Beauty vs. Feminism

So, I've been having some guilt about my feminism and writing a blog (even if I'm the only one reading it) about liking beauty products. I'm going to attempt to work some of it out here. Let no one be mistaken, I am a feminist.

I feel rather conflicted about the entire issue. I like to feel pretty (obviously), I don't like to feel objectified and I certainly don't appreciate feeling bad about my body, how I look or anything else. So where am I at in all this? It's so hard to say. Do I have to pick between loving beauty products and fashion and loving feminism?

On the one hand: I feel that the fashion industry controls a lot of how women think about their bodies. It's not just that models are stick thin, it's that often, they are still children. They don't have women's bodies yet and over-sexualizing child-like forms is always wrong, in my book. I realize that some women are very thin, naturally and we should appreciate that, but most are not. These issues worry the crap out of my feminist self.


On the other: There's a lot of feminist rhetoric that seems to claim that liking beauty products and fashion disqualifies you from being a good feminist. While I understand that point of view, I also think that acceptance is the answer. Women who don't want to wear makeup are fine and beautiful and so are the ones who do -as long as we all feel good about ourselves. It's when we want to do these things to change ourselves into something we aren't or can't be that I feel afraid for women -including myself. Wishing to adorn ourselves doesn't have to be about objectification, it can be about celebration, instead. I especially appreciate when I see women creating, when fashion becomes art for everyday use. I don't like seeing fashion making women feel terrible and a lot of times it does.

So how does this problem resolve itself?

I can only say that I think what we all need is more love. It would be interesting to know what people would do if we agreed that healthiness all around is what we need. We need to take good care of ourselves inside our minds and bodies.

I believe a feminist can wear heels and lipstick. I also believe that if she doesn't want to, nothing should make her feel bad about it.

Additionally, I think knowledge is one of the most attractive features of all. So if you're interested in reading some killer stuff about the beauty industry and/or beauty products from any side of the issue, here are some reads I recommend:

Backlash, by Susan Faludi
The Beauty Myth, by Naomi Wolf
The Goddess Guide, by Gisele Scanlon
Stitched Up, by Stephanie Vermeulen
Fresh Lipstick, Linda M. Scott
My Mother's Wedding Dress, by Justine Picardie
Women Who Run With the Wolves, by Clarissa Pinkola Estes
Spinning Straw Into Gold, by Joan Gould


The last two are not about beauty, specifically, but I think they're amazing books about how women form perceptions about themselves. Empowering stuff. If you really enjoy the last two books you might consider The Bloody Chamber, by Angela Carter.

So I guess my promise is that I'll keep thinking about all of it. I hope we all will.