It can be nerve-racking to step out on the beach in a bikini.
But decades down the line, you’re probably not going to be worried about how you looked in swimwear. You’re more likely to be concerned about whether you’ve lived your life to the full or not.
So in a bid to enjoy every moment possible, it’s important to embrace the skin you’re in. And that’s exactly what body positive star Karina Irby is doing.
The 34-year-old, from Australia, has been urging her 1.1 million followers to stop letting their insecurities hold them back. To hammer home her point, she shared a candid bikini picture on Instagram.
In one photo, Karina stands looking out towards the sea. You can see the natural folds, bumps and marks on her skin – and she looks absolutely fabulous.
Other care-free snaps show her striking a pose at a Taylor Swift concert, frolicking in the sea, enjoying a spa day with her husband and working hard at her bikini business.
Karina captioned the empowering post: “I have cellulite and I’m thriving… I NEVER let it hold me back. Stop letting your normal human features dictate your future happiness. CELLULITE IS NORMAL.”
Many appreciated Karina’s message of self love – as the post has garnered more than 15,000 likes and plenty of positive comments. Some revealed that “normalising” so-called imperfections has helped them to feel more confident in themselves.
One responder gushed: “Such an amazing woman. Truly an unbelievable role model.” And a second said: “Thank you for your efforts of inclusion and body positivity! You are amazing!!”
Meanwhile, a third added: “Karina – I just have to tell you. Your cellulite has allowed me to not hold back either – and for that I think you for normalising it.”
Karina Irby is an Australian entrepreneur, fitness personality, and social media influencer. She is widely known for her activewear brand, Moana Bikini, and her promotion of body positivity and realism on social media platforms, particularly Instagram.
She has gained significant attention for her frank discussions and posts about body image, self-acceptance, and the reality behind edited photos often seen on social media. And previously, she went viral for hitting back at trolls who branded her "obese".
The influencer was also praised for opening up about her marriage. She revealed she doesn’t want children, which is a conversation that resonated with many.
