I’m watching Famous Faces. Its the first time I’ve seen it but I’m pretty sure after only ten minutes I’ve worked out the premise. They get people who want plastic surgery to look like their favourite celebrity and follow their journey through their transformations. MTV claims that the contestants(?) already want it and they just document the whole thing.
I’m pretty shocked by this girl who wants to look like Carmen Electra. She is absolutely beautiful but she’s getting a nose job, breast implants, lip injections and she has the tiniest love handles so the doctor agreed to get a tiny bit of fat out of her sides with liposuction. I can’t believe this chick that is already so hot, is absolutely fucked with her body image and hates herself so much. She says her last boyfriend was really fucked up and ruined her self esteem, made her feel like she was the lowest and that since then she has always struggled to love herself.
So to try and hook the new guy in her life, who will sleep with her but not commit to her, she is getting breast implants to make herself more attractive to him. If thats not unhealthy I don’t know what is. And I’m telling you, this chick is stunning. A little bit fake looking, because she dresses herself and does hair and makeup to be Carmen Electra, but shes beautiful in a wholesome blonde American girl next door kinda way. Just watching her go through so much pain, both on the inside and outside with recovery, is horrible.
As far as I can tell, just after seeing the shorts for next weeks episode, all of these are about girls trying to get on the cover of Maxim. It really upsets me that for these girls to feel good about themselves, they morph themselves into breast implanted, fake nail wearing, hair extensioned promo girls. It reflects so much about society, when so many women are feeling the pressure to conform into this male pleasing image, and even carve into their bodies to make sure they have the sufficient breasts, lips or even vagina.
Anyway, I don’t have much to add. I just thought it was really sad these women thought they had to go through this to make themselves happy, when it was obvious that the problem lies within their egos and their own lack of self worth fueled by the impossible standards of beauty that magazines like Maxim create.
Tags: beauty, beauty standards, cosmetic surgery, face, famous faces, feminism, i want a famous face, maxim, mtv, plastic surgery
Streets On Fire 
November 7, 2008 at 1:29 am |
Media is to be blame for this kind of mentality. Media has gradually modified beauty.
While some people who decide to undergo the knife may already look great, there are many others who have been teased and taunted their entire life about their features. Not only do years of teasing and taunting take their toll on a person’s emotional well being, but a person who does not like something about themselves will also cause an emotional scar. Since who we are has a lot to do with our emotions, then it is safe to say that even the smallest procedure that effects our self esteem in a positive manor can outwardly make you seen as a whole new person. Isn’t it what it is all about, changing ourselves so not only we look better, but feel better as well?
November 7, 2008 at 1:57 am |
But we only feel bad because we are modelling ourselves against unrealistic expectations and conforming to the drive pushed by society that equates self worth with how attractive you are. Beauty fades, but whats inside doesn’t. Teasing and taunting are horrible but we have to push past what other people want us to be and look inside ourselves for peace. But I don’t know, perhaps sometimes fixing something you have hated your whole life is for the better? Its hard to figure out where its crossing the line.
November 7, 2008 at 8:18 am |
I’ve considered getting surgery. As i’m not too happy with the way I look. I don’t want implants of lipo or botox or whatever, I wanted to reduce my breast size because I never know whether or not guys are actually looking at me or at ‘them’. It’s something I’ve faced my whole life, it’s something i’m uncomfortable with yet so many women tell me I have a great figure and what they would give to have what I have. I don’t understand why they would. But I don’t even think I can afford a breast reduction surgery. Stuff it.
November 7, 2008 at 10:38 am |
This is always a difficult subject and goes much deeper than what I’m about to touch on here, but appearence is always an issue, we live in a culture that worships beauty, if not we wouldn’t have an entire industry built around models who’s only tangible skill is to wear clothes and walk in a straight line, but they are gorgeous, or so we’re told and thats all thats required.
Even I’m not immune to it. Alright so I’m an okay looking bloke (or so I’m told) I’m not particularly muscular or tall but I still want to be better, being me isn’t good enough. I should be taller, more tanned, have a better body, have strighter, whiter teeth, better hair, a smaller nose, pin my ears and lengthen my cock. Why? Because pornography, the media and popular opinion tell me so, despite the fact I have no visible defects and actually fit the definition of healthy.
I’m with you Luli, beauty within far outweighs appearence, in time all that cosmetic surgery will still deteriorate, slip, decrease, fade. A brilliant mind, the ability to converse and a warm persoanality will stay with you so much longer. I’m going to pursue those options if thats okay with everyone else.
November 7, 2008 at 11:13 am |
The fashion/modeling industry’s insatiable desire for ‘beauty’ is repugnant. Whilst I don’t consider myself in any way handsome, I’m not going to actively seek costly plastic surgery to appeal to society; society is not my employer.
