Let me tell you why I hate mirrors and all its representations. PIMPLES! And I have quite a lot of them. It’s funny, sometimes annoying how one looks in the mirror to check if that pimple on the forehead is minimising only to find out there is one appearing on the chin and another on the cheek. Pathetic!

I hate the pimples even more when on rare occasions one decides to appear in between the eyebrows.

Self-esteem, confidence, morale and drive are all wiped away by some tiny protruding flesh on the face. You don’t want to walk up there because you will be the center of attraction not for the good reasons but only because of your pimpled face. All eyes will be on those black spots on your face. For lack of anything unique to describe you with, sometimes, people refer to you as the girl with the pimples. That is disconcerting. Isn't it?

When you walk down the street or sit in a public transport, you want to bury your head in your shirt or blouse because people gawk at you and make faces which says, “for real, see how the pimples have damaged her face.” Yea, we don’t like the pimples we see in the mirrors but it’s quite difficult controlling them.

Sometimes you meet the bold ones who when they are either tired of the faces they see or abundantly generous, advise you to use cream A or cream B. Thanks but different skin types react differently to drugs. What worked for you may complicate my situation.

As for those who sell cosmetics, you won’t walk out of their shops without them recommending a cream or two with a glorified assurance that your pimples will vanish when you use them. Once in a while, you give one a try. They seem to work until someone recommends another product. That is the only time you realise the recommended cream is not working after all.

As for the hawkers with creams that cure multiple ailments, you never hear them mention “pimples” until they see you. Then they go, “Sister me w) pimp)s  eduro w) ha o” to wit I have a medication for pimples here. Sometimes I get mad and give them a wicked glare. Other times, I smile and say thank you depending on my mood. Then they will continue, “oh, 3y3 edwuma paa o.” Sigh…

You are constantly reminded that your face needs fixing. That can be frustrating.

So we resort to ponds; loads and loads of foundation to cover the pimples, black spots and whatever the pimples leave behind when they eventually go. We feel better without the stares and looks. We feel better when we know that the gawks coming from people this time will be that of admiration. Like, “wow, this girl is fine!” J J J we feel good mehn!

But generally I hate using ponds.  I love baby powder so I use it all the time, no ponds, no nothing, just the powder. And when I powder my face, I feel good. It doesn’t hide the pimples or the spots but I feel good.

And I worry no more. My face may not be as smooth as silk but I’m okay. Having pimples does not stop me from whatever I want to do or wherever I want to go. I don’t get frustrated when people prescribe this or that neither do I mind when people stare at me.

Actually, I don’t hate mirrors, ask my dad. I love my reflection. I love what I see when I look into the mirror.

You’ve got to love yourself too. Sometimes, in trying to fix ourselves, nothing seems to work; we may even complicate the situation. We get depressed but hey, you are great just the way you are. Have you done all the exercises you’ve read about and tried all the slimming teas but still not losing weight? Forget it, big is beautiful! You think you have long ears or a big nose? They fit your face just right! J And you think the pimples make you look ugly? No, you are beautiful!!! So feel free, be cheerful and keep the smile on.