All in Nuance: An Interview with Jennifer Padjemi

How about we chat with Jennifer Padjemi?

Journalist, Black woman, and activist Jennifer Padjemi is our first guest. She'll talk to us about Black skin, self-acceptance, and the impact of culture on our society.

How do you feel about your skin (choose a perspective: sociological or cosmetic)?
I have a somewhat complicated relationship with my skin. As I’ve become more interested in skincare, I’ve learned to love it by figuring out what works for it and what doesn’t, and how best to protect it. On top of that, my skin is very reactive, and as soon as I’m stressed or tired, it’s the first to show the effects (very visible dark circles, dull complexion, etc.). And even though I’ve never had severe acne (the kind that covers your whole face), my skin has gone through rough patches, with breakouts that leave hyperpigmentation spots, mixed in with freckles and scars. Today, I have a pretty good idea of how to manage these issues—with their ups and downs, especially around the time of my period—and while I know I’ll probably never get my baby-smooth skin back, I’m still more aware of what to do, what to avoid, and what not to do.
 
- In your opinion, what does it mean to feel good about yourself?
Feeling good about yourself means already knowing yourself well. Looking at yourself in the mirror—your face, your body, your figure—is really important; I think it’s a good way to take ownership of your own story, to know what you like and don’t like about yourself before others do. For example, I hate it when people point out changes in our bodies—whether we’ve gained or lost weight—because we usually know that already, and we don’t need an outsider to comment on a body we already know so well. But more generally, it also means accepting all of one’s physical “quirks,” turning the things we like least into a unique asset, and celebrating the things we love most about ourselves.
 
- You're a culture and lifestyle journalist. In your opinion, what impact does culture have on the perception of beauty?
Culture is truly important in our perception of beauty, because it is culture that highlights the trends and social phenomena that will inspire the majority. This should start with children’s books and cartoons from a very young age, so that we understand there is no one type of beauty that is “superior” to others. So-called women’s magazines haven’t always helped (and still don’t) and have imposed unattainable ideals on us. Instagram has followed suit, It has become a form of popular culture in its own right—a social network accessible to the widest possible audience that may or may not highlight a certain type of beauty and body type, which sometimes border on science fiction because they are so detached from reality, but can also correspond to a standard we encounter in everyday life (diverse bodies and diverse forms of beauty)—yet with an aesthetic that is anything but a perceptible reality. Whether this is true or false, there will always be a kind of fantasy attached to it, which will make it difficult for us to truly identify with the images we see every day. Hence the importance of having accurate and realistic representations.
 

- Do you think that the portrayal of all types of beauty in TV series—particularly in Netflix productions—has a positive impact on inclusion and diversity?
This is very important, especially considering that these shows are widely watched by young people. Being able to see themselves represented on screen can help them appreciate themselves for who they are. Especially when the love interest or the hero isn’t white, they can tell themselves that they, too, have the right to love—unlike all those shows that always feature the same body type to play the “popular” kids in high school or the “cool” crowd. Unfortunately, that’s not enough, because a series can feature a young teen of Indian descent while still perpetuating fatphobic stereotypes—and vice versa. We need to be able to tell diverse stories without using anyone as a mere prop or “tokenizing” anyone’s identity. The key is always to ask whether a character is interesting solely because of their identity or if they have substance beyond that.
 
- When you created your podcast "Miroir, Miroir," there was an episode titled "Makeup: A Matter of Class," in which you discussed how natural beauty can ultimately prove costly and isn't necessarily well-received. What is your own perspective on this pressure to have "beautiful skin"?
As with everything, trying to break free from one societal expectation can easily lead to falling into another. Marketing and magazines create new terms that mask the real problem. Doing a “detox” or “cleanse” instead of dieting; exercise and yoga are touted as activities “good for mental health”—though they sometimes hide extreme practices—and the pursuit of that “glow” pushes us to spend more money than we do on makeup. Having beautiful skin shouldn’t be an end in itself—which, incidentally, makes thousands of people feel guilty, whether they have acne, hyperpigmentation, or simply enjoy wearing makeup. This makes me think of Alicia Keys, who decided to stop wearing makeup—only for us to later learn that she was spending a fortune (with a personal esthetician at her disposal), amounting to several hundred dollars a month. There’s genetics, and then there’s what we do with it.
 
How do you feel about your skin? Tell us using the hashtag#ToutEnNuanceon social media. Every month, you could win a Nuhanciam skincare product!