In recent years, we’ve seen a dramatic shift in body trends within celebrity culture and social media. The once-celebrated Brazilian butt lift (BBL)—characterised by surgically enhanced hourglass figures—appears to have fallen out of favour. Influencers and celebrities are now gravitating towards downsized derrières and slimmer, more angular silhouettes reminiscent of the 1990s “heroin chic” aesthetic.
The rise of the BBL trend in the 2010s was controversial yet significant. For young women, particularly those with naturally curvier bodies, this trend provided representation, albeit through artificially enhanced replicas. For Black and Brown women, this could have offered a moment of affirmation. The hourglass figure—often stigmatised or demonised in the past—was finally being celebrated.
However, this representation came with a painful dichotomy. As certain celebrities and influencers cherry-picked features associated with Black women’s bodies, they often failed to acknowledge the broader struggles tied to those features. While some enjoyed the aesthetic privilege of curvier physiques, their whiteness shielded them from the discrimination and systemic oppression experienced by Black and Mixed women with the same natural traits.
The Cultural Impact of Changing Beauty Standards
As the BBL phase wanes and trends like liposuction, Ozempic and gastric sleeves rise, we must reflect on the potential harm these shifting standards have on self-esteem, particularly for Black and Brown women and girls.
Historically, Black & Mixed women’s bodies have been marginalised, fetishised, and scrutinised. The temporary celebration of curvier figures may have felt like a momentary relief from centuries of shame and ridicule. But now, as we return to an era promoting slenderness as the ideal, many Black women may feel erased once again.
Affirming Black, Mixed and Latina Women Beyond Beauty Trends
How do we, as clinicians, support Black women during these societal shifts—this Black History Month and beyond? Here are some key considerations:
1. Provide a Safe Holding Space
Mixed, Black and Brown women are among the most marginalised and underrepresented groups in mental health. We must create safe, non-judgemental spaces where they feel heard, validated, and supported. Listen to their experiences and emotions without minimising their struggles.
2. Challenge Western Beauty Standards
It’s essential to remind clients that Western beauty ideals are not the only standards of beauty. Beauty is diverse and cannot be confined to narrow, Eurocentric ideals. Celebrating global, multicultural aesthetics can help Black women reconnect with their innate beauty.
3. Reframe the Narrative
Help clients understand that their features were never the problem—society’s ranking of racial groups based on arbitrary beauty hierarchies was. The issue lies in systemic bias, not in their bodies.
4. Address Our Own Biases as Clinicians
As counsellors and therapists, we must hold ourselves accountable for any unconscious biases or caricatures we may unconsciously hold about Black and Brown bodies. By unpacking these biases, we can approach our work with greater clarity and authenticity, providing better support for our clients.
A Call for Holistic Affirmation
As we navigate these cultural shifts, let’s remember that beauty trends will continue to evolve, but their impact on marginalised communities remains profound. Latina, Black and Mixed women deserve more than temporary recognition; they deserve consistent affirmation, holistic support, and genuine representation.
By helping our clients cultivate healthy self-esteem and a positive self-concept, we can empower them to rise above fleeting trends and societal pressures. Together, we can work towards a world where everyone feels valued, seen, and celebrated for who they truly are—not just when it’s fashionable.
Join the Conversation
If this resonates with you or someone you know, I invite you to explore your healing journey. Book a free consultation via my website contact page here, and follow me on Instagram for more inspiration. Let’s work together to cultivate self-acceptance, introspection, and empowerment.
About Me
I’m Rochelle, a trauma-informed counsellor based in the east of England. As a woman of Afro-Eurasian descent, I am passionate about helping individuals unpack racial trauma and embrace introspective self-acceptance. My work focuses on addressing the unconscious and often damaging messages society sends about Black, Mixed, and BAME/BIPOC people. My academic research explored internalised racism and colourism within the African diaspora, and I continue to advocate for self-care as a vital part of holistic wellbeing.
If you’re seeking a safe space to process and heal from systemic racism, racial gaslighting, colourism, or microaggressions, I invite you to book a free consultation here.
Hashtags for Sharing
#BlackHistoryMonth #SelfEsteemMatters #BodyPositivity #CulturalShifts #MentalHealthAwareness #RepresentationMatters #BBLEra #HeroinChic #BlackBeauty #MixedHeritage #RacialHealing #SelfAcceptance #ColourismAwareness #EmpoweredLiving