A woman was utterly surprised when her Uber driver offered her an unsolicited tip on how to care for her remarkable skin.
Celebrating her striking beauty, the fashion icon, famously known as the “Queen of the Dark,” responded with laughter, dismissing his remarks with ease.
Read on to discover what the Uber driver said and how she transformed the situation into a learning opportunity!
Having spent her early years in refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya, Nyakim Gatwech envisioned America as a “heaven on earth.”
However, upon arriving in Buffalo at the age of 14, Gatwech found herself often alone, crying over the harsh judgments she faced due to her deeply pigmented skin.
Based in Minnesota and originally from South Sudan, the model endured years of bullying for her radiant dark complexion, with comments like, “You don’t take showers. That’s why your skin is dirty,” or, “Smile so we can see you, Nyakim. We can’t see you.”
“In class, for example, the teacher would ask a question and say, ‘Oh, Nyakim, can you answer that?’ A kid would say, ‘Who are you talking to? We can’t see her. She’s not here.’ The whole class would start laughing, and I would just cry,” the now 31-year-old woman shares with Cosmopolitan.
As a young girl desperate to fit in, it was tough when random men would bet on whether she was wearing leggings or if her skin was genuinely that dark.
“At one point, I did consider [bleaching my skin]. When I came to America from a refugee camp in Africa [at age 14], I lived in Buffalo, New York. I would cry myself to sleep after being bullied [about my skin],” she says. “There are so many beautiful dark-skinned Sudanese women who bleach their skin.”
Gatwech revealed that her own sister was among those who bleached their skin. “My own sister did it. But when I told her I wanted to [after living in America for a few months], she told me no. ‘I’m not going to let my daughter do it, or you, nobody.’”
Queen of the Dark
Now hailed as the Queen of the Dark, this woman – who has faced discrimination from designers, makeup artists, and even fellow models – feels empowered by overcoming negativity.
Gatwech’s confidence and profound love for her deep chocolatey skin are supported by her 962,000 loyal Instagram followers.
“My chocolate is elegant. So is what I represent… A nation of warriors,” she writes in one post.
Fans are captivated by her striking beauty.
“Omgggggg I love your skin and melanin,” one fan comments, while another says, “love your beautiful skin tone so much! God makes beautiful creations such as you to remind us of His magnificence!”
Responding to the overwhelming support, Gatwech states, “I grew to learn to love myself… Now, I am not bothered by it [the negativity]. I accept my skin, I love myself, and I’m not insecure about my skin anymore. I don’t think I’m ugly anymore. I have confidence in myself.”
‘Stupidest questions’
A few years ago, Gatwech recounts an encounter with an Uber driver who asked if she’d ever consider bleaching her unique skin.
“He said, ‘Wow, you’re dark,’” Gatwech tells Cosmopolitan about her conversation with the driver. “I just laughed. I wanted to know why he thought I should. He said because life would be easier for me. It would be easier for me to be in a relationship, or guys would be more attracted to me if I was lighter. If I was going to a job interview, I would get the job opportunities because I’m lighter. I just said, ‘[Even if] being lighter would make my life easier, I’d rather take the [hard] road.’”
She adds, “I’m accustomed to people asking the most absurd questions about my skin.”
Gatwech then shared her story on Instagram, accompanied by a stunning photo of herself with three other dark-skinned Sudanese women.
She wrote, “A nation with people so dark you won’t believe your eyes… skin so rich and teeth so bright. Gosh, how I love my country, my people, and everything that comes with it.”
She detailed her encounter with the Uber driver: “[SIC] I was asked by my Uber driver the other day, he said, ‘Don’t take this offensively, but if you were given 10 thousand dollars, would you bleach your skin for that amount?’ I couldn’t even respond; I started laughing so hard. Then he said, ‘So that’s a no?’ and I was like, ‘Hell to the f*cking yeah, that’s a no. Why on earth would I ever bleach this beautiful melanin God blessed me with?’ Then he asked, ‘So you see it as a blessing?’”
Her followers quickly responded with praise and support.
“I guess he didn’t get the memo… black is beautiful,” one fan commented.
“I love you for loving you,” shared another. A third added, “Why would we ever want to mess up something so beautiful?”
When asked by Yahoo Beauty what advice she would give to young black girls facing similar challenges, she said, “You are beautiful, you are unique, and there are people who love you just the way you are. They say the darker the berry, the sweeter the juice. Embrace your darkness!”
How Vanity Items Became Collectible Art?!
Within the realm of retro beauty accessories, the lipstick case is a notable representation of glitz, sophistication, and individual flair. Vintage lipstick cases were made to be more than simply a place to store lipstick; they were works of art that could be found in any woman’s handbag, a far cry from the disposable, frequently simple packaging of today’s cosmetics. These cases, which date from the early 20th century to the mid-20th century, are highly sought-after objects for collectors and lovers of vintage beauty products because they capture the style, materials, and craftsmanship of their eras.
Vintage lipstick cases were a reflection of the artistic sensibilities of their day, made from a range of materials such as brass, gold plating, enamel, semi-precious stones, and exquisite etchings or inlays. Cases with geometric designs, crisp lines, and opulent metallic embellishments were popular in the 1920s and 1930s, reflecting the Art Deco trend. A return to femininity and luxury was witnessed throughout the post-war era, as cases grew more elaborate and included romantic designs, like as flowers and birds, which were frequently inlaid with pearls or colored stones.
These enclosures were technical and functional miracles in addition to being stunning. Many included an integrated mirror that made it possible to apply lipstick while on the go, and some even had a little space for powder or a miniature perfume bottle, which embodied the era’s requirement for small, efficient accessories. These jewels were masterfully crafted; designers such as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Tiffany & Co. created pieces that served as status symbols in addition to being useful.
Vintage lipstick cases are nostalgic and provide insight into the everyday routines and particular preferences of ladies from the past. They take us back to a bygone era when beauty routines were infused with a feeling of elegance and formality, which contrasts sharply with the modern emphasis on efficiency and speed. Many people have developed a passion for collecting these items because of their artistry and beauty as well as the histories and tales they represent.
Vintage lipstick cases require careful cleaning and periodic polishing (for metal cases only) to keep them shiny and free of tarnish. The excitement of the chase is part of the fascination of searching for these gems, which can lead aficionados to antique stores, estate sales, and online auctions. A vintage lipstick case is more than simply a container, whether it’s on show on a vanity or tucked away in a purse; it’s a tiny piece of history and a relic of a bygone era’s devotion to elegance and beauty.
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