Introduction
As women, we often forget that we are simply beautiful without making any adjustments to our faces and bodies. We also forget that there are other types of beauty aside from physical beauty.
Though these are simple truths, many of us live our lives constantly trying to enhance our bodies in some shape or form to be more beautiful and to appear more attractive to ourselves and others.
Makeup Experiment
One day, I decided to complete a one-year time span of not utilizing any makeup products. This experience helped me love and accept my natural self more than I did before I commenced the journey. My self-esteem and self-confidence inevitably benefitted and soared from completing this journey.
I have never heavily and consistently utilized makeup, but I still often used mascara and eyeliner to give me that “pop.” This journey of not using makeup enlightened me on how dependent a woman can become on even the simplest makeup tools and techniques to enhance her appearance.
The Culture of Beauty
The culture of beauty thrives on others’ consistent dependence on different “beauty-enhancing” techniques such as cosmetics, plastic surgery, and fad diets. My goal is to avoid dependence on such techniques to prevent myself from being an active participant in this artificial culture.
I spent a lot of my life as an unconscious participant in the culture of beauty. Consistent messages, advertisements, and media have affected me at many points, and I often allowed these messages to influence me in ways that made me more self-conscious of my body. I know that if the media and beauty industry have affected me, then they have probably affected numerous others as well.
Research Derivative
This book derived from a research paper I completed at the University of Georgia. I felt it necessary to expand on the paper because beauty culture affects people across the globe, making it a relevant topic. I do not write this book to criticize the beauty industry but to speak candidly about it.
The purpose of this piece is to communicate how the culture of beauty can affect people in ways they may not even realize. Furthermore, I write this book to help people understand the reasons why they choose to engage in beauty-enhancing techniques. There is a difference between being conditioned to believe your body is inadequate versus consciously and willingly participating in beauty culture because you want to — knowing your natural body is good enough.
The Culture of Beauty Defined
You may ask, “What is the culture of beauty?” According to Caffrey (2015), “The culture of beauty refers to the prevalent standards of physical attractiveness as dictated by popular opinion.”
Within this culture, certain features are usually focused on such as symmetry, body weight, hair type, and skin tone. The media — through music, magazines, film, entertainment, news, and advertisements — strongly shapes what is considered beautiful and attractive.
Age and Visibility in Media
If you take time to observe the media, you may notice that most women in news, film, entertainment, and broadcasting are often young (or appear younger than their age) and are covered in makeup to enhance their physical appearance. Older women, and those considered less attractive by Western standards, are often shunned by society and rarely seen in the spotlight. It is as if once a woman ceases to be a sexually consumable object or passes a presumable reproductive age, she loses value.
Furthermore, there seems to be a negative correlation between a woman’s social value and her age. You may also notice that there are considerably more older men involved in these industries compared to older women.
Beauty as a Form of Gender Oppression
The culture of beauty perpetuates gender oppression because it often conveys to society that women are objects to be enhanced — often for male consumption. Women are continually reduced to their bodies and frequently not seen as full human beings. Through this cultural norm, women unconsciously perpetuate and participate in their own objectification.
Many people have never considered the beauty industry to be an extension of patriarchy or an example of oppression, but if one observes how successful this billion-dollar industry is, it becomes clear that it thrives on the insecurities of women. Those insecurities are the very fuel that feeds the culture of beauty. Understanding this culture and its effects helps mitigate its influence worldwide.
Chapter 1: Plastic Surgery (Elective)
Is it wrong to get plastic surgery, or is it empowering — a demonstration of autonomy over one’s body?
When discussing the culture of beauty, plastic surgery is a salient topic due to the continuously rising rates of women who obtain procedures today. “Women account for more than nine-tenths of all cosmetic procedures” (Espejo, 128). This statistic shows how disproportionate the numbers are between women and men.
Motives and Meaning
Plastic surgeons commonly say that people today choose surgery “to empower, better, and preserve themselves” (Espejo, 130). Yet countless others do so seeking external validation and sustained youth. Having a “good body” — whether real or surgically enhanced — can win attention, social value, pseudo-confidence, and advantages in jobs or relationships.
In many cases, elective plastic surgery demonstrates how society teaches people not to appreciate their natural, untouched bodies.
