I randomly became obsessed with the stretch marks on my hips around 28 years old. They became the sexiest thing to me—and to other women, no matter their size or shape. There’s no deep explanation behind it. But for years, especially in my teens, I truly hated that I had stretch marks at all. I’d cocoa butter up my skin and use vitamin E pill capsules to help ease their appearance. At times, some products worked—and still do. Cocoa butter hasn’t truly failed me yet when it comes to helping diminish dark spots. The truth is, though, I have no real desire to get rid of my stretch marks anymore.
From Lizzo’s glowing, unfiltered Yitty campaigns to Beyoncé’s velvet-skinned visuals during Renaissance, the culture is shifting—and our skin is coming with it. No more hiding behind “perfect” skin standards or slathering on erasers like our marks are mistakes. Stretch marks are simply cute and a part of our curvy and plus size bodies.
Stretch Marks: The Unspoken Truth
Growing up as a millennial, I was duped into believing that all of the stars had perfect, firm skin. Seeing them on the red carpets for premieres and award shows was such a moment for me as a beauty girl, but I always questioned how perfect their bodies would look. Women without stretch marks or cellulite were always such an admirable sight for me to see, as I began “battling” cellulite and stretch marks at the tender age of 13. Even the curvier ones seemed to be so tight and right. And that’s no slight to the ones who were. But there was such a strict world around beauty and bodies when we, as teen girls, were watching TV growing up. Blend this in with our mothers, mostly boomers,
That’s not to say we haven’t noticed the TikTok boom in body makeup. Our FYPs are full of creators blending foundation into their legs, arms, thighs, and backs, using body brushes to smooth over hyperpigmentation and scars with ease. And honestly? There’s nothing wrong with that. If covering up makes you feel like your most confident self, paint away. Just know that if, like me, you’d rather let those marks see the sun, you’re not lazy, unkempt, or “unready”—you’re real. And your skin, in all its textured, stretched, melanated beauty, doesn’t owe anyone polish.
Instead of concealment, I’m leaning into nourishment. Body care brands are finally catching on, offering products that care for stretch-marked skin without the shame. Topicals’ Like Butter is a go-to—thick, rich, and packed with niacinamide and Centella for barrier support. Eadem’s Cashmere Peel gently resurfaces without stripping, and Osea’s Undaria Algae Body Oil feels like wrapping your body in silk sheets. None of these are about erasing what makes us real—they’re about celebrating it. Because body positivity for stretch marks doesn’t mean ignoring our skin. It means honoring it with intention and joy.
I also love the Black traditional favorite, Cocoa Butter Sticks. I use it to soothe the skin now, but before, I would use it to help erase my stretch marks.
Outside of evolving into a woman who just really believes that stretch marks are cute, they are also a symbolic sign of how a woman’s body can grow, change, and fluctuate beautifully. The journey of watching your body transform as a woman can be scary, but also exciting. No matter how the body has reshaped due to childbirth, weight gain or loss, fitness journeys, or a response to healed trauma, you as a woman always remain the muse. This is why I tell my friends to always take pictures. No matter how you’re feeling about yourself. Seeing how the female form shapes and reshapes throughout our lifetimes is special and liberating.
So when TikTok starts pushing yet another wave of body makeup tutorials—complete with airbrush tools and color-correcting creams—I get it. I really do. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to feel polished or camera-ready. But as someone who’s walked the long road of learning to love her skin in all its forms, I also know this: you don’t have to cover up to show up. If you’re stepping out this summer with dark spots, stretch marks, and everything in between, that’s not a flaw. That’s your choice. That’s also beauty.
We’ve been amidst a revolution happening in the way we treat and talk to our bodies. It’s no longer about achieving the illusion of flawlessness—it’s about honoring the real, the raw, and the radiant. For plus size and curvy women, especially, body positivity for stretch marks is more than a trend—it’s a lifestyle, a reclamation, and a daily act of bravery, too.