November 7, 2008 at 12:33 pm |
Frog – Breast reductions are sometimes good for a physical purpose, they stop backache and help your spine, but honey you’re very young and you might want to give it a couple of years till you grow into your body properly. You might have a foot to grow in height that will smooth out the curves and give you more proportion, you just never know. Anyway, I’m not one to judge and should shut my mouth, I buy into fashion just as much as the next girl and thats the same premise.
Kezza – Its hard not to feel that anxiety they give us from not being ‘perfect’. The worst thing is you know you’re doing it and you’re just playing into their hands, but so much of society does that you feel like you will be left behind if you don’t. I think you already have a lovely personality, but I’m going to do the same and try and make my inside me outshine the rest coz I won’t be attractive when I’m old!
Reuben – That’s a good point, what has society given back to us in exchange for buying into its anxiety and unhappiness? Bulemia, anorexia, skin cancer and so on. Not to mention an empty wallet.
November 7, 2008 at 12:54 pm |
…and an empty self-esteem department.
Tanning saloons…I forgot to add, really irritate me. I’d pay good money to see that industry go up in pieces.
November 7, 2008 at 12:59 pm |
I wouldn’t mind seeing them go down either, half of them are poorly run and don’t even meet the (minimal) health regulations that have been set for them.
November 7, 2008 at 1:34 pm |
But inner beauty isn’t something people gravitate to from the get-go; we just appreciate it afterwards, after we think the façade is hot and worth getting to know. Shit, we all do it to some extent.
Heard of the studies about mothers taking slightly better care of more attractive children than their less physically attractive ones? I would wager that most of your (anyone’s) better friends are people you think are physically attractive in some small way, even if it’s something that would never be acted upon. That’s not a criticism, just what I think naturally happens.
What I don’t like is that the thinking that physically more beautiful people are better people, more worthy. Some idiot like Jennifer Hawkins or Megan Gale would have a way bigger forum to talk about AIDS or Darfur or whatever than some egghead who has devoted his/her whole life to the subject.
(I think celebrity worship is one of the worst poisons in our society by the way, I despise it, but that’s just a P.S.)
November 7, 2008 at 7:11 pm |
Thats interesting Marty and I have heard of those studies. I actually can honestly say though, my best friends are my sisters and the rest of my close mates are both equally attractive or unattractive, our group is pretty diverse.
I think what your talking about is right, its ‘beauty privilege’ just like white privilege or male privilege, and its absolutely mindless and stupid. Some celebrities do a lot for causes because they have the money to be generous, but there are way more unnamed people who spend their lives fighting for causes thanklessly.
November 7, 2008 at 8:31 pm |
I kind of hate myself for it, but I gravitate towards attractive (read: those generic models on FHM) people more than “okay” looking people; I’d be more inclined to talk to them and start a casual conversation much more than I would usually feel. Or maybe because I’m such a horny teenager I just hit on anyone that has a pulse and looks attractive.
Then again, I have found that I’ve been attracted to just “okay” looking people than someone who looks stunning on the outside thanks to their personality. It’s true that a great personality will always stick in your head. And then there are always those little physical quirks that I’m attracted to eg. I like ears that stick out a little from their head:
I personally that the majority out there knows that a great personality will outlast really good looks, but I think some just have a bit of difficulty putting it past themselves.
November 8, 2008 at 11:29 am |
You can’t blame guys for this. There’s been so many studies into what guys find hot, and these are always in the newspapers, that show guys almost always prefer realistic looking woman to those stick figures in the magazines. It’s a fashion thing, not what guys are wanting.
Look at a lot of guys in magazines and fashion runways, ultra skinny or massively muscular, yet do you honestly find them to be the epitome of what you look for in male beauty??? Just because of a way a girl looks on a runway or a magazine doesn’t make it something guys want. These two mediums are almost entirely focused on a female customer demographic!
November 8, 2008 at 12:06 pm |
Wendy – You can’t help who you’re attracted to, and someone who is all dressed nicely and with their hair done is probably going to be someone you would talked to as opposed to someone looking dishevelled.
TDW – I’m not blaming men, they’re just as susceptible to this kind of pressure as Kezza was saying. I’m mostly blaming the industry, and its not really about appealing to men (well it is but not completely), these women have an overwhelming sense of inadequacy in themselves thats with them day to day. And its because they’re pitting themselves against models and thinking fuck, I’m not like that.
Something interesting I found out the other day was that women with breast implants are 3 times more likely to commit suicide. Isn’t that horrible! Anyway, I’m not trying to make a massive political statement or anything, I just felt sorry for those chicks, but I’m sure happens on a smaller level every day with a million girls.
