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Perfect Me

Thinking philosophically about the demands of beauty.

Beauty
Bustles and Butt Lifts: What Won’t We Do for Beauty?

Heather Widdows Ph.D. on April 19, 2024

For beauty, we paint our faces, starve ourselves to the bone, feel the burn, suck out our fat, freeze our faces, cut into our skin, and place foreign bodies into our skin.

For beauty, we paint our faces, starve ourselves to the bone, feel the burn, suck out our fat, freeze our faces, cut into our skin, and place foreign bodies into our skin.

Social Media
Social Media and Unrealistic Beauty Ideals

Heather Widdows Ph.D. on January 29, 2024

Whilst the algorithms’ sole aim is to keep us scrolling, they give us beauty content because we’ve voted with our fingers and thumbs; this is the content we want to see.

Whilst the algorithms’ sole aim is to keep us scrolling, they give us beauty content because we’ve voted with our fingers and thumbs; this is the content we want to see.

Body Image
AI Confirms Our Unrealistic Body Ideals

Heather Widdows Ph.D. on May 23, 2023

Last week a report revealed what artificial intelligence concludes is the ideal body, drawn from its interpretation of social media data.

Last week a report revealed what artificial intelligence concludes is the ideal body, drawn from its interpretation of social media data.

Beauty
Beauty Without the Beast: Can We Learn From Lockdown?

Heather Widdows Ph.D. on August 3, 2020

If we could take the freedom to do less which some have felt in lockdown, and together make our beauty culture kinder, these would be good lessons to have learned.

If we could take the freedom to do less which some have felt in lockdown, and together make our beauty culture kinder, these would be good lessons to have learned.

Body Image
Body Image in Lockdown

Heather Widdows Ph.D. on April 16, 2020

Some people might think talking about body image is inappropriate. But for others, it is a continuing concern and one which is intensified in lockdown.

Some people might think talking about body image is inappropriate. But for others, it is a continuing concern and one which is intensified in lockdown.

Sex
“Girls Who Wear Makeup Are Fake”

Heather Widdows Ph.D. on January 17, 2020

When it becomes unacceptable to make negative comments on people’s appearance, including their make-up, then the pressure will decrease.

When it becomes unacceptable to make negative comments on people’s appearance, including their make-up, then the pressure will decrease.

Embarrassment
How Women Are Shamed for Having Body Hair

Heather Widdows Ph.D. on January 13, 2020

This kind of shame cuts deep. It is shame of the self. In an age where our bodies are ourselves, we need to push back on body-shaming culture.

This kind of shame cuts deep. It is shame of the self. In an age where our bodies are ourselves, we need to push back on body-shaming culture.

Bias
Join the #EverydayLookism Campaign

Heather Widdows Ph.D. on November 5, 2019

Body shaming is never ok. These comments shouldn't be normal and we shouldn't put up with them. So, what can we do?

Body shaming is never ok. These comments shouldn't be normal and we shouldn't put up with them. So, what can we do?

#EverydayLookism
Beauty
What’s Wrong With Body Positivity?

Heather Widdows Ph.D. on July 2, 2019

Body positive campaigns have their hearts in the right places. They teach us to be resilient. But what if you are not body confident?

Body positive campaigns have their hearts in the right places. They teach us to be resilient. But what if you are not body confident?

Relationships
How Positive Is Body Positivity?

Heather Widdows Ph.D. on April 11, 2019

Naked Beach puts people of diverse sizes together and encourages them to get naked, to love their bodies and to ditch body shame. Is it the antidote to Love Island as claimed?

Naked Beach puts people of diverse sizes together and encourages them to get naked, to love their bodies and to ditch body shame. Is it the antidote to Love Island as claimed?