DeepSummary
The episode begins with an ad from AT&T comparing connectivity to various aspects of life. It then transitions to a humorous conversation between Dessa, Cecily Bowen, and Alvaro Harin, imagining adding different environments to a playground. Dessa shares a personal anecdote about a magazine photo shoot where her eyes were accidentally glued shut by a makeup artist. The episode delves into the ethical complexities surrounding beauty practices, plastic surgery, and the societal pressures to conform to certain beauty standards.
The discussion explores the historical roots of plastic surgery, its transition from reconstructive procedures to aesthetic enhancement, and the influence of figures like Dr. Ivo Pitangui in Brazil, who promoted the idea of a "right to beauty." It examines the concept of "Instagram face," a homogenized beauty ideal perpetuated on social media, and the racial undertones of beauty standards that often prioritize Eurocentric features.
The conversation touches on topics such as the medicalization of perceived flaws, the commercialization of beauty, and the moral judgments associated with vanity and cosmetic interventions. It questions the empowerment narrative surrounding beauty products and practices, while also acknowledging the privileges and pressures that shape individual choices regarding appearance.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Beauty standards and practices are deeply rooted in societal norms and have historical origins tied to racial biases and colonialism.
- The concept of "Instagram face" and the homogenization of beauty ideals on social media platforms perpetuate Eurocentric features and cosmetic interventions.
- Plastic surgery transitioned from reconstructive procedures to aesthetic enhancement, blurring the line between medical necessity and cosmetic preference.
- Moral judgments and debates surrounding vanity, feminism, and the commercialization of beauty products shape individual choices and personal experiences.
- Beauty standards and practices are intertwined with various aspects of culture, politics, and societal values, extending beyond mere aesthetics.
- The empowerment narrative surrounding beauty products and practices is often questioned, as individual choices can contribute to broader cultural norms.
- Personal anecdotes and philosophical discussions highlight the complexities and contradictions inherent in navigating beauty ideals and practices.
- The privileges and pressures individuals face influence their perspectives and choices regarding appearance and cosmetic interventions.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “It's like, if colonization had a face, that's it. It would be an Instagram pile from a white woman.“ by Cecily Bowen
- “We'll use the word natural usually to refer to things that we want to say are good.“ by Claire Chambers
- “I don't think that we can detach beauty from any public facing aspect of culture, because beauty and desirability politics are always at play in terms of who we allow to be in the front.“ by Cecily Bowen
- “For me, I think that feeling empowering and being empowering are two different things.“ by Kelly McGinty
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Episode Information
Deeply Human
iHeartPodcasts/BBC/APM
4/29/22
Why are we so judgemental about how others beautify themselves?
Do you wear eyeliner? Dye your hair? Ever gone under a laser, needle, or knife? When it comes to beautification, how far do you think is too far? And why are there such strong moral overtones to our conversations about where to draw the line?
From Instagram Face to pretty privilege, the male gaze to “anti-feminism”, cultural appropriation to the capitalist machine - a tour of the cosmetic cuts surprisingly deep.
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