Aesthetic Choice vs Societal Pressure: Are Today's Pursuits of Perfection Alienating Our Authentic Selves?

[Sushan Ekanayake]

AND WHEN IT'S OVER, IT'S A GIRL'S SHEER
DELIGHT! MY FACE LOOKS LIKE SILK. I STARE
INTO THE MIRROR OF THE COMPACT AND THE
FOUNDATION POWDER HAVE ERASED MY EYE-
BAGS, COVERED MY FRECKLES, AND EVENED
MY SKIN TONE. PLUS, IT EVEN HID THE
MOLE I DON'T LIKE ON MY LEFT CHEEK.
FLAWLESS!

Smooth Strokes by Beatriz M. Robles

AI prompt : A lady standing in front of a mirror. On one side of the reflection, she appears with makeup, looking flawless. On the other side, she appears natural, with visible freckles and moles, looking at her perfect reflection. (Created using Dall-E 3)

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This excerpt propels us into a dialogue intertwining aesthetics and authenticity, reminiscent of Jean-Jacques Rousseau's reflections on natural human existence versus societal constructs. Rousseau, in his discourse, often lamented the facades humanity wears to adhere to societal expectations, which he saw as a deviation from our true, natural state.

In "Smooth Strokes", the act of applying foundation to create a 'flawless' appearance can be juxtaposed against Rousseau's notion of returning to a more 'natural' state of being. The 'flawless facade' here can symbolize the societal pressures to conform to certain standards of beauty, veiling our authentic selves in the process.

The persona's moment of delight as they behold a transformed reflection in the mirror invites us to reflect: Does this quest for aesthetic perfection, symbolized through the act of covering blemishes and attaining a flawless facade, echo Rousseau's critique of societal constructs that pull us away from our natural state?

In this aesthetic narrative laid out by Robles, how does the philosophical idea of authenticity versus societal conformity play out? And, as we traverse through the layers of aesthetic modulation in pursuit of perfection, what do we unveil about the inherent human desire to conform to external standards of beauty, often at the expense of embracing our authentic selves?

[Catherine Radford]

I often find friends who wear little or no make up look much more attractive that way then when they “dress pretty” often someone’s natural beauty is better than societies current beauty standards. We see now especially with social media quick changes in fashion, where as natural beauty will always be timeless.

[Catherine Radford]

I often find friends who wear little or no make up look much more attractive that way then when they “dress pretty” often someone’s natural beauty is better than societies current beauty standards. We see now especially with social media quick changes in fashion, where as natural beauty will always be timeless.

[_Rhea Jacob]

Because of social media, influencers, friends, etc, we are told to look our best with makeup and dressing up. It is our decision whether we want to follow it or not because people put makeup for several reasons- it could because everyone else is doing it or because the person wants to or because the person wants to cover up their "flaws" so they are not made fun of.

[Ganeefa Karan]

Initially, people were mostly concerned about the younger generation when it comes to societal pressure; however, in our day and age, this, unfortunately, is a reality for most people, especially females. We see so many people around us who are afraid to live in their own skin. In my opinion, it became a societal plague.

[Tommy Mayengbam]

Absolutely, I believe the pursuits of perfection are alienating us from who we really are. And I'm pretty sure this is getting worse, especially with the influence of social media.

[Wemby Jordan]

Women are naturally beautiful. Putting on too much make up derails from that beauty. I prefer the light make up that enhances beauty not the ones that make you look completely different.

[Fredrick Felix Mnjala Maneno]

Society puts inordinate importance on 'looking good'. A person should be able to feel good about how they look no matter what. However, should one appear in public with no make up they will be termed as plain. The pursuit of perfection in the eyes of the society can be quite a nuisance if you ask me.

[Mbali Qalinge]

There is a lot of societal pressure to look good with no imperfections and make-up does just that. Women are indeed naturally beautiful but if it's their own decision to wear make-up just to look good for themselves and not society then that's great too.

[Christine Palmer]

I find wearing make-up and maintaining my appearance allows me to be more authentic. When my external picture conforms more to what society wants and expects, people listen more to what I have to say. When I look tired or haggard, colleagues give less respect and weight to my words.

[Nancy004]

When people put on perfect makeup, it's tricky—they might be showing their own style or just following what society says is beautiful. This makes us think: Are we doing this because we want to, or because we feel we have to? And is it making us lose touch with who we really are?

[Aditii Mehta]

I completely agree that the pursuits of perfection are alienating us from who we really are. The social media these days is the biggest influencer and people are afraid to show the world their real skin.

[Shanesha Sammerson]

The narrative in "Smooth Strokes" appears to draw parallels between the act of applying foundation for a flawless appearance and Jean-Jacques Rousseau's critique of societal constructs. The 'flawless facade' can be seen as a metaphor for societal pressures shaping perceptions of beauty, potentially deviating from one's authentic self.

The delight in a transformed reflection may evoke questions about the balance between aesthetic ideals and authenticity. The exploration of aesthetic modulation suggests a tension between conforming to external standards of beauty and embracing one's true nature, echoing Rousseau's concerns about societal influences.

As we navigate through layers of aesthetic pursuit, the narrative prompts contemplation on the inherent human desire to conform and the potential cost of distancing oneself from authenticity in the quest for external validation and perfection.

[Celestine Apiche]

The tension between aesthetic choices and societal pressure raises questions about the impact on our authentic selves. While personal preferences contribute to individuality, societal expectations can sometimes lead to conformity and alienation from one's true identity. Striking a balance between self-expression and societal norms is crucial for maintaining authenticity in today's pursuit of perfection.

[Smrithi Arun]

While make up tends to give a confidence boost, I think it eventually breaks the authentic self as the person becomes more and more dependent on it. Makeup is definitely not wrong and small amounts of it enhance the beauty that already exists.