The beauty industry is a multi-billion dollar industry that, combined with social media, can elevate mood and introduce people to new products and experiences.
It can also foster a dangerous, subliminal comparative game that harms self-image, confidence, and body positivity. Of course, the beauty movement is nothing new, but social media allows it to reach a larger audience.
Madonna’s name comes up a lot when mentioning anything aging-related. The singer claims to avoid cosmetic surgery, yet her appearance at the Grammy’s negates that claim.
Myths swirl around the internet. Celebrities and models present hairless bodies and hair removal techniques, repping naked mole rats, while in reality, women have a lot of body hair.
One person shares that their figure doesn’t adhere to the pencil-thin look popularized by the media. Today, curves and shaped figures are more celebrated but not as appreciated.
Sizing ranges between stores, articles of clothing, and people. “They’re all made to be look at me / my physical attributes, and it makes me uncomfortable in public,” someone writes.
A few individuals shared their annoyance with society, wishing them to have button noses. However, a commenter shares a heartwarming story where her roommate advised her not to submit to societal standards and get a nose job.