Cult-ure & Beauty

Cultural identity is defined as the enactment of conduct by individuals or group members that demonstrate group affiliation and  understanding of what it takes to be a group member and the ability to perform social practices of remembering in a way that is deemed appropriate or acceptable to some degree by group members.

Cultural identity theory reflects the ontological assumption that individuals enact multiple cultural identities constituted in and through discourse with others.This is to say that we are all influenced by each other, after all America is a melting pot. If this is to be true, then why are we so divided? Why are black woman judged so harshly?

Beauty Culture is a site that captures beauty in the eye of the cut-edge stylists, photographers and filmmaker’s lens. This site gives notice to the cult in beauty culture. Upon their creative quest, they capture both conventional and unconventional looks. The artists discuss their mission to capture, reshape or challenge the prevailing vision of feminine ideals. The site encourages conversations to explore the billion dollar industry.  

The picture above represents a portrayal of black women in media. Yes, of course not everyone thinks this but  the picture speaks for itself.  To the right is a  scale of attractiveness and the rate was mighty low for the black race.

I love the website Madame Noire, it a positive place where ethnic women can get advise on make-up, hair, beauty products/trends and a whole lot more entertainment.

This is interesting because when I’m around certain ethic groups I automatically feel connected to a sisterhood. When it pertains to culture in particular  this site definitely makes me  want to embrace the African American culture. I am not attracted to race, I am attracted to positive uplifting people. 

(Make-up)

Pressure To Become Beautiful - Ugly Betty

America's value of media marketing - the "sex sells" idea has become an excuse to blame and stigmatize those who are less privileged to have a certain 'look.'  In this culture that assumes anyone can achieve the American dream, I question: Why is everyone on the cover of the fashion magazine look alike? How come hot topics are always about weight and physical beauty? These questions motivated me to analyze American perceptions of beauty through a popular sitcom called Ugly Betty.

Ugly Betty

Ugly Betty was aired on ABC for four seasons. It centers Betty Suarez who is a 22-year-old Mexican American woman from Queens, New York. She is portrayed as an unattractive but optimistic secretary at a fashion magazine company. If she ran a campaign, the slogan would be 'do not judge the book by its cover." This sitcom gained a widely public recognition when the show won a Golden Globe award for best comedy and Betty (America Ferrera) won an Emmy in its first season. As a personal fan, I was stimulated and agitated at the same time by watching Betty's discrimination purely based on her physical appearance.  I was stimulated by the fact that the main reason she got hired was because her unattractive appearance would not cause a distraction for her fellow male employees. I was agitated when Betty would be often discouraged in pursuing her career goals because others' judgments of her beauty.  

This sitcom stands out from other typical shows because it embodies how beauty is made up by someone's measure. It openly shows about cosmetic procedures, Photoshop retouching and other inorganic means to achieve to appear beautiful. I was shocked when characters were ashamed of themselves because their clothing were out of the trend.  I think the audience can all find commonality along with Betty's dilemma between keeping her original identity and going with the flow of the culture.
Unlike the typical ending which the main character gets a transformative makeover, Betty is consistently  fighting internally and externally to reveal more of true herself. In these adversities, Betty is more or so courageous and gains a positive and solid identity.  This is perhaps why many would find her inspirational.  

According to a sociologist W. Phillips Davison, who said that the Third-People Effect assumes that people perceive mass communicated messages to have a greater influence on others than on themselves. For example, even if people watch sexual and violent contents, they are less likely to be affected than others who watch it. If I apply this hypothesis to watching Ugly Betty, this is what I concluded.   The Ugly Betty viewers might presume that others are more likely to accept their natural beauty however, they will still keep their old mindset and follow the 'hottest trend' as before.

 Media is a powerful messenger and yet, we still see a very narrow pool of individuals that embody similar  physical characteristics. It is critical that we are aware of messages that it send out to us. Ugly Betty was an example of a media tool that introduced a new and creative perspective of beauty. However, it still seemed as though talent and personal integrity are undervalued.

Make Up

Closer to perfection

When I went online to check my email, there were trending topics and this barbie girl caught my attention. There is Russian super model by the name of  Valeria Lukyanova, who has transformed her self to look just like a barbie. When I looked at the picture, I thought it was a  picture of toy barbie. The twenty-one year old model looks unreal. She had to have spent a lot of time and money to create that look, although she claims that's the way God made her. It could be true, it's not impossible to be a replica.

But why would someone want to look like a barbie? Perhaps because barbie does have a promising career. A career path in barbie land ranges from but is not limited can being a  teacher, librarian, mom, wife, flight attendant, doctor, nurse, veterinarian so on an so forth. She also has loving friends and family. And of course above all else she perfect body: breast, butt, lisps, eyes and smile.  Why wouldn't you want to imitate barbie, she has the perfect  life in an unreal world.

There was a television show called Extreme Make Over that aired  ABC in 2002 . The premise was to reconstruct someone face into looking beautiful.  A woman literally went from looking like a swan to a beautiful looking princess. Here is a clip below showing her transformation.

People are obsessed with perfection. I bet after all the invested time, Valeria Lukyanova, and the lady above  still doesn't think that they are perfect. According to the American Psychological Association, people who have gotten plastic surgery are happy, but have effects later on in life.

(Make -up)

Weekly Feature!

True Beauty Spotlight: Ann Curry

Ann Curry is a respected television journalist that reports global news. She was a correspondent for Dateline and The Today Show on the NBC network. Ann Curry is the cover girl of the week because she is an international sensation. She represents culture and beauty at its finest. She has mirrored a successful career path that anyone can aspire to follow. She is beautiful and smart, what more can you ask for.


Known For: NBC the Today Show reporting international and national news. 
 
