Look, I get it. You wake up one morning, look in the mirror and think, Whoa, when did that under-eye bag become a double-decker? You give a few tugs, the skin flattens out, and suddenly you’re looking at your old self again. But the minute you let go, you’re back to thinking, Soon I’ll look like a basset hound. And so you spackle on the moisturizers with reflecting crystals and decide, I’ll be fine, as long as I avoid fluorescent light. But at lunch you run into a competitor who’s your age but looks 10 years younger, and what you want to say is, “Hey, you cheated!”
As I said, I get it. You show your beauty anger in letters that accuse More of redesigning celebrity faces. “I’ve seen [insert celebrity name] on TV, and she’s never looked that great!” various readers have challenged. Other letters say all magazines hurt women by “running celebrities on the cover who’ve had work done.” I’ve even seen friends lie about the cosmetic surgery they’ve had, for fear of backlash. “I don’t want to become the talk of my office,” one told me after a very subtle eye job.
I understand why my friend lied. But when it comes to photos in More, here’s the truth: Cover shots of cupcakes may sell certain magazines, but this is not one of them. So our best choice is to run celebrities. (Hey, this is a business! And no, readers do not buy “real” women. We’ve tried it.) Not being a plastic surgeon myself, I couldn’t tell you which actresses have had work done and which have not. What I do know is that it’s every woman’s right to decide how much she wants to do—which could be a lot, a little or nothing at all.
Of course, everyone wants to look as good as possible in photographs, and at More I do everything I can to help. We pay the world’s top stylists and photographers to make every cover subject look as if she’s having her best day ever; in her place, isn’t that what you’d want? We retouch for color and balance, never to erase age. In fact, I get into fights with photographers—who are trained by celebrity PR people to make everyone as smooth-skinned as a 12-year-old—to put wrinkles back in our photos! And let’s be honest about what natural means: No one who has ever plucked her brows or shaved her legs can claim total purity.
So here’s my friendly proposition: Can we manage to put aside our beauty anger and let every woman—celeb or civilian—age as she sees fit?
What do you think of Lesley’s proposition? Are we too judgmental of each other’s beauty routines? Would you have work done? If so, how far would you go? Please share your thoughts by commenting below.
Comments
I have to disagree with you
I have to disagree with you using real women. Yes we all love the beauty of the famous, but real women who read your magazine relate better to real women. I think you should feature real women who look great for their age and their story.
Genetics are a big factor, but women eating healthy, exercising, and drinking plenty of water...is the best way to look your best. Neglecting your body (the most important thing to anyone) catches up to you later.
I read here every aspects of
I read here every aspects of view points. By the way I wanna learn more about beauty anger issues. Thanks!
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It's simply not fair that a
It's simply not fair that a woman is not allowed to age the same as a man does. I have heard people voice that a woman has 'let herself go' if she doesn't color her hair when it greys - but a man looks distinguished. It isn't fair, but that's how it is. That being said, I am not going to accept aging without a valiant fight. At 58, I constantly watch my diet in hopes of shedding a few pounds, walk 3 miles a day, and have had a 'little work' done on my eyes & neck - but only discuss it with close family members. My friends & co-workers WOULD judge me harshly for my choice. I know because I've heard them talk about others that have had cosmetic work done. I am not ready to 'own' it. By the way, I found it funny to hear a 40 year old young woman say that SHE will age gracefully and will not avail herself of cosmetic help to stop the ravages of time. It's easy to say this when your skin is still fresh, your hair still vibrant with color. Let's talk to her again at age 55. :-) No woman should judge another - and yet women are each others' harshest critics. Most women from puberty do what they can to look & feel attractive. Tweezing, shaving, moisturizing, sunscreening, Sephora-shopping... So, YES, please allow all women the freedom to decide what they will or will not do to look attractive, without fear of judgment.
Here's a story I wrote for
Here's a story I wrote for The Washington Post magazine on four successful women and their views on aging: http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/better-with-age/2011/05...
I will be turning 41 and just
I will be turning 41 and just gave birth to my 2 child. I'm bless with good genes thou.I will say we do way to much to our skin.With all the chemicals we used on the face. We are just speeding the aging process up faster.Papaya is a natural alpha hydroxy it's the best thing anyone can use all over the body and the face. Also don't forget we need to eat healthy and excise too. I've been in the business for almost 20 years.Clients think you take a magic wand and make everything disappear. I will age gracefully thou. One more thing we can't compared us to the celebrities.They have a such a totally different life then us normal people do.
If you want "natural" beauty
If you want "natural" beauty beyond 40, choose your genetics wisely:) However, I am seeing more women put in time and effort into an endeavor that seems pointless. For whom are you looking so young? Celebrities, I understand, but it is an ugly choice for you (the editors) to hold them up as models of what we should strive for in looks (at any age). Conversely, I also see too many women who look as if they should only go out in berkas! Some effort to show respect for yourselves appreciated! Thanks!
Just turning 40 this year I
Just turning 40 this year I have no intentions on aging gracefully and I don't want anyone telling me what that should look like, let me define that. I think More does a great job of balancing the Magazine cover with "celebraties" and non-celebraties. And regardless of who is on the cover More does a great job with the content on the inside of the magazine.
And let's be honest, the main reason I picked up this issue was because Jodie Foster was on the cover and I was interested to see what she was doing. I'm sure you did too.
Yes, women are their own
Yes, women are their own worst enemies. I agree we should all permit ourselves to age in the manner we choose. So here is a friendly amendment to the proposition.
The difference with celebs is they are propped up as the standard to which we are all to aspire, celeb and civilian, alike. How about a bit of truth in advertising?
If you had a bit of work, own it. If you revere your wrinkles, let them show.
The difficulty comes in professing the seagrass smoothie is the secret of a siren's success, when it was the $45,000 worth of procedures she had while "vacationing",which is really behind the extra glow of graceful aging.
What message are we sending our daughters if we loath the very image of what a woman of a certain age looks like?
I agree with Eleanor (way to
I agree with Eleanor (way to go, Eleanor!) There are so many wonderful women out there and because they are not famous actually gives them more credibility in my eyes. Look ladies, the average woman is not extremely wealthy and does not have injections, surgery, personal trainers or clothing tailored to make her look great. I would like to hear from these women and what they do to manage their aging gracefully and I do not want to hear how they accept it with grace...that is crap...who among us does not mourn those days of the tight skin and few lines? And trust me, I am not saying I want to be that age again! So...bring on the non-famous beauties out there who look great and find out how they do it and how they keep their brains active, ETC.ETC.ETC!
I have to disagree that real
I have to disagree that real women on the cover do not sell. If you've tried it, you haven't tried hard enough, you haven't found the right women. That's all. Real women who look better than celebrities, without having had any work done, without super expensive spa treatments would inspire others to be their best, instead of being angry.
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