Jia Tolentino discusses how "Instagram face," a beauty standard she coined, has evolved into an AI-driven ideal, leading to increased plastic surgery among young people. She argues this optimization alters our relationship with reality, promoting procedures like Botox for teens and erasing diverse beauty forms.
The author reflects on the intense pressure to achieve a specific "bridal