I remember when I was barely old enough to buy Cosmopolitan magazines. I always found the cover girls were always so alluring. The clothing fit like a glove, the come hither looks so scintillating they could captivate you from across the party foods isle. Can we talk about the hair? I wonder what magic formula the styling team decided that day. Let’s go with the natural-windblown-not-in-studio-yet-kinda-fake look. Enough to make those who, and I say this humbly, are media illiterate, succumb to the fantasy. All this, to run home, devour the pseudo grooming tips and attempt to emulate the chick on the cover. Most of us know that it takes a team of beauty experts, thousands of dollars in studio and photographer fees, and the glaringly obvious digital mash-ups that create the look that flies off newsstands monthly. I however, have had an immense respect for said covers, merely for the fact that they encouraged me to work harder.

This is not your typical feminist rant on the pressures society places on young girls. Nor is this a vent-fest to the men who perpetuate the “standard” women apparently face daily in order to get a brash honk walking down the street. Instead, this is an alternative spin on a topic so widely discussed, it borders on redundant. I would like to offer a very different perspective, one that many will find controversial. It is my belief that we need to buck up and wave the white flag to the Cosmopolitan covers.

I knew I wanted to be a writer when I spent my ten dollar allowance on whatever magazines I could afford. At this time, typical chick-lit ‘zines were about 4 dollars with tax, so I would purchase what I could, and just become consumed with the pictures, prose and glamour that the pages held. I would analyze everything from font used, to advertising, to order of articles. I loved the entire experience of it, including the models and pop culture icons who sauntered atop the glossy pages. The kicker is, I always believed in the message.

Now, I am more than a decade older than I was when I first experienced this type of read. Clearly, my tastes have shifted and my exposure to actual literary genius has more than tripled. I am in no way saying that the articles in Cosmopolitan magazine would ever stand a chance to win a Pulitzer; yet they are like candy to the brain. Sweet, addictive, borderline junk. A diet of nothing but chick-lit ‘zines will hit the spot, but will merely tide one over. Metaphors aside, what I adore most about Cosmopolitan covers is the fact that it takes the female ideal and personifies it. Covers like this make it OK to aspire to be beautiful. Cosmopolitan covers actually bellow: “Look at me, isn’t it great to be pretty?” In turn, said reader will get an inch closer to ‘hot chick’ with every page turned, and you know what? I think it is a great thing.

Before you slander my integrity and assume I am shallower than a back yard kiddie pool in October, allow me to elaborate. I was an ugly duckling for ages. My teen years were not spent dating and relating, instead they were spent in the library. I was funny enough to have friends, but not good looking enough to have plans on the weekend. What I missed, and wished I had the cojones to do back then was to change it. I had all the resources. That’s the thing, everyone does. You do not need to have model specs, just a model attitude. The point is, is that we have so many images of inspiration to adhere too. Pick your muse.

It is my belief that we as females have the right to look great. We have the right to feel great, to be healthy, to be spiritual, and confident. Again allow me to clarify that I am not suggesting conforming to gender stereotypes, merely to be open to the idea of expressing yourself freely. It boggles my mind that people actually attempt to downplay themselves. For what purpose? Do I suggest everyone run out and hide behind makeup, clothing and a false bravado? Absolutely not. I just feel as though we are all capable of obtaining the magic that the Cosmopolitan covers have tried to show us for years. Growing into your looks can take time, but growing into the belief that you are allowed to want that takes time. There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to be the best version of you. Again, this is more of a motivational concept, as opposed to being enforced to adopt a way of dress you don’t fancy. My grand idea? To inspire everyone to find what represents them, whatever that may be, and have the courage to work it.  Personally, I get a quiver when I see the new magazines at the newsstand; I actually give them a knowing glance as if we are old friends who happen to run into each other once a month. Because the end result of a Cosmopolitan cover takes so much work, and so many people, that it isn’t really authentic in the slightest. Truthfully, I don’t think it s a secret. I believe the glossy covers of magazines are just tools to help motivate us plan folk have a little fun with our appearance. That said, what remains for me is the excitement that perhaps one day people can pull themselves up from the rut they are in, and dare to look in the mirror with enthusiasm and creativity, and not feel shamed for doing so.  

Photo Credit © Jonathan Ross | Dreamstime.com

Tags: confident, cosmopolitan, courage, cover, healthy, magazine, Spiritual