We are the real fashion victims, defenceless and permanently exposed to adverts that lower our self-esteem and create “problems” with the way we look to sell us their “solutions”. Our appearances judged and ridiculed by an unseen board of judges who “know” what “beautiful” looks like. Everyone is a contestant in this everyday beauty pageant we call our everyday lives. What good does beauty do?
From the moment we wake we are brainwashed and demoted to an ordinary and insignificant member of this world of vanity. We eat our breakfasts, with the option of choosing the low fat” special K” cornflakes. The box has an immaculate woman on the front with a desirable figure every woman is meant to aim for in order to be seen as beautiful and sexy. As we saviour our bland and demoralising meal,we read the newspapers or perhaps a magazine; our eyes captivating hundreds of images of the ideal appearance. After realising that our own bodies are pale in comparison, we make sure our hair is perfectly straightened before even comprehending the outfit we shall wear or how to have our makeup. At the mirror we compare our visage and wrinkles to the hundreds of other woman we have already seen today before trying to conceal as many flaws as we can. We sit in shame at our unworthiness. Before we leave we begin trying on various outfits and failing to look as toned or slim as we wish. We “make do” and put on the garments that look the best on ourselves but are just not good enough. We surrender and leave the house knowing we are not as radiant as the many people we see on the TV and realise that our wrinkles are only deepening. We travel to work passing hundreds of advertisements on the way, another reminder of our imperfections we didn’t know we has until they were pointed out to us. And the day has begun as bitter as the Coffey and as vain as the billboards intend.
There is a saying that flaws shall forever remain beautiful. A freckled face is unique and spectacular, a head of curly hair is lively and full of volume and isn’t a laughter line just character to a smiling face? Yet a person with deep extraordinary eyes can replace them with coloured contacts, because apparently blue eyes are better than brown. How fickle. Our own perception on beauty has been distorted and we are the products of a manipulating business world that makes us loathe our unique and rapturous selves for the simple, cold aim of making a profit.
We have entered the 21st century, a time for outstanding technology and science to progress beyond the belief of those who lives a hundred years ago. We know far more about cosmetic technology and so can create improved products that are far more efficient. Our lipsticks stay on for longer and make our lips physically bigger whilst our waterproof foundations conceal any freckle or blemish the eye can see. Even the most minor alterations can be achieved with products such as eye whiteners, nail files, cuticle creams and spot sticks. Our bodies can also be altered with cosmetic surgery to help us with our stomachs which are slightly larger than we wish or breasts which aren’t quite the perfect size and shape. These many million methods of self improvement are mass produced and packaged onto store shelves, promising to help us become immaculate. Would we have accepted and loved ourselves if we had no option for such a drastic change?
We are also bombarded with millions of product advertisements for hair treatment, diet pills, makeup and skincare products, the list appears almost infinite. These ready made “solutions” constantly thrust towards us that are said to demolish or conceal our imperfections and thus aiding our newly gained insecurities or low self esteem until we recognise yet another flaw upon ourselves. it’s a never thirst for impeccable faultlessness.
We cover spots up with foundation. Foundation that clogs pores and created more spots to cover. In turn we purchase more foundation and now in addition, some spot treatments. We camouflage our wrinkles with a mixture of creams and lotions, which in turn only fill the dents and widen them.We are making ourselves ugly by wearing makeup, and then cover up these flaws with more purchases. We have lost logic to our need for beauty. And how many teenagers suffer from eating disorders or low self esteem? The Impact of societies’ vanity has became overwhelming. We create our own imperfections.
Actors with glossy hair and gleaming teeth entertain us in the evenings. Their fashionable clothes and incredible faces are flaunted in front of us on these tall, small-wasted women. Its impossible not to compare yourselves to these God-like beings. However, we are unfortunately naive. Not only are these image icons picked out and have their entire outside metamorphosed by a team of the best image consultants, they are then filmed and airbrushed until they appear so perfect they no longer resemble the naturally appealing humans they once were. These alien, pour-less faces stare back at us and make us feel unworthy. Of course we cannot compare to something so artificial and unreal.
Do we not also reinforce this vain and critical lifestyle? We are permanent commentators on appearance. We notice everything, from greasy hair to un-plucked eyebrows and relish in pointing these tiny defects to the others around us. We relish another’s downfall as it means we are surrounded by others facing the same image tribulations. And when somebody reaches our high standards? We merely feel jealous or lowlier. We have became hypocritical arrogant beings, self-obsessed and searching others with a keen eye.
We are left, desperately reaching for a false, unobtainable beauty, with nothing but our products and minuscule respect for ourselves. As the love for ourselves rapidly diminishes, the business world thrives on our insecurities and the money we have aimlessly spent in this cycle. Money that in no doubt, will fund the next product launch or advertising campaign. And what shall we do about this? I don’t know, but I need to carry out my skincare routine before I get my beauty sleep.
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