I’ve been saying for a really long time that it’s easy to be deceived. Every day, my wife looks at herself in the mirror, then changes clothes 16 times. Why? It certainly isn’t because she isn’t beautiful. She’s gorgeous! Seriously!
But…
But, the world has a tendency to reprogram our minds, and make women think you have to look a certain way to feel beautiful. The pictures are everywhere, and so many of them are fake. So next time you see a photo on a billboard, or on a magazine cover while waiting in line at the grocery store, remind yourself that even the most beautiful women in the world still just aren’t beautiful enough.
If this photo of Faith Hill wasn’t good enough for the Redbook Magazine cover, and… if the images you see every day impact you on a deeper level than you probably realize… well, you can begin to imagine why my wife doesn’t always feel pretty. (And why you a lot of times don’t feel pretty either.)
Before:
Faith Hill Unedited Redbook Cover Photo
After:
Faith Hill Edited Redbook Cover Photo
Or, in case you couldn’t see just how dramatic the changes actually are, check it out this way:
As if Faith’s arm was just WAY too fat. Ugh.
Remember, you are beautiful, and you are enough, just as you are. Don’t let Photoshop and it’s shallow users tell you otherwise. Do not be deceived.
You could read more of this issue of Redbook Magazine and learn everything from make up tricks to “how to show your sexy side.” But if you can’t even trust the cover, why even open it’s pages?? Look at the photos, then read the headlines printed on the cover. Am I the only one that finds the advertised articles utterly ridiculous, considering the irony of the over-editted photo??
QUESTION: Am I the only one who thinks this is ridiculously sad, and incredibly unhealthy for our culture? As a girl, does it impact your ability to feel beautiful?
Tags: deception, deception in advertising, faith hill, faith hill redbook photos, false advertising, how to feel beautiful, redbook magazine
Very sad. Also, this is very eye opening – thanks!
My husband has always said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. He has loved me fat, skinny, without makeup, with makeup, and even loved me at my meanest! But as a woman, yes, we see the women of “hollywood, etc.” and it can get very intimidating at times. Especially for those of us whose self-esteem may not be of the utmost high. But it is then that we should stop and remember that beauty really is in the eye of the beholder…our “Blessed Beholder!” God looks at us from the inside out! If our hearts are full of God’s love…we ARE beautiful…in His sight…and after all…isn’t that all that matters in the end?
Beautifully blessed, Melanie Eubanks
Isn’t it amazing how deceived we’ve become? After reading a People magazine, my wife always says, “I need to work out more.” I’m like, babe, you look great. Those pics are airbrushed. My wife is pretty level headed so you know teenage girls are just beating themselves up over it. It’s time we change what the media wants us to be to what God intended us to be.
This is defiantly a problem for me. You should also check out the video “Dove Evolution” on Youtube- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U
Even though I KNOW that pictures in the magazines are touched up, it is still a struggle to be happy with my body when I’m bombarded with “perfect” people everyday in the media. Thank you for reminding me I am beautiful in the eyes my of my Creator and that He doesn’t mess up.
~Julie
it’s also an issue of the chicken or the egg. does fashion base off the media? or vice versa? the clothing industry has us convinced that a size 10 is a plus size. look at america’s next top model. the plus size model is what? an 8? i grew up dreading that size 10, girls would pick on those size 10-ers and now i’d LOVE to be in one. so is it any surprise that i see myself in a mirror and instantly think “failure”?
i’ll be the first to admit i’m over weight. i know my creator loves me regardless, but it’s hard not to think he might just wish i was a little skinnier, healthier.
This is defiantly a problem for me. You should also check
out the video “Dove Evolution” on Youtube-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U Even though I KNOW that
pictures in the magazines are touched up, it is still a struggle to
be happy with my body when I’m bombarded with “perfect” people
everyday in the media. Thank you for reminding me I am beautiful in
the eyes my of my Creator and that He doesn’t mess up.
~Julie