Beauty Work: Individual and Institutional Rewards, the Reproduction of Gender, and Questions of Agency

Abstract

Physical attractiveness is associated with a number of positive outcomes, including employment benefits such as hiring, wages, and promotion, and is correlated with social and personal rewards such as work satisfaction, positive perceptions of others, and higher self‐esteem. As a result, individuals perform various forms of beauty work, thus reproducing and strengthening a social system that privileges youth and attractiveness. In this article, we explore the beauty work practices that people perform. We begin with an examination of the cultural context in which beauty work occurs, including the individual, social, and institutional rewards accompanying physical attractiveness, and then review the practices themselves. Because these rewards and practices contribute in part to the reproduction of social relations and norms, we then turn to the gender dimensions of beauty work, along with its unique racial embodiment. Throughout, we raise the issue of individual agency in beauty work. Finally, we conclude with suggestions for future research.

When Beauty Brings Out the Beast: Female Comparisons and the Feminine Rivalry

“…Like Melissa, Marilyn agreed with the notion of social conditioning for women to compete amongst each other rather than to exclusively impress men, even though they are ultimately judging themselves according to standards that in part reflect a male gaze [30]. For instance, ongoing educational and outreach programs highlight manifestations of ''involuntary internalization'' of sexism include ''self-doubt…-self-censorship, plus doubt or mistrust of and competition with other women'' [9], along with the process of blaming and disliking themselves or other women [40].…”

“…For instance, even when women know images are digitally altered and therefore unrealistic, they still believe these images universally reflect men's, and their significant others', preferences [5]. These comparisons may be taken a step further through reflected appraisals, consisting of individuals imposing other peoples' appraisals of an individual onto themselves [18,30]. For instance, Milkie [34] found that young women remained critical of unrealistic images of femininity in the media, yet White women particularly experienced lowered self-esteem; this occurred because they thought others, and especially men, used or viewed idealized images as an important measurement for evaluating them as women.…”

“…Achieving socially-defined beauty ideals can be elevated in a moral sense to imply goodness across age groups [16,30,46]. Alternatively, defining oneself as not meeting the slender, white hegemonic ideal can lead to body dissatisfaction [21].…”

Impact of Facial Cosmetics on Automatic Gender and Age Estimation Algorithms

“…One reason for women to wear makeup is to increase their perceived competence and credibility [Kwan and Trautner, 2009]. In other cases, the goal of applying makeup is to make a subject look younger, while in the case of young subjects the opposite effect might be desired [Kwan and Trautner, 2009]. Here, we seek to observe the impact of makeup on an automated age estimation algorithm.…”

“…This is accomplished by concealing wrinkles and age spots (using light foundation and a concealer), by brightening wrinkle-induced shadows in eye, nose and mouth regions (using concealer and powder), and by highlighting and coloring cheeks (using highlighter and blush). One reason for women to wear makeup is to increase their perceived competence and credibility [Kwan and Trautner, 2009]. In other cases, the goal of applying makeup is to make a subject look younger, while in the case of young subjects the opposite effect might be desired [Kwan and Trautner, 2009].…”