Hello Darlings, The world we live in today rarely accepts flaws and in the race for perfection, we are the only ones who lose the battle. Living in a society where perfection is defined by strict standards or digital augmentations, no wonder we're never living up to the ideal. We continue to chase the nonexistent perfection which is engineered by a clever team of wizzes.

For that very reason, I've joined Raw Beauty Talks for their inaugural RAW Beauty Challenge (#rawbeautychallenge) in order to create a dialogue between myself and you regarding the immense pressures faced by women to fit into socially constructed notions of "beauty". As part of today's challenge, I've agreed to share photos of myself without any make-up, photo editing or filters  — completely raw and here's why.

It was very special to have my mom take these images, as I want her to know that I am proud to carry on her and my father's features. My features and imperfections are those of people I love most. Those of my family and the generations before them. Growing up  I hated many parts of myself. I hated my nose most; it was too big and I could not stand to look at my profile in the mirror or images. Today, all I see is a part of my dad's father in me. My wavy hair which has a mind of its own, was a source of many frustrated days and lots of straight ironing. Today, I've come to embrace that I am the only one that has wavy hair in my family which I got from my mom's dad. Both of my grandfathers have passed away recently and since I've never thought of changing what I inherited from them. I carry a part of them within myself.

We all dislike something about ourselves and sharing these images is  scary because I may not look "pretty" to some. I feel ok with that; nervous but ok. When I look at them I see a pale complexion which is begging for a touch of blush and two prominent scars which I like to conceal. On another hand, I look what I look like and without a doubt I would not change it. Have I thought about it? Yes! Just last month I wanted to have a fuller upper lip and in fact did go in for a consultation but then my lips would no longer look like my mom's. It is in the past year that I've come to terms with my appearance. I know that there will be  days that I will once again question myself but I also I know that there will never come a day when I will actually change any part of me. .

I hope that by sharing my images, it will give that little bit of courage for you to take the same step and share your beauty with us. Please join me by posting your own beautiful RAW photos on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter using the hashtags #rawbeautychallenge #rawbeautytalks . I really do hope that you join along towards self-love and acceptance. Share your beauty with the world and carry on your family's legacy proudly.

With Love...

Marta