This is why you should #loveyourlines

We’re usually looking for ways to smooth away our stretch marks, but a new viral campaign is encouraging women to embrace those ‘imperfections’ that make us who we are by posting photos of our bodies on social media. The inspiring new #loveyourlines campaign started as a small initiative by entrepreneurs Erika Salazar and Alex Smith in a bid to empower women to show off the real them. It’s now turned into a worldwide phenomenon that has seen thousands of women across the globe upload beautiful black and white portraits on Instagram and Tumblr to showcase their individuality and remarkable stories behind their stretch marks.

Refreshingly, an increasing number of us are starting to love the so-called ‘flaws’ that give us unique character and make us different from one another. Just as scars and tattoos tell a story about our lives, stretch marks reveal a remarkable journey that our bodies have been through – whether it’s weight loss or gain, pregnancy or simply a family trait.

Natural beauty expert, Janey Lee Grace, agrees that no longer stressing about beauty flaws is a growing trend. ‘In my book, Look Great Naturally Without Ditching The Lipstick I recommend all manner of organic and natural products and treatments, but if I could only pass on one message it would be that above all you must recognise that you are already beautiful. Beauty really does come from within and when you connect with your uniqueness, you can radiate positive energy. I called my website imperfectlynatural.com as we are all imperfect – and that’s OK!’

A recent study carried out by Secret Saviours anti-stretch mark underwear brand found that stretch marks ranked fairly low in expectant mothers’ list of pregnancy woes. In fact, mums-to-be were much more concerned about missing out on sleep than getting stretch marks, with only 12 per cent of those surveyed citing stretch marks as a cause for concern. The research also demonstrated that we tend to feel more positive about our bodies as we get older – with stretch mark worries highest in younger women aged between 18 and 24. We’re also realistic about our bodies, with 70 per cent of women saying they were unsure if a beauty lotion or oil would actually prevent stretch marks.

Want to get involved in #loveyourlines? Visit Instagram or Tumblr.