Boobs: The Obsession Is Real
A woman’s breasts have been noted as one of her most scrutinized features. Society’s obsession creates endless judgment and insecurity. All breast sizes are beautiful and unique, yet many women remain consumed by comparison. Large, medium, small, uneven, or flat — they are all perfect forms. Still, countless women learn to feel inadequate about them.
Risks and Reflections
Obtaining a breast augmentation remains a steady trend. The issue does not lie in the act but in the motive. Why do women risk their health for fleeting physical traits? Even though many surgeries are successful, complications and deaths do occur — reminding us how powerful beauty culture’s grip can be.
When women absorb media messages without awareness, those messages can erode self-esteem and self-appreciation. Simply seeing “perfect” bodies repeatedly can take a psychological toll.
Understand why you make choices about your body. If you pursue surgery, ensure your motive arises from clarity, not insecurity. Love yourself first, then question whether the surgery still feels necessary.
Chapter 2: The Beauty Industry
It seems that many women forget how beautiful their faces are without makeup. Cosmetics are often described as tools of confidence, but they can also become tools of dependence.
Dependence and Identity
Some people use makeup as art or for fun, and that’s fine. The issue arises when it becomes a mask for self-acceptance. A woman who feels she must wear makeup conveys to the world that she is not comfortable with her natural appearance. Dependence on makeup can lead to bondage disguised as beauty.
The beauty industry monetizes insecurity. It thrives when people believe they are inadequate. Quality makeup is expensive, and dependency drains both finances and confidence.
Objectification Through Media
Advertisements targeting women outnumber those aimed at men, showing how society values women’s looks over their intellect or other attributes. This focus on the body often diverts energy that could develop talents, leadership, and creativity.
According to the objectification theory (Fredrickson & Roberts 1997), Western societies train women to view themselves as objects to be judged. When women internalize that gaze, they perpetuate their own dehumanization.
Psychological Effects and Challenge
Makeup can provide short-term boosts in confidence. Historical examples, like soldiers using lipstick to feel human again, show its emotional power. But long-term identity should never depend on products.
As women, we must learn to love our bodies and faces exactly as they are. You don’t have to quit makeup forever, but taking breaks helps reveal how much of your confidence is truly yours.
Try going without makeup for simple errands or even big events. It’s uncomfortable at first, but over time you may rediscover your own beauty. Every woman is beautiful — with or without cosmetics.
Chapter 3: Fitness and Health
Consistently investing in personal health and fitness is the most natural way to transform and maximize your body.
Fitness for Women
The fitness industry often focuses on making women smaller rather than stronger. Yet weightlifting builds muscle, protects joints, and boosts metabolism. Adding it to cardio routines increases strength and independence without making you “bulky.”
Balanced Health Habits
The foundation of health is balanced nutrition. Diets are temporary; sustainable habits last. Avoid extremes, embrace moderation, and give yourself permission to enjoy food.
A 60/40 approach — healthy most of the time and relaxed some of the time — keeps your plan realistic and enjoyable. Choose foods and routines that make you feel good emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Loving Your Body
If you want to change your weight or fitness level, do it for yourself, not for others. Consistency built on self-respect endures far longer than motivation rooted in comparison.
Thoughts
To judge another person’s worth by how they dress is a fallacy. I love showing skin, and my clothing is never an invitation.
Women who hate their bodies were taught to. Love yourself and your body. Your self-worth is never equal to appearance.
Women owe no one beauty. You owe only yourself wholeness. Don’t let society or fleeting physical standards define your value.
They believe their beauty declines because a number increases.
I wish women could walk around shirtless like men — without being over-sexualized or ostracized. Nakedness shouldn’t be taboo. Inequality often reduces the female gender to an object of desire more than the male.
Women’s faces are not incomplete, unattractive, or unprofessional without makeup. You don’t need to try to be beautiful — you already are.
Women Are Powerful — But Not Because of Their Beauty
Note From the Author
Remember how valuable you are.
Never forget how special you are.
Remember how intelligent you are.
Never forget how unique you are.
Remember how strong you are.
Never forget how independent you are.
Remember how perfect you are as your natural self.
Never forget who you are — all these things and more
© 2017 Destiny S. Harris All Rights Reserved.