As children, we long for beauty. The beauty of the women we see on television and in magazines. The beauty of the dolls we play with and use to practice makeup. We want symmetrical faces, defined cheekbones, big eyes, long eyelashes, and flawless skin. We even decorate our childhood bedrooms with pastel pinks, blues, yellows, and words to create something visually appealing.
As teens, we look towards Victoria’s Secret models as our beauty standard. We admire actors and celebrities that represent unrealistic standards. We form this idea of beauty. What it looks like, represents, and means to others, and this idea of beauty somewhat sticks with how we perceive ourselves for most of our lives.
We go to college and decorate our dorm rooms with what we are told are trending colors and designs, trying to create what we believe to be our dream house. And yet, nothing satisfies our desires as it still feels like we can never reach our expectations of our self-imagined perfect beauty. This “perfect” beauty tells us our bodies are not acceptable. We are too skinny or too heavy. And every mark on our bodies, pimples, and scars are additional reasons for us to change ourselves. We never reach this imagined perfection of doll-like perfection.
But what we fail to realize is that this idea of perfection is just an idea. It is not reality, and that is a good thing. We will never be perfect because we are people, not plastic. Our different figures, skin marks, and anything that differentiates us are exactly what makes us unique. This idea of doll-like beauty is one we as a society are slowly breaking away from. We are finally seeing beautiful people that look more like us.
However, the question remains: will we ever break free from our expectations of beauty, or will we forever be trapped inside our own version of the dollhouse?
Creative direction, set design, styling, and words by Willa Berg.
Creative direction assist and set design assist by Paige Albert.
Creative direction assist by Anna Jara.
Photography by Jacqueline Kim.
Makeup by Shreya Dhar.
Talent by Jessi Scott.