In an online world where we are inundated with ‘perfect bodies’, ‘flawless skin’ and carefree lives, we are presented with an unrealistic image of beauty. Shame! Dove and the Fenty Beauty brand celebrate diversity in their campaigns. Here’s why that’s so important.
Why showing different bodies in beauty campaigns is so important
Beauty ideals
Beauty ideals are timeless. You find them everywhere: on television, in films, music videos, in magazines, on posters, on the internet and in advertising. You see them on social media at any time of the day. These beauty ideals are often unrealistic and if you look at the toys that children play with, this is learned at an early age. Thin upper bodies of Barbie and petite legs of Bratz dolls. Children learn that to count and be successful in life, girls have to be beautiful and slim. This is no different in the advertising and media we see. However, this has temporarily decreased with a trend that focuses on the idea that all bodies are good and should be seen: body positivity. Unfortunately, this has diminished due to certain trends.
Back to start
Social media, brands and other places were well on their way to body positivity, but due to the Heroin Chic trend and the arrival of the well-known Ozempic trend, the acceptance of bodies that deviate from the norm has unfortunately decreased again. Can we go back?
Body shaming
The unrealistic beauty standards have unpleasant and harmful consequences. Think of young people who grew up with technology and media. They are inundated with 5,000 advertising messages per day. The image they see is largely manipulated with perfect female bodies and not realistic at all. Unfortunately, young people do not see this and are unintentionally very influenced by it. It changes the way children see themselves and the image of who they want to be. Many of the normalized ideal bodies are not at all attainable for many (and that’s okay).
Beauty campaigns that do well
The brand Fenty Beauty, founded by singer Rihanna, is good at celebrating diversity and has released three campaign images to present the brand’s summer collection. It shows three women with different body types in bikinis representing a wonderful day at the beach. Sun-tanned skin where you can clearly see the lines of the bikini. Beautiful bodies, about which the reactions and comments are divided. One part is negative where it is said that it is unhealthy and ‘promoting obesity’ is frowned upon and the other part is positive. That’s what you mainly want to look at. People are happy and recognize their own body in it. It recognizes that plus size people exist. That just proves how important it is. On to this standard!
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