[miss_jane]

As I read through some of the threads about various aspects of beauty (cosmetic surgery, shaving, makeup etc) I noticed that the majority of them were distinctly not about the politics but about hints ands tips. I thought it would be useful and nice for busties to have a place to discuss the politics behind the "beauty myth" and hopefully clear some of our thoughts on it.

The type of topics that have been playing on my mind:

*Cosmetic Surgery
*The Removal of Body Hair
*Diets
*Makeup
*The Media's Attitude

Just to make everything clear I don't want this to become a place to attack busties who chose different ways of expressing their beauty.

So what are your thoughts? Can stereotypical beauty maintenance sit comfortably with feminist politics? Feminism is about a lot about choice for the individual, but is any choice (specifically about beauty) that a woman makes necessarily feminist? How difficult is it to stand up and fight the beauty myth?

As a side note : The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf is the book that stemmed these thoughts in me and a few years own I still haven't cleared in my mind the way I feel about things.

[greenbean]

Here's how I feel about this manner: Theres a difference between making looking good your life mission, (even if it causes suffering to yourself, such as having an eating disorder) and everyday taking care of yourself, like brushing your teeth and shaving your legs.

Like Nickclick, I only wear heels to special occasions. I think I only have twice this year, one was a wedding and one was a friend's art opening. Neither time did I feel unfeminist, I was simply dressing up because I enjoy the tradition of looking your best at special gatherings,..and its not just women, I personally think men look tons better when they are in suits and dress shoes (and black socks! Gah, I love men in black socks!) seriously, I can't stand how some guys dress. Guys that leave the house in flip-flops and calf-length pants really bother me.

To use your phrase Maddy, I have reconciled living with certain beauty standards society has given and still believe in feminism. I suppose because I like sex, shit, I love sex, and understand that since there are certain standards I expect for men, its only natural for me to enjoy simple upkeep of myself. And I mean SIMPLE. Shaving is easy, doing my hair and makeup takes 20 minutes tops, and if I feel like it I can slack off some days if I so choose. I don't go overboard, especially with spending. I could give two shits about designer clothes or the fact that I'm flat-chested. Any girl with my chest who spends loads on implants, I do feel sorry for, cuz I don't think they need it. (different sitch for transpeople tho, totally different)
Anyhow, my personal maintaince doesn't change how I feel about the REAL issues of feminism.

I guess the feminist thing comes in when we are concerned over how far some women take it, and yes, I do think some people take beauty too far. Starving yourself to be a model is not feminist. Pseudo-celebs that have nothing to do all day but shop and pose for paparazzi are not feminist. People that prey on barely legal girls for free tit flashes are not feminist.

There are some high-powered women who embrace the beauty standard and profit off of it (like the fashion industry, or hey, maybe a female plastic surgeon) Some of those women may consider themselves feminist, since they are in business (a prodominantly man's world). That issue I go back and forth on. Can they be feminst if their business is to set a high standard for women to want to live up to? Or are they just giving us the choice ...and as smart, critical thinkers we can take it or leave it?