Yet another one on beauty and image

A previous post delved on self-image, body image and the attraction of imitating (or aspiring for) the "perfection" of models in the media. It's not only adolescents who fall into the tendency to have their standard of beauty dictated by what media present; women of all ages, especially those who don't realize their innate worth that has nothing to do with shape, size and color, can look too much to manufactured images to anchor their self-esteem on.

While we ought to take care of our physical well-being and strive to look our best, too, real beauty -- which has more to do with doing good than looking good -- is what's worth aiming for.

Dove's campaign is one positive presence. Check this out --

Commercial explores photo manipulation of models
Before and after pictures expose dramatic changes and conception of beauty
Thursday, October 12, 2006
by Spero News

Dove soaps continues their North American "Campaign for Real Beauty" advertising with a television commercial that explores the alterations that can be done on models.

Labeled "a Dove film", the commercial is entitled "evolution". Beginning with a woman walking into a photo shoot. From there, she is primped and plucked by hair and makeup artists, then tweaked on a Photoshop-like program.

The photo-manipulation is then posted on a billboard for the fictional "Easel Foundation Makeup" brand. Two young, teenage girls walk past, glancing at the board.

"No wonder our perception of beauty is distorted" ends the ad in text, "Every girl deserves to feel beautiful just the way she is."

Full article at Spero News