November 8, 2008 at 4:45 pm |
It’s probably not that women with booby implants are more likely to commit suicide, rather that the kind of women who are more likely to commit suicide are more likely to get booby implants. Unless that’s what you were saying, then just hit me for trying to be a smartypants.
November 8, 2008 at 5:47 pm |
Lol, yeah that was what I was saying, we’re on the same page.
November 8, 2008 at 9:28 pm |
towards the show, I think it’s really fucked up and the people need counseling or something. Because changing your physical appearance is one thing, but changing yourself to look like someone else is just messed up.
as for the beauty thing, I don’t think it’s that much of a big deal. Lots of people put make-up on. ooo are they some sort of conformist trying to please society? No, they’re trying to please themselves. Plastic surgery is a little more complex than this, but usually in the right circumstances it’s pretty much the same deal. Someone wants to have breast implants, let them please themselves, society is just a bonus that comes with it.
November 9, 2008 at 3:12 pm |
Yeah Domino, I think they need a bit of therapy too. Like the one chick who wanted fat out of her ‘love handles’ there was clearly nothing there and the doctor was a bit hesitant. She obviously has a distorted self image and I thought that was a symptom they’re supposed to pick up on.
Thats what I was saying before, I buy into fashion too, its just difficult drawing the line between whats healthy and whats too much.
November 9, 2008 at 9:33 pm |
Wear whatever you want, colour your hair, pierce your lip, tattoo your forehead, wear high heels, put makeup on, spray deodorant in delicate places, and get bigger boobies if you want to. I forgot my point.
November 9, 2008 at 9:55 pm |
You just wanna talk about boobies.
November 10, 2008 at 12:02 am |
Well, yeah.
November 10, 2008 at 12:09 am |
Another good bit of writing, LuLi.
Image is such a terrible burden for everyone now. “Looking good” has always been there, but never has it been so imperative as in the last few generations to the current generation.
Sometimes when I’m in the newsagents and I find myself standing in front of the lad’s mags or the fashion mags, I have to remind myself, “It’s not reality, it’s not real! They’re airbrushed and have fake tits, while mine are real!”
It’s difficult though, because that’s often all we have to compare ourselves (and our friends) to.
It’s screwed up.
November 10, 2008 at 1:17 am |
It all boils down to self-esteem and confidence. If one feels that she/he lacks these, there is a need to compensate it by improving their looks. I agree to Bron that it is such a terrible burden. For one, the cost of such surgeries (cosmetic surgeries) are atrociously expensive. But then again, these surgeries does not guarantee an improved outlook in life. It may superficially modify the way people treat you, but in the long run one will realize that it is not all about looks after all.
November 10, 2008 at 12:34 pm |
Bron – Thanks, I think its pretty screwed too.. Imagine how much easier life would be if you had a fulltime stylist, hair dresser and make up artist. Its hardly fair. As a society we are so much more image driven than we used to be.
Den – Yeah, I think you’re right. The outside can change and it might help a bit, but you still have to work through your insecurities on the inside. Otherwise you may run into troubles further down the track when you’re too old to be pretty!
November 11, 2008 at 1:04 am |
Too old to be pretty… 🙂 Yeah, everyone else will grow old and soon that beauty will fade out. We can’t be physically beautiful for the rest of our lives.
November 12, 2008 at 9:08 pm |
i think natural beauty more important…we just have to make it more pretty with small effort like simple make up…’
not Surgery…
well,now,what do you think more important today?inner or outer beauty?
November 12, 2008 at 10:04 pm |
Den – Unless we get botox!
Athika – I think you’re right, natural looking make up is always the best. I think today society values outer beauty more, but we could do with more inner beauty. 🙂
November 22, 2008 at 7:22 am |
The real question: regardless of who’s to blame, are you happy with your appearance? If you’re 80% happy, seriously move forward – there’s a lot to this life – don’t spend it obsessing!
If you’re less than 80% satisfied, what specific things bother you? Are you being rational about those problem areas? Have you asked “real” friends their honest opinion? If you’ve actually visited a cosmetic surgeon, did you ask for an aesthetic assessment before telling them what bothers you? If so, did they focus on the areas that you’ve already identified?
Most improvement can be made by eating healthier, getting more rest and exercising. Then, there are those areas that need a little help – simple small things like relaxing specific facial muscles to reduce wrinkles.
Our advise is to listen to your friends, stop obsessing and enjoy living! As you age, your outward appearance will begin to change people’s perceptions of you. If you don’t like those misperceptions – do something about it.
November 22, 2008 at 10:43 am |
I think this is great advice, thanks Paradise for your comment.