Book Review: In Your Face: The Culture of Beauty and You

Book: In Your Face: The Culture of Beauty and You by Shari Graydon with art by Karen Klassen and Katy Lemay

Source: Borrowed from Publisher/NetGalley for an honest review

Publication: Available now

Description:

A lively, thought-provoking look at the power and pitfalls of the beauty industry hype.

From fairy tales and Hollywood movies to magazine ads, reality TV and the Internet, we absorb the lesson early: being beautiful is the answer to our dreams. It's harder than ever for teens to tune out the endless media messages promoting unattainable ideals, yet at no time in history have they had more tools to change the message.

With "In Your Face," Shari Graydon encourages readers to think critically about the culture of beauty both past and present. Whether it's the different standards for guys versus girls, racial and size biases, the assumptions we have about models and celebrities, or the message that the "right" clothes, makeup, or surgical procedure can make you a better person, Graydon's unbiased look into the realities behind our ideals will help teens deconstruct the beauty industry hype.

Fully rewritten and redesigned from the 2004 edition, "In Your Face" has been updated to reflect the heightened pressures of beauty in the digital era -- both good and bad -- to shape our self-image. The appealing magazine-style format, stylish illustrations, and conversational tone will draw readers into this empowering exploration of the complex subject of beauty.



Rating: 4 stars

Review:

In Your Face is a revealing look at our current obsession with youth and beauty. The author shows how misleading so many claims that the beauty, fashion and health & fitness industries are touting, all to get our money. And also the effects it's having on young people who may not even be aware how this obsession is effecting the way they think about themselves and how they see others. Despite the fact that their bodies (and minds) are still developing, plastic surgery is being highly promoted to them. When did being offered plastic surgery become the ultimate graduation gift?

Teens are not the only ones dealing with this obsession, adults are constantly bombarded with advertisements, magazines, TV shows, movies, etc. showing the young and beautiful and ways they can achieve that image or how to recapture it. With the way things are going will no one be allowed to age gracefully anymore?

The author sheds light on luxury goods such as is it worth spending hundreds of dollars on a pair of luxury jeans when you could buy another pair for much cheaper? The quality is generally the same but the high price is really for the brand name. The only ones who really benefit are those in the fashion industry.

This was an interesting look at the world of looking beautiful and it will have you asking yourself even more questions after reading it. From diets to selfies, it's a good introduction to understanding the psychological study of beauty.

I would recommend this book to young adults (girls and guys, since the author spends a good amount of time on topics that affect them as well) and to anyone who may be feeling some pressure to look perfect or those who may not be familiar with the topic and would like to learn more about it.