A
s a fashioninfluencer,
it wasmypersonal
style– playingwith
oversized,masculine
tailoring– thatinitially
caughtpeople’sattention.It wasn’t
thefullstory,though.It tookme
a littlewhiletofindmyvoiceand
speakmytruth.
I wasbornwithneurofibromatosis.
It’sa conditionwherevisibletumours
growalongmynerves.I didn’ttellmyfollowersaboutit forfouryears- butI’msogladthatI did.I’dbeen
feelinglikea fraudandit wasasif
a weighthadbeenliftedoffmy
shoulders.I madea documentary
aboutit fortheBBCandsomany
peoplegotintouchthankingme
forbeinghonest.
Thatthingyouhateaboutyourself,
everyoneelseprobablyloves.Embrace
it andmakea virtueofit.Workwith
Style and beauty lover, campaigner and social media
star Arooj Aftab is on a mission to raise awareness
about body disfigurement using the power of
fashion. Because being “different” is a strengthAroojusedSchwarzkopfLIVEPrecious
Metals in Golden Glimmer. Head to
Superdrug to shop the look and to
livecolour.com for more inspirationit, not against it, whatever that
negative voice in your head is telling
you. I wouldn’t say I’ve completely
“overcome” all my insecurities.
I may have accepted them, but it’s an
ongoing journey – and that’s OK.
Now, when I look in the mirror,
I don’t see my neurofibromatosis. I
see strength. I see personal growth.
I see me. And I hope that’s what you
see when you look at me, too.
We all have insecurities, big andsmall. They’re part of our story,
identity and individuality.
Confidence isn’t about being
perfect – it’s about seeing perfection
in imperfection.
I’m different. So are you. It’s
what makes us... us.Work with it, not against it