Career Highlight: She received an Emmy for reporting the big earthquake in California, pipeline explosion in San Bernardino and NBC Nightly News about Dafur.
 
Fun Fact: She bungee jumped off a bridge.

Charities: Save  the children and AmeriCares.

Natural Hair

In media today there has been big trend in the African American community to go natural. Could it be the fact that there is a black family in the white house? Is there a movement of black power? It seems as though ever since there has been a positive representation of a healthy black family in the white house, African Americans are inspired or  feel more confident to be proud in their own skin. This sensation or condition is enabling the natural hair movement. I want to make it clear that going natural verses getting a perm or relaxed hair is not a right or wrong decision. However wearing you're natural hair I believe is the best way to go for health and economical reasons. 

Minorities for decades have been going through unyielding extremes to have straight hair.  We suppress and put ourselves through discomfort just to look susceptible not just to corporate America, but white people in general. For example, there's this Brazilian blow out which is harmful chemicals that are put into little girl’s hair, so that their hair can be straighten. White people aren't perming their hair. White girls wear weaves  or hair extensions and add a couple shades of color to their hair. They're not putting theses harsh chemicals in their hair, they simply wash and go.  

I want to make reference to Madam C.J. Walker for inventing the pressing comb, the idea behind that was for black people to have easier manageable hair. She became a millionaire for creating several types of hair care products specifically for the hair care maintenance. My question is why are African Americans so focus in the straightening of the hair instead of the growth process. Why do we spend so much time and money on our hair? In 1998, $150 million was spent on men's hair care products and $400 million was spent on women’s permanents and hair straighteners. In the African American community, black hair care alone is a $9 billion industry. That's a lot of money just for hair. 

Media has influenced us to believe that black people’s hair in nappy and out of control. That is so crazy to me because it’s actually influenced black people to believe the same thing.  It has gotten to the point that we are condition to believe that there’s something wrong with the way our hair naturally grows out of our head. So that is why I’m encouraging the natural hair movement. What’s ridiculous is that I am calling it a movement. What’s so momentous about natural hair? Overall message for this beauty breaker blog is love yourself and to have self-acceptance. By not chemically relaxing one’s hair, it brings you a step closer to achieving that goal.


This was a clip on MSNBC with Dr. Melissa Harris- Perry having the talk bringing in the awareness of the issue of natural hair verses relaxed hair on her show which airs Saturday's and Sunday's from 10 to 12 pm Eastern time.

This is video that illustrates part 1 and 2 of the topic

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Are You the One Who Also Obssessed with Good Looking Body

Since our blog deals with general beauty, not only physical appearances are considered but also body shapes  as well. People are obsessed with owning a good looking body.

Many would agree that obesity is one of the most urgent social issue in United States. In my opinion, it is more problematic how the media portrays the standards of beauty and weight.  The Yahoo's Opinion section, an article 'The Unrealistic Portrayal of Women in the Media' explains further. There are two main issues of media potrayal body image that I want to discuss today. 

First of all, media like the weekly magazine such as Life & Style highly promotes losing weight by showing tall, skinny, glamorous females and tall, muscular, handsome males. Now people become accustomed to these kinds of images and even diet pill company advertising their pills as a way of losing weight in the fastest way although models recommend exercise when going on a diet. Do you really think Miranda Kerr has been back to her skinny body just six months after giving birth by taking diet pill? See what she really says on MailOnline. 

Also, emphasizing slim body on media influences greatly on population of anorexia or bulimia. According to HealthyPlace, they put individual's life at risk because they  both destroy individual's health and mental. For healthier yourself, take enough nutrition and get exercise. You should not be tempted by media outlets. As Miranda Kerr said, losing weight without exercise never happens. However, don't forget about this too! You don't have to lose a lot of weight and be as skinny as models in the media. If you are satisfied with yourself and are healthy, don't overly stress yourself about losing weight.

Second, female are subjected to sexuality in media especially in music videos, movies, magazines, or commercials. Check The Construction of Female Sexuality in the Media to see how females are portrayed in the media these days. However, men also have an increasing amount of pressure to be muscular and handsome.  Abecrombie&Fitch and Holister ads, the ads are pointless. Even though they are clothing brands, they are only showing how sexy the models are and make them shirtless instead of showing actual clothes. 

This video Killing Us Softly 3 is related to both first and second major points

The video by Jean Kilbourne, a feminist author, speaker, and filmmaker, talks about how media portrays female as a sexuality and how that impacts minds of people especially teens. She says change needs to happen by striving for a new culture, where the public is educated and think of themselves as citizens, not consumers. For further and newer information, check her Killing Us Softly 4..  

In conclusion, I believe that there is not one 'right' body shape or size.  It can vary depending on person's ethnicity, environment, and eating habit. We should not heavily rely our values on physical appearance. No one is less or more valuable than others because of the physical appearance.

Honest Ads

Let's take a look at this video ad affiliated with  Dove. This short clip says a whole lot about what little girls go through in just seconds. This clip illustrates that little girls are subjected to start thinking about body images such as weight, hair make-up, sexuality, promiscuity and the like. This little cute red headed girl's focus should be about going to school and having recess, she looks as if she is eight years old. Media should not be prepping her to decide whether or not to get a nose job or breast implants. The media is on the hunt to get little kids first and the parents second. Advertiser know that a happy child equals happy parent.

Advertiser has had falsified images for decades now, specifically pertained to beauty ads. blah blah blah. We consumers ought to hold them accountable and we can do so by not buying into these false ads. Elle Magazine the UK edition, which is a global magazine, has featured its first magazine ad without being air brushed. The beauty ad is called Make Up Forever, it is advertising high definition foundation make-up. I would like to highlight Elle Magazine for being the stepping stone to finally expose a non-air brushed beauty ad.