Beauty Hack: Perception, Pageants, Products and Profit

 LIPSTICK: A poem

You were just a child, a girl, a boy.

You felt pretty, nonetheless, you were not so concerned about it.

You used to be a pure canvas- authentic, pure, untainted.

Until that canvas lost it ’s innocence, you set out in this jungle- hunting success, you wake up asleep and you partook into their protein laden feast, seeking for your inner peace.

You mimicked their movements with care, what is beautiful? It must be hiding somewhere on your face.

Cleanse, exfoliate, and mask, A toner’s up next in this beauty task

Primer sets the stage, foundation lays, Concealer hides flaws in subtle ways. Bronzer to warm, powder to set, Blush for cheeks, never forget.

Same products with different names, tearing you up in this business game.

Dieting, starving you strive to be lean,

Building muscles in a quest to be seen, Elder’s wisdom ignored, as new trend wins.

In the digital realm, this comparison extends

Through screens you peer, seeking trends.

Each scroll a reminder- you are alone.

In this endless quest, you’re essence is still unknown.

Beauty is described as a feature that makes objects pleasurable to perceive.  It can be anything from beautiful sunsets to captivating art, and even the human form.

 If you are not aware about this beauty is actually one of the main subjects of aesthetics which is a branch of philosophy. Aesthetics explores what makes things beautiful and why we find them pleasing.  Beauty is seen as a positive aesthetic value to it’ s negative counterpart which is (guess what) ugliness.

One of the most talked-about aspects of beauty is the human form. (I mean) This fascination has led to the creation of a billion-dollar industry. People can go to great lengths to reach these beauty standards.

As an interesting creatures, our way of defining beauty is influenced by how we experience life through our five senses. And I think, in this procedure – the visual aspect is really exaggerated.

ATTRACTIVENESS RELATION TO BEAUTY

Physical attractiveness is the degree to which a person's physical features are considered aesthetically pleasing. Now common factors contributing to personal attractiveness could be cultural, social and individual subjective preferences.

· Like in Korean culture, white skin is more desirable.

· And in western societies ,these days- bigger buttocks with slender waist are more desirable.
Besides these, karl grammar identified eight "pillars" of beauty: youthfulness, symmetry, averageness, sex-hormone markers, body odor, motion, skin complexion, and hair texture. And if you observe a little closer beauty industry heavily revolves around, targeting these factors.

BUSINESS: TRUE FACE OF BEAUTY PAGEANTS

I tell you something everything in this world is a business.

Now the last year, the global cosmetics market size was valued at USD374.18 billion ( I said billions, you heard that right.) let me give you a little example- you are aware of the beauty pageants, right?

While beauty pageants publicly emphasize the virtues of fairness, talent, and inner beauty, of course they had portrayed that way, they know we are sentimental.

Beauty pageants are used as platforms to launch and promote beauty products, thus boosting market presence. The selection of winners is often influenced by the interests of major cosmetics brands looking to expand their business in emerging countries. You don’t believe me right, just take a look at the list of last 10 years miss universe title holders.

I give you an example of my country- India, in 1966 Reita Faria was the first Indian women to win miss world, then in 70s and 80s we do not have a single winner from India at international beauty pageants and there is a reason behind it, at that time India was a closed economy then in 1991 India became open economy and after that- we had Sushmita Sen, Aishwarya rai, Diana Hayden, Yukta Mookhey, Priyanka Chopra, Lara Dutta as Indian winners. Now, I am not saying that these women were not capable of these titles, they are exceptionally beautiful, intelligent women even I admire. But we cannot deny the fact that cosmetic industry's economic interests is a critical factor in determining these winners. 

Beauty, while a concept deeply rooted in human perception and cultural standards, has become a powerful force within the global economy. From historical trends to modern-day beauty pageants, the commercialization of beauty plays a significant role in shaping our ideals. Though these industries promote certain standards of attractiveness, it's important to recognize that true beauty extends beyond physical appearance, and individuality should be celebrated over mass-marketed ideals.

The Silent Burden: Redefining Self-Worth for Future Generations

Since the dawn of time, women—the life-givers—have been targeted, scrutinized, and shaped by external forces. From the very first woman until now, this targeting persists, and it will continue as long as we walk this earth. We are told how to walk, how to speak, and most of all, how to look. Even in the 21st century, I see mothers passing their own insecurities onto their daughters. I see women, young and old, consumed by endless dissatisfaction with their appearance.

But do we ever pause to reflect on the body we inhabit? This body, the product of thousands of generations, crafted by history and nature. How can we so easily wish to change it? Social media, while offering spaces of comfort, also sets impossible standards. We watch celebrities preach self-love, yet they follow trends that contradict their own words.

And in all this, who suffers the most? It is the child, whether woman or man, who grows up trapped in this matrix of illusion. The notion of self-love feels elusive—there will always be something we don't like about ourselves. But perhaps that’s what life is. If we can embrace our positive qualities, why can’t we also find acceptance for the flaws we deem negative?

It’s time we reshape our beliefs. Only then can the next generation heal, finding a true sense of self in this world of contradictions.