Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Fake Children Thanks to Media

Nintendo is an extremely famous gaming consul that children use all the time. And commercials are seen by children everyday so when you have a commercial about a game it catches the attention of kids. Well the above commercial is an OUTRAGE! The young girl is wearing too much make for her age as to look like a fake "barbie". She goes on to tell the viewers how she never has trouble figuring out what to wear because of her game. Negative effects have already been found on children with media, so it is no surprise to think of this game as actually harming the young. Children have no need to age so quickly, yet looking at this young girl it is apparent thanks to the media that is exactly what has been done. Commercials are always targiting children yet it may not actually be for the best, so watch out during these holidays and be aware of what the media is trying to tell your children.
makeup

Do you Dare? Hot hair trends!



 Vogue Daily —
Let's be honest a big part of feeling like a feminine and beautiful woman comes down to the hair on our heads. Whether you have long flowing waves like Blake Lively, or a asymmetrical doo like Rihanna your hair shapes your personal image.  The ombre look was on style over the summer blending dark roots with light tips. Another hairstyle that all the celebs have been sporting as of late is bangs. Jessica Biel is the most note worthy wearing bangs for her wedding and recently at the premiere of her movie "Hitchcock." Of course when you see these ladies with their trend setting tresses we imagine ourselves with the chic cuts and curls. However, your style is only one component the key is color!  On Marie Clarie's hair and beauty site they give a bunch of ideas for a hair color that fits you. Give it a glimpse and decide what color will help your confidence shine through. Although I am only twenty-three years old I know that gray hair is in my future, most women try to avoid this color for as long as possible but I would like to think that I’d embrace it much like Meryl Streep’s character in “The Devil Wears Prada,” If you share my enthusiastic sentiment then you should definitely look into Vogue’s article about shampoos and conditioners that make your luscious gray locks stand out. Truthfully though it is all about the way you rock your hairstyle instead of letting it rock your confidence. 


Pinning to the Thin


Pinterest is a new website that everyone, especially women are going crazy over. What their model for business seems to be is a bunch of people "pinning" what they find on other websites to show their friends or followers. I have become addicted to this as there seems to be everything from clothes, to do it yourself, home design, cars, even tattoos. Yet the one thing I have noticed as I am now an avid "pinner" is when it comes to women's clothes there seems to only be the skinny option available  Now as this is completely consumer driven I cant help but think that the media must play some part in it. As the websites it sends you too generally is for a more petite or normal crowd, there are no plus size models. Although I have ran across maybe 3 or 4 in the hundreds that I find on a daily bases petite seems to be what is expected for the users. As I am actually a petite woman it would seem as though it would not bother me, yet not finding clothes or even the options for everyone seems to be an actual problem, something should change. Only being able to see these types of clothing options,  as they are cute, do not seem as though they are fully practical for everyone. As can be seen off to the right.

Another problem that comes to light is how there are the skinny women trying to prove that being skinny is the only way to be. As this is not the truth Pinterest seems to have an anorexia problem on their hands. Moral of it all... be self aware and realize that what you pin is seen by everyone and could potentially harm another or make someone feel left out as they do not fit into the skinny. We are all beautiful so why not be proud of that.


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Disney Plays into the Skinny Model

Disney is one of the most iconic symbols around the world. Anytime someone
sees the oh so famous Mickey ears they immediately think of Disney, Mickey Mouse, Disneyland, or famous Disney shows. Whats some people how yet to realize is that Disney also plays into the skinny model that has become so famous in the media. Models all around are a size 0 and seemingly unhealthy even though the media portraits them as what everyone should strive to be. Disney has now done this also with a short cartoon were Minnie Mouse really wants a beautiful red dress and as soon as she is able to wear it she becomes a super model. But she no longer looks like her well know short body she has grown to look like barbie and represents a size 0. Along with her are other famous Disney characters such as Daffy Duck, Snow White, and even Goofy; all looking tall and thin as to seem as though real person, when in all actuality really people are a larger size than a zero.
I am completely amazed at how the world wide famous company Disney is okay with their name out there on an ad such as this. As this seems to actually be a commercial for Barneys Newyork which is an extremely expansive high society store. So the fact that there is a commercial like this out there I am not surprised. But the fact that it is Disney is surprising. Once upon a time Disney was known for giving children of all ages an amazing outlook on life. But that has seemed to change over the years. As the media has crucified them for the young stars they make famous to the types of movies being produced. It seems as though they are not able to do much right. All the while the media is playing the but to be both the bad and good guy. It is becoming harder to know what to believe but there are some things that seem to be true... with ads like this children will believe it is okay to grow up and be stick thin, and if they are normal they only have to put on a magic red dress and they will become supermodels. I don't know about every one else but I am cautious about Disney now and the way the media is portraying everything to children now. 

