In Emile Zola’s short story, Complements, we as readers get a tongue-in-cheek look at the price of beauty. In it, Parisian women seek the services of old Durandeau, who owns an agency that rents out less attractive girls. The theory behind Durandeau’s scheme is simple, really: women will appear more beautiful if they’re accompanied by an unattractive companion. The business proves to be a smashing success for all, except, of course, the hired “complement”. At the end of the day she removes her finery, stares in the mirror located in her tiny apartment, and realizes she’s nothing more than a pawn in the game of attraction.
Though a work of fiction, Zola’s story sheds a light on the ugly side of the beauty business. Women and men spend thousands of dollars every year on creams, serums, and potions to battle the signs of aging and to conceal alleged imperfections. Botox is mainstream, and it’s quite easy these days to have something removed or inflated all in the quest for attractiveness.
How did we get here? And why are so many of us starting to look the same?
I love what Simon Doonan has to say about it all in his book, Eccentric Glamour. Doonan, the creative director for Barney’s New York, questions the current “Bleached, Botoxed, Booby” look that is so prevalent today. He encourages us to embrace our own style and to (gasp) have fun with it!
I guess what it boils down to is confidence.
When I started working as an image consultant, I found that oftentimes a woman had more on her mind that what to wear to a party. Fitting rooms became confessionals, and I found myself playing the role of priest, mother, teacher, and counselor. Sometimes I wore the bartender hat, merely lending an ear and offering a drink.
Yes, I’m all about looking snazzy, but I firmly believe that feeling snazzy plays an integral role in our overall image and well-being. It’s about taking the time to really come to terms with who we are and what we really want out of life. More importantly, it’s about loving and respecting ourselves and each other.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m a big proponent of potions and procedures that will truly make a gal feel better about herself. My concern, however, comes when those little potions and procedures don’t do the trick, and she continues seeking something that will fulfill her. She must look inward and discover her authentic self in order to discover that fulfillment.
Knowing oneself and loving every bit of oneself sure makes it easy to don something that others may view as unfashionable. That same self-awareness makes it okay to keep that bump on the nose, or to allow those wrinkles to form. Focusing on the inside certainly takes the pressure off what’s happening on the outside.
Too bad the ladies in Complements didn’t realize this.
Beth Newman is an Image Consultant and Life Coach based out of Houston. Her book, Become a First Style Fashionista, will be available in August through Amazon. For more information about Beth, please visit www.newmanimage.info. Online consultations available!
Photo Credit © Krimar | Dreamstime.com
