America the Beautiful

I just finished watching the most disturbing documentary - disturbing in a good way. It's called America the Beautiful and it's about America's beauty obsession. Some things I learned:

- The FDA doesn't really protect you from unsafe beauty products. It's banned seven ingredients, the EU's administration has banned 450.

- Plastic surgery=scary! So, in 1977, Congress passed a law saying that anyone with an MD could call him/herself a plastic surgeon. Many of the plastic surgeons today, aren't actually board certified and were trained as Obgyns or something. Additionally, most people who die from plastic surgery, don't actually die from the surgery, but from anesthesia.

- Model sizes really aren't normal. Like, really, they aren't. One of the reasons designers want them so skinny, is so they don't waste expensive fabric. A size four, is way cheaper to produce than a size 10 when you're dealing with high-price lace and cashmere.

- Women learn from their mothers. Never insult or complain about your body in front of your daughters.

- America's beauty ideals are seriously messed. We all know this, but now, I really know it. Yet, we're caught in this viscous cycle. Men see beauty ads/porn/whatever, expect women to look like that. Women want to be wanted by men -- not only by men -- but other women, so we spend and do all we can to conform. We get suckered in by those stupid mascara ads that promise to ad worth to our lives by adding length to our lashes.

- In a completely non-egotistical way, my body is great as is. I have recently been lamenting about gaining a few pounds and perhaps a size. But, now, I am asking, why? What's so great about a size two? A size two isn't normal if you're 5'7. I am normal and unique and normal and unique is great. And every woman I know is beautiful so don't get plastic surgery, because after watching this video it's clear if you do, you just might die...(da da duuunnn).

I realize this post got a little cheesy there in the end, but I'm feeling a bit emotional after watching the disturbing ideologies presented on my screen. It's a good film. Everyone should definitely check it out. Until then, don't go on any unhealthy diets. Good advice from me, once again:).