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The Bigger Star


  Amber Riley is an amazing singer and a popular character from the TV show Glee. She is most famously known for this character but her road to Glee and new roles have not been easy. In the video Amber describes how difficult it was and still is for her land roles due to her weight. She also mentions how she is usually casted as the girl that sits in the corner. Ms Riley broke down in her interview with MTV on This Is How I Made It she stated "Hollywood is a very hard place to be in. It really is." Amber is a great role model to many girls for standing up for herself and believing she is fine the way she is. She is a healthy young women and shouldn't feel the need to conform to the Hollywood image. Not everyone needs to be a size 2 and not everyone is so seeing women like Amber and Jennifer Hudson, who is a healthy full figured women, it is even more empowering for the young ladies in today's society. It makes such a positive impact more than others would know. Living in this society is very difficult with so many images that are blasted on media sites throughout the internet and TV only us, women, know what a difference it makes.

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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Express Yourself: Unique Nail Designs



Nail art is taking over and this time the trend is all about self-expression. Whether you are super girly and love the color pink or you want to celebrate the holidays in an artistic way, your nails are a perfect place to show off. Everywhere you look in the media you see nail designs getting more and more exciting. Fuzion Magazine has a great spotlight on a nail artist that is taking nail art to the next level. If you are tuned into social media then you've probably gotten stuck staring at tons of pictures of nail designs on Pintrest or shared a picture of your own nail creation on Twitter. In the past chic nails meant sleek nails. French tip was all the rage when I was in high school, but I never liked the boring white stripe look. I always loved bright and vibrant colors that popped. Another favorite thing that I loved to do was paint my toes a different color than my hands, however my mother always frowned upon that. So for many years I stifled my impulse to mix and match, but now the more mixed up your colors are the more on trend you are. Now that multicolored nails are in style I don't have to feel like I'm committing a fashion faux pas. The more eccentric your nails are the more fabulous they are. The days of French tips are now coming to an end. One of my favorite new nail designs is the Caviar look. This look is pretty yet daring at the same time. I think the little beads add depth and dimension to your nails. If you don’t have the budget to buy the Caviar nail kit, try cupcake sprinkles. The goal is self-expression to the max.  Your nail art is a reflection of your personal style so make them stand out.


 

Staying Healthy During the Holidays




Thanksgiving is finally here! Break out the horn of cornucopia and a few gravy boats. Halloween is far enough in your rear view that it is now time to turn in your sexy little Bo peep costume for a sexy Pilgrim one. Thank goodness that costumes are not a must have for Thanksgiving, unfortunately the hot trend for this holiday is over eating! Over eating is a trend that is not so hot for your body. According to the Huffington Post a Thanksgiving feast can average 3,000 calories. With that many calories for just one day's worth of food you won't be able to eat for an entire week. Maybe that is a bit too long of a food break but the point is healthy eating habits shouldn't go out of the door with the holidays. A blog on Huffpost Healthy Living looks into Thanksgiving food myths instead of just how to avoid eating more bread rolls. Thanksgiving is only the first of many days of eating disasters. After you've stuffed your face with turkey and sweet potatoes, sugar cookies and an array of chocolate fudge will tempt your taste buds at the multiple Christmas parties you'll be attending. Not to mention you'll most likely be drinking a bunch of calories all the way until that last champagne toast on New Year's Eve. So I think it is very important to take heed to the healthy holiday tips that were discussed on the “Live with Kelly and Michael” show the other morning.  I found these tips easy to follow and definitely worth trying to adhere to throughout the year not just the holidays. Check out the video from the show below. Happy Holidays!!!
 P.S. Remember to satisfy not stuff your stomach!


Plus Size?

   Plus size or in other words a very curvy women is just about the average women. Not many women in America are the ever so famous size 0 like Americas Next Top Models. How about you readers are you this tiny size? Do you find it realistic for yourself and the lifestyle that you live? Most women even teens are on the road during the day doing 100 and one things at a time. Some Moms days go something like this get the kids ready for school, go to work, go get groceries, come home make dinner, put the kids to sleep only to get up the next day and do it all over again. Teens who are involved in extracurricular activities go from the classroom to practice to home for dinner and homework and just back at it. So aside from doing all of these these things and eating right where would the gym fit in if you haven't made time for it? In an article that I came across from The Shine on Yahoo shocked me just by the title When did size 6 become "plus size?". In the interview that I have attached the guest talks about her rise as a plus model. She not only mentions how her goals changed but how unrealistic this is for true plus size women.


A size 6 is not a plus size and I personally find this out outrageous that the media is believing that such a size could be that. I have personally fought with my own body image issues but I myself am no plus size. I wear any size between3-7 and although these sizes themeslves are not big at big media would call me plus size,
   BeiNg a heathly size is all that matters in this world, its mind blowing what some girls would do just to get to the size that most magazines, TV shows, and even radio stations believe are "plus size". I am happy and healthy with the size I wear. How do you feel readers? Do you feel this out of this world? I would love to hear from you.

