As I flip through the pages of the latest issue of Elle Magazine, I am bombarded with countless images of gorgeous slender women, strikingly beautiful blue eyes, and long cascading blonde hair.
“Wow! She’s really pretty,” I think to myself. As I’m sure the millions of people with whom this magazine will be circulated will also believe this same notion.
As I continue to turn the lightly-fragranced pages, advertising the latest new, hip, and trendy perfume, I continue to see more and more really pretty girls. “Her red hair is so bright and vibrant, complemented by her freckled nose,” “She looks really exotic and atypical,” I say to myself. I then come across a brunette on page 139, who I’m sure is every man’s dream! She’s slender, has a gorgeous bone structure, and a nice inviting girl-next-door smile. I’m sure ALL the guys love her!
As I continue to flip through the ads and shortly briefed articles, I finally arrive at a make-up advertisement that has a pretty Latina woman with jet black, curly hair, pink full lips, and a deeply penetrating gaze. Not too far behind, on page 202, there’s another woman of color, a very pretty Black woman that has dark brown hair, a nice slender physique, and dark brown eyes showing off her award winning smile as she attempts to convince the reader to invest in a box of hair color highlights.
So, what does all of this mean? Are there hidden (or perhaps, not-so-hidden) beauty messages that are being disseminated to the reader as they read magazines?
There is undeniably a narrow standard of beauty that is not only evident in print publications, but is pervasive everywhere, including: television commercials, advertising and marketing themes, and let’s not forget most aspects of the entertainment/television industry. Now, with the presence of popular culture continuously evolving we have witnessed the incorporation of different images of beauty (which include women of color, Black, Asian, and Latinas).
However, there are many standards that hold true, as to what is perceived as being attractive, beautiful, or desirable across racial and ethnic lines. So, what are the non-negotiable elements when it comes to being perceived as beautiful today? Is there a certain “invisible criteria” that exists when trying to figure who or what considered to be beautiful? Is there, indeed, a standard of beauty in our culture?
Questions, questions, and more questions!
Let me first acknowledge that “true beauty” is, without a doubt, in the eye of the beholder. As with anything, especially when it comes to analyzing things like beauty, or something that requires a certain level of perception, there is definitely a high level of subjectivity involved. What one person thinks is beautiful, or nice, or attractive, another person may totally disagree with. On the other hand, one must admit that there are certain widely accepted stipulations when it comes to a traditional standard of beauty.
Now, one could go into all of the individualized, segmented details as to what fits into the narrow category of what or who is to be considered beautiful. Long hair vs. short hair, light-colored eyes vs. dark colored eyes, thin lips vs. fuller lips, narrow eyes vs. wider eyes, Black vs. White, and the list goes on and on.
Nevertheless, if we were to cast these details to the side for a moment, the largest indicator of what fits into what is “traditionally” beautiful would have to deal with the attractiveness of a woman’s physical body. Let’s face it; very rarely do you see a full-figured woman that’s considered to be the epitome of what is beautiful in a particular ad or presentation in popular media. What’s considered to be beautiful is usually taller vs. shorter and slimmer vs. bigger.
The messages that women are bombarded with on a daily basis are both rigid and contradictory. A woman is expected to be tall and regal, but not too tall (because if that’s the case, you’re some kind of giraffe or something)! A woman is expected to be slim, but not too skinny. She’s expected to have curves, but not too many curves (because then, clearly, you’re just a cheeseburger away from being fat)! She is expected to be independent, but not too independent (because if that’s the case she’ll never be able to get a man). She’s expected to be sexy, but not too sexy (or clearly she’s a whore, hoe, or slut)! And, I promise you, this list is definitely never-ending! Geez! It’s a tad bit overwhelming, don’t you think?!
All of these things that we tell our women, have a psychological effect on the way women perceive themselves. This has a lot to do with the reasons why many women have problems such as: eating disorders, severe cases of depression, along with self esteem and worthiness issues. According to the South Carolina Department of Health, over 8 million Americans have eating disorders (7 million being women, and 1 million being men). In addition to this, 20% of people suffering from anorexia will die prematurely from complications because of their illness (such as heart problems or suicide). Perhaps, it’s just me, or something, but I found this to be alarming, sad, and infuriating all at the same time!
So, how can we begin to address these kinds of issues? Eating disorders, depression, self-esteem issues, high rates of suicide all stem from some lack of self-love. Perhaps, the media contributes to this unrealistic beauty notion, and in many ways popular culture buys into these demented views of superficiality that are supposed to somehow reflect what is considered attractive, beautiful, and desirable.
The one thing that a woman could do to address these kinds of issues is to attempt learn and love herself, “flaws” and all. By surrounding yourself with people that will love and accept you unconditionally, you will begin to learn that you are, in fact, fine the way you are! I think many people would be surprised, but confidence goes a long way! When you’ve found a sound level of internal confidence within yourself, people around you are also able to detect that positive energy.
Growing up, my dad used to always tell me that “beauty is inner and pretty is outer.” And, what can I say? I totally agree with my wise old man! What matters is how you treat the people around you, the way you conduct yourself in the social world, and the inner qualities that make you uniquely special. Of course, this is not to say that people will not judge you on your external qualities, but for you to understand that your internal qualities are the primary indicators of your future success in life.
Dedicated to, Inspired by, and written for all of the beautiful women everywhere! From the beautiful women found in the widely populated places of China, Japan, and the Koreas, to the unconventional and progressive women in Europe (Germany, France, Italy, Spain…), to the beautiful women in the smoldering heat of Africa, to the diversely beautiful women that reside in Latin America (Mexico, Costa Rica, The Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Cuba …), and of course the beautiful women found in the United States, and Canada! This article is really for women everywhere!
For the love of music! I hope you enjoy the songs selected for this article! They were selected with calculated precision! Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdYQX8J-FFo (The Song: Beautiful; The Artist: Christina Aguilera) The classic and inspirational song for describing what is beautiful! From the inside out! One of my favorites!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uF1mGXCiAb8&feature=related (The Song: The Beauty in Ugly; The Artist: Jason Mraz). I only recently discovered this song, as I was brainstorming and researching songs about beauty. And, I absolutely love it!! Check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5Cvq416zuQ (The Song: Beauty and the Beast, The Artist: Celine Dion & Peabo Bryson). One can totally relive their childhood with this theme song from the animated movie, Beauty and the Beast!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64meUVyq7jk&feature=fvst (The Song: Beautiful Girls; The Artist: Sean Kingston). Undoubtedly a fun song that is youthful and full of life as it discusses the subject of beauty.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X341gDmnxaE (The Song: Flaws and All; The Artist: Beyonce). Another one of my favorites! As it discusses finding someone who accepts you as you are, which in essence is true beauty!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89GB7z_Ogt0 (The Song: Big Girl (You are Beautiful); The Artist: Mika). What an interesting video that I came across! However, I do like the message of the song!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eqn715zIgsI&NR=1 . (The Song: Beautiful Girl; The Artist: Michael Jackson). Love and Beauty, Michael Style! So, I totally had to include a Michael Jackson song, that wasn’t one of his more popular ones, but definitely nice & smooth!
