If we took a step back, we would realize a lot of, if not all, of beauty culture is completely manmade. Obviously, all of the makeup and hair products didn’t just magically appear. But even the simplest ideas of vanity, like a mirror, are considered to be absurd by the earliest civilizations. So how has society become so warped with self-image? How have we strayed so far from what our ancestors believed in?
Looking Good Is In
In the earliest days of civilization, humans walked planet Earth completely unaware of their features. Nowadays, we can’t ever leave the house without checking ourselves twice in the mirror. In our homes, cars, the bathroom or even on our phones, we can’t pry ourselves away from the reflection.
It seems like even before social media, taking care of appearance began to kickstart a generational wave, especially for women. Basic hygiene became a privilege which then evolved into investing in simple things, such as hair and makeup. Fashion trends have come and gone, enhancing body types and keeping up with the newest look. It became something most people, to this day, become so excited for. Getting ready for the day is a mandatory step in almost everyone’s routine.
Ego Death
It seems like social media is to blame for so many problems nowadays, but in this case, technology has turned vanity into a very delicate subject. Discourse of self-worth online has both improved self-esteem and killed it for many.
New makeup looks circulate on TikTok constantly. The “glow-up” trends force girls to find things about their appearance that they need to work on. This began creating new insecurities daily for people to concern themselves over, further pushing things like eating disorders and self-harm onto younger generations.
Additionally, there is a great presence of it-girl celebrities, like the Kardashian family that showcase adding and buying more to “look better.” Plastic surgery, hair extensions, acrylic nails, the list goes on and on.
The Reminder
In no way, shape or form is VALLEY discouraging or undermining ways to invest in your appearance today. Times have changed. This generation collectively cares about looking good and feeling good. Surgery and filler have benefited lots of people, giving women the chance to invest their own money and time into how they choose to look. And what could possibly be better than a fresh manicure and blowout?
However, if we think back to how society functioned before the makeup, surgery and technology, it’s almost insane to remember how easier things were. People didn’t have to worry about if they had “iPhone face” or “runner’s butt.” They could walk out into the world and feel excited about what the day had in store rather than if others could see their under-eye bags or wide ribcage.
Our bodies and beings exist for one reason: to live. This world wasn’t made to show off different types of bodies, highlighting the “worst” or “best” types. We don’t need to concern ourselves over our forehead size or how our noses curve. The different terminology and slang have gone to all of our heads, forcing us to think we’re not “good enough” to walk out of our houses because of how we appear to ourselves and others.
When the first human ever walked on planet Earth, they were never thinking about how their face looked. Humans were never actually supposed to see themselves. The opportunity we have to look at and embrace our physical being in a mirror should be seen as a gift we can appreciate, not something to dread or pick at.
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