How to Be a Better Human How to embrace – and challenge – the idea of “beauty” (w / Elise Hu)
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Jun 12, 2023 
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Childhood Origin Of Beauty Desires
- Elise Hu recalls being told as a child she needed a "double eyelid" and internalized a desire to look more white.
- Seeing an actress on VHS helped her realize who she was "supposed" to look like.
Moving To Seoul Revealed Appearance Pressure
- Elise moved to Seoul in 2015 with her family after an NPR posting and lived there four years.
- Living in Korea made her instantly aware of how much appearance dictates social judgement.
Beauty Culture As A Form Of Labor
- Elise defines beauty culture as tying appearance to moral and professional worth like diet culture.
- This framing makes appearance labor feel like required, valuable work rather than optional grooming.