Changing Standards...  − 25 April, 2008

So growing up, it seemed the ideal image of beauty was very “white bread”/Barbie. Tall, buxom and blonde. That’s what all the models and movie stars were. There were very few brunette beauties, let alone ethnic-looking women seen as cover models or celebrities. Over the last fifteen years or so, that has changed – for the better, I might add – and now the beauty “ideal” is much more variable, and I can’t argue with that.
Certainly, the tall buxom blondes are attractive, but now we look at women like Iman, Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian and call them beautiful too.
The interpretation of “pretty” has broadened considerably, and has incorporated some features that had been ridiculed back in the day… I remember when full lips were called “puffy” and not thought of as attractive – now the media (much to the delight of most men) views full lips as “sexy” – think Angelina Jolie or Michelle Pfeiffer. Another featured maligned in the past – the full derriere. I remember growing up, women wanted a small, flat butt and would work out just to get rid of it. Now, with celebs like J. Lo and Kim Kardashian, have made a big booty “booty-licious.” Again, had we asked men what they like, we would’ve heard praise for a generous behind for years… This is good news for me, of course. I have both afore-mentioned assets, and when I was younger, I felt unattractive as they were not the “ideal” of beauty. Now I am thankful and even a little cocky about it.
I have always found beauty in people that others might not look at twice. Smiles, especially, can make “ordinary” people simply stunning. I have seen it time and again. There are also some folks who radiate an attractive “vibe” – whether it is that “SA” (Sex Appeal) hormone some men and women have, or that really honest-to-goodness-GOOD-person vibe, it makes them attractive. I have a friend (OK, I am an Aquarius, I have a TON of friends) who is an older woman who gives off such a GOOD vibe, I was instantly attracted to her as a friend. I can’t help but smile around her, and she is truly beautiful to me. Funny, but my dogs also LOVE her – so either they are picking up on her vibe or my reaction to it. And the vibe has proven itself accurate, since I met her, she has been an amazing friend to me – supportive and kind and THERE. Despite the fact that geographically, we are several hours away.
I see all my friends as beautiful in one way or another – and I consider myself blessed to have them in my life.
Of course, I also like looking at the multitude of beautiful people in the media. It’s like art appreciation to me. I am not jealous (usually!), but I like feasting my eyes on gorgeousness. Sometimes I am envious of certain features *I* would like to have – like that cute little nose, or green eyes – but overall, I am happy with the way I look. I am beautiful to some people, I think.
It’s nice to see many ethnicities represented, too – there are beautiful women (and men) everywhere and it’s nice to see a sampling of the beauty our planet has to offer.
So I am glad our “standard” of beauty has changed (and is still evolving, I think) – it allows for so many more beautiful people to be appreciated, and empowers those who are not the “white bread” pretty that used to be the dominant image back in the day. Very few of us can match that, and whether or not we should, most of us look at the beautiful people and compare ourselves. It’s nice to have a more realistic picture to look at now…