Many women often find it difficult to be comfortable in their own skin. But even more so for those of us that have been unable to live up to the stereotypical standard of beauty in our society. 

Enter…Slick Woods.

Slick Woods is a model who is single-handedly redefining what it means to beautiful, in the most ‘defiant’ of ways. Not only is she working in an industry that prides itself on perpetuating archaic standards of beauty. But she’s also doing it in a bold and unapologetic way. The complete opposite of what most people would consider to be attractive this side of the world, she has a clean-shaven head, crooked teeth and a gapped-toothed grin. Many believe  that she’s been a major catalyst in shifting the beauty paradigm in the world of fashion.

And I’m totally here for it.

She’s the face of Rihanna’s make up line and a role model for many young girls and women around the world. I shutter to think how different my adolescence would have been if I had someone that looked like her to look up to as a beauty icon.

Beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, colors, and builds. It’s not about achieving perfection or mainstream standards – but literally about being your authentic self despite external factors. The word ‘ugly’ is itself is a construct and therefore subjective. But thanks to influential people like Rihanna, brands are slowly embracing beauty in its many forms and depictions of beauty are slowly transforming to be more inclusive.