Model Nikia Phoenix Says Real Beauty Comes from the Spirit
"Embracing your skin, your hair, your body and yourself is absolute love. And others recognising your uniqueness and celebrating along with you is amazing as long as your beauty is not being fetishised."
We ask five creators who have mastered the art of unconventional beauty to share their thoughts on movements that celebrate what were once considered “flaws” and the impact of social media on the progressive beauty scene.
It’s not often you find true free-spirits these days, but wellness creative, meditation teacher, reiki master and model Nikia Phoenix sure is one of them. At 41-years-young, the US-based model can be found on Instagram enthralling her 39.2k followers with her adventurous life in the wilderness, her affirmations, and her self-love quotes. “My work has granted me an amazing life full of adventures, interesting people, and great stories that I am so incredibly grateful for,” says the creator.
Other than her active pursuit of paradise, Phoenix is also known for the many delicate-looking freckles that pepper her face. She considers this trait of hers a “gift from the sun” and a promise of love and acceptance, though this positive self- reassurance wasn’t always there when she was growing up. “I wish I could say that I have always loved my freckles, but I know that’s not the truth,” she shares. “Growing up, I knew that I was different, but I didn’t want to be. I wanted to fit in. My freckles helped me stand out and brought a lot of attention to my uniqueness.”
Phoenix felt compelled to cover them up as a teenager, often experimenting with makeup products like concealers and foundation to hide her beauty marks. “I can honestly say I didn’t look or feel like myself,” she elaborates. “Let’s just say – something was missing when I saw my reflection in the mirror. My freckles help to define my bone structure, where the sunlight naturally touches my face, and my glow and so much more. When I covered them with makeup, my light diminished.”
What are the typical reactions that people have to your freckles?
When people see my freckles, I believe there’s a look of wonder that comes across on their faces. Yes, freckles do occur on all skin tones and not just lighter ones. Little kids are the funniest because they have the most honest questions without a filter. I’ve literally heard a child ask: “Mommy, what’s wrong with her face?” The parent tries to apologise to me, but I tell them it’s okay because the kid is just curious. Then I explain that the spots are freckles and they’re a gift from the sun. It’s a kind and teachable moment for all involved.
Your content often highlights the importance of self-love. What do you think are the fundamental steps that people should take to achieve this?
Identifying the steps to self-love – I’m not sure those are as defined or as obvious even to me. Most of what I’m understanding about self-love is that we must unlearn all that we thought we knew about love and relationships. It all begins with us first and not what is outside of ourselves. Everything you’ve been led to believe is selfish is actually not. Taking care of yourself first is love. Celebrating your wins and accomplishments is love.
Has your spiritual journey changed the way you perceive inner and outer beauty?
My spiritual journey has definitely opened my eyes to a more detailed and nuanced view of beauty. I’ve always felt like someone who can be aesthetically pleasing on the eye may not be completely beautiful because of their heart. You’ll know what I mean when you witness it for yourself. Real beauty comes from the spirit and your physical appearance is just a manifestation of your true energy.
What are your thoughts on movements that celebrate features that were once considered flaws?
I am 100 per cent here for embracing all of this unique beauty. These flaws have never been flaws. They were intentional and by divine design. Embracing your skin, your hair, your body and yourself is absolute love. And others recognising your uniqueness and celebrating along with you is amazing as long as your beauty is not being fetishised.
How has social media changed the way people view beauty?
Social media has given us a chance to write a new narrative and see ourselves represented like we never have before. Sure, European standards of beauty exist, but we can celebrate dark skin, freckled skin, almond-shaped eyes, broad noses, and more. We need to see the full spectrum of humanity.
If you want to find a specific community or your tribe on social media, you absolutely can. You just have to put yourself out there and that’s when you realise that you're not an outlier. The beauty that you seek is the beauty that you are. For those of us who put ourselves out there, we must keep shining so we can see and others can see too. Be that beacon for someone who doesn’t quite know how to love themselves.
What do you think society still has to learn when it comes to beauty?
Our beauty is not a trend. A person cannot put on and take off their skin. A person cannot wake up one day and decide that they’re not going to wear their body and instead swap it out for a new one. This goes back to the fetishisation of certain complexions and body types. You can appreciate someone’s distinct features without coveting them. Seeing actual diversity in beauty needs to last for more than a few seasons. We need to see our beauty reflected in magazines, social media, film, television and more, always.
