minute long and show that women, no matter their age, shape, or size can be seXy, sensual, and beautiful, because I believe we are all perfect in our imperfections.

This series celebrates women’s sexuality, sensuality and beauty (a) because I’m a woman, and (b) it’s just me making these videos, however, I applaud men to get on board with this as well.

Men stop being obsessed with sending unsolicited dick pix to women or grrls who just don’t want them.  They are not pretty – just saying.  However, a man naked, baring all, no matter his shape and size, being natural and unashamed, is beautiful, and I would be hard pressed to find anything about a naked man in his entirety, and in context, offensive.

So, in a nutshell this series is about celebrating sensuality, sexuality and being comfortable in our own skin for both men and women. The concept behind this series is about positive body image no matter our shape or size .

NB:  This series is not intended for sexual gratification, its intention is to celebrate the body clothed or naked, and know that we are all beautiful, and perfect in our own imperfections.

I welcome all feedback around the concept of this series, and look forward to having an open discussion about it with you. I also encourage the men to step forward with their thoughts around ‘body positivity’ and what it means to you as a man.  What are your insecurities?  I’m sure they will be very different than women, or perhaps not.  Lets start a discussion, and learn from each other.  I shall respond to each and every message.

Until then my loves:  Stay seXy, Stay wYld and Be free!

Peace out ✌
Samira ox   ☮

PS:  Please ‘DO NOT’ send me any comments slamming me about certain famous women that I have mentioned here.  They will NOT be published, because  this is my blog, and  are my opinions only.  

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