Some women find some practices empowering, or they just enjoy them. But this illusion of choice is a big one and i heard from listeners who were kind of all over the map with this issue. Are we doing make up for ourselves? Use we enjoy the art of it, even if it's art that we wash off? Or do we enjoy doing it because it's empowering? And why do men feel empowered without make up? Like shouldn't our actual faces just be enough?
We love it. We hate it. BEAUTY CULTURE.
Looking good can make us feel decorated, empowered and more confident -- but why?
And why are certain groups subtly told to "make-up" for their appearance?
What's the line between self-care and oppression?
Psychologist and beauty-researcher Dr. Renee Engeln shines a huge bright floodlight on the sometimes ugly machinery of the billion-dollar beauty and "fitness" industry. This is an episode for make-up lovers, haters and the millions of us confused about being both at once. It's also an opportunity for dudes to learn just how how skewed the standards are. Buckle up -- this ologist will change the way you see the world, others and hopefully, yourself.
Dr. Renee Engeln's work
"Beauty Sick," the book
More episode sources & links
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Sound editing by Steven Ray Morris
Theme song by Nick Thorburn