Paayal, today feels comfortable with who she is on the inside and outside.

Comfortable in My Skin
Finding the Real Me

By Paayal Mahajan, staff writer

"You are who you are." How many times have you heard that? But it's easier said than done. There's literally a new trend to follow every week! Who wouldn't want the latest skirt, or the latest hair color?

Here's what I've learned: I think trends are great. The fashionista in me is always on the lookout for new styles. But they're worth it only when I can blend them into my own style.

A New Look

I didn't always feel that way. Being Asian Indian, I used to wonder sometimes what it would be like to have beautiful golden blonde hair—or gray eyes. So I went and had my hair highlighted blonde, I got myself blue, gray and even purple contact lenses, and after a while, I got tired of it. It just wasn't me.

Missing What's Right In Front of You

People actually commented how pretty my natural hair color was when my highlights faded. Was my dark, brown-black color I always thought so blah actually pretty? When I stopped wearing my colored contact lenses, people commented on how my dark eyes stood out. I felt like everyone around me appreciated me more than when I tried to change the way I looked. Or maybe they appreciated me all along and I just wasn't paying attention. Most importantly, I realized I was happier with the real me.

The Big "Aha" Moment

Not to say that my highlights weren't fun. But I took the time to stop and think about myself. It's OK for me to have dark hair and dark eyes. That is who I am. There are so many people in this world with different hair colors and different colored eyes—that's what makes it such a beautiful world to live in. I know the line sounds cheesy, but it took me awhile to figure that out.

There's nothing wrong with getting highlights, changing your hair color or wearing colored contacts. But do it for the right reasons, not because you're trying to fit a mold of what beautiful means. How do you avoid this common pitfall? Know who you are on the inside and love it—no matter what! Who you are on the inside really does reflect on the outside. I know moms always say it, but I've grown to realize it's true!

So I will continue to be on the lookout for the new trend in boots. But I will always know who I am, and be proud to be me. And that's a trend that will never go out of style!