| > 24 march 03 'image is [part of] everything' as a woman, i know about the struggle between striving for beauty perfection and staying grounded in your natural physical and facial gifts. men have it so lucky [and they know it too, darn them] because they don't have to face the fashion, makeup and hair ordeals that females do. my sister and i were watching a program on television on the evolution of the beauty industry that was quite fascinating. we've come a long way. though the hype is still the same, the promise of perfection echoes of the past; the glossy pages in magazines still smiling [screaming] at us, the models still as beautifully perfect as those of yesteryear. and society is still eating it all up - and that includes me. i'm only 20, but i do whatever i can to slow down the aging process by purchasing products that cleanse, rejuvenate, soften, smooth, and firm my face and body in every way. i buy expensive face and hair products [lancome and paul mitchell are favourites] on a consistent basis to achieve the look i desire. [i find it funny how much money and effort is spent on getting that 'natural' look and my father says i look the same anyway. grr.] why do women [and some men] go so far for something so superficial? i guess it's built within us to want to look better than how we did when we first woke up, and the thought that a better looking you will attract a mate. and of course media is to blame as well. i think that if we weren't bombarded with images of gorgeous celebrities and flawless models around every turn, we probably would not mind if we happened to forget our lipstick that day. and yet, when you really think about it, as beautiful as one may look, only half the battle's been won. i work with a very attractive woman who dresses stylishly and has a tanned, toned figure. yet, she's still unmarried and her personality leaves much to be desired. in high school, i used to look at the simple looking and the athletic girls who never wore makeup and wonder where their popularity came from. it occured to me later that they had wonderful confidence in themselves and radiated with a different kind of beauty. as i've grown older, an attractive, confident woman from the once shy, insecure girl, i have grasped that truth and held onto it. it's amazing how a genuine smile from an average girl can light up the room - and overpower the great beauty of a model who sulks in her chair. i just had my hair relaxed the other day, and my stylist did an amazing job. within those two hours, she created the look of shiny, straight hair i didn't think possible on my unruly hair. yet, walking out of the salon, as much as i loved the look, i realized that i looked great [better even, according to my family] with my thick, curly hair. strange irony, isn't it? we always want what we don't have, and sometimes when you gain it, you love it and it fits; in my case though, i learned that what i thought i hated really was an intricate part of my look and personality. so, i'll take advantage of my straight hair until it fades and then switch back to curly probably. in learning this lesson, i could have saved a good $60 bucks in the first place, but it's all for the sake of beauty, right? |
 |
 |
| images from advertisements from 'vogue' + 'vanity fair' |