Weddings: Easier to be Thin

Weddings are always an important part of life. They are glorified and everyone thinks of them as the most beautiful things in the world. Yet what some people may not realize is that the wedding industry just like the media industry is geared towards thin/skinny women.
TLC is famous for all of their wedding shows such as, Four Weddings, and their many different Say Yes to the Dress. The typical Say Yes to the Dress episode is about thin women and in a normal episode does not show plus size. As you can see in the picture off to the left the woman there is beautiful, in a equally gorgeous dress, yet she is ridiculously thin. This is also the first photo that pops up when Googled or on TLC's website for the show.
Although they do not try to hide the other side of reality, TLC makes a separate Say Yes to the Dress called Big Bliss. Yet in the picture off to the right the woman looks almost angry, as does the consultant next to her, as where in the other picture he is as happy as can be. What TLC looks like thy are trying to do is say thin is the only true beauty. There should not be such a divide in the way that the media looks at thin brides compared to plus size ones. There are differences in every person but that should not lead to a separation and negative look on the size of a waist line.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

NEW BEAUTY & BRAINS TAB

Booyeah!!!

Check out our new weekly features tab titled Beauty & Brains! Every week you can challenge yourself and your friends to see how deep your beauty, body, and media knowledge goes! Just go to the Brains & Beauty tab next to the About Us tab! You're just a few clicks away from a fantastic time!

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Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Are Bond Girls More Than Just Beautiful Babes?

 
The latest James Bond movie titled Skyfall was released in theaters this past weekend. The movie topped the weekend box office charts. Skyfall is the twenty-third film in the James Bond film series. The espionage action flick had the biggest debut compared to any other Bond film in the past. The star of this Bond installment is Daniel Craig. This was Craig's third time portraying James Bond. In this latest movie Bond is sticking to his heartthrob butt kicking image while juggling a martini in one hand and a sexy vixen in the other.  Which brings me to the purpose of this post "Bond girls." Since the beginning of the James Bond series there has been a dastardly dangerous dame that has caught the eye of agent 007. The coveted role of a Bond girl is one that can launch a female actress's career in Hollywood.  The names of some of these female characters have stirred a lot of talk with names such as Pussy Galore, Holly Goodhead and Plenty O'Toole. The double entendres have fueled the allure of being a Bond girl. Some of the most notable actresses to portray Bond girls include Halle Berry, Terri Hatcher, Eva Green, and Jane Seymour. In Skyfall actress Naomie Harris plays Bond's leading lady. Harris is a rather unknown actress from the UK. Harris plays Eve a M16 agent that is cunning and chic. Although she is the Bond girl in this film Eve is not just toting a gun around as an accessory, she is actually putting it to use as an agent. This makes Eve a powerful woman in the film. Unlike Bond girls in the past the character of Eve is curvaceous and cutthroat.  I think this portrayal is one that will attract many men and women to see the film. The idea that the lead female role can be more than eye candy is appealing and something to admire. Unlike Bond girls in the past the character name Eve does not stand for some dirty deed. The idea of naughty names seems to be one that has subsided in modern Bond films. Replaced with women who do more than roll around in the sheets with 007. I think James Bond films are forever going to be synonymous with the Bond girl, a premier role that is growing into more of a well rounded character(and I don't mean a well rounded backside)!
 

Polished to Politics


   The 19th amendment gave women the right to vote and we ladies haven't stopped there. We continue to climb the ladder trying more and more to reach new heights. With women like Sarah Palin, Hilary Clinton, Barbara Boxer and Dianna Feinstein working within our government we are making more moves to be stronger women. More independent from that of our gentlemen counterparts that have ran most of the government for the time being now. Working with the government and trying to better the US for all of us is not all these ladies of power are looked at for. Not only do these ladies have to have the brains they also have to have the looks. Without the look they are put under the harsh spotlight of the media monster.
   Hilary Clinton was once scrutinized for not having any makeup on. A reporter stated that she looked like a haggard old lady. Not once did the reporter mention anything about what she had taken part in the day before or if she had had some type of meeting. Just the simple fact that she hadn't done her hair and or makeup for the day. But the media has not only attacked Hilary it has questioned Sarah Palins smarts. Although she may come off as a ditz she has to have some kind of smarts since she did become the Mayor of Alaska.These are not the only questions that many women are asked just for being in politics many are asked about their body image as a whole. Its hard to find light at the end of the tunnel since we are so harsh on ourselves and others.
  Not only does this impact the idea of our women but it also makes it much harder for some girls to get into politics. The need to look well represented 24/7 is constant, there is no down time and the media has no mercy on those involved. I found this video that also goes into more detail about how the beauty industry impacts politics. Miss Representation is a film and a organization that speaks up on women and how directly the media looks at girls just for being a girl. This is something that we need to look into in more detail as it will and can harm the future of our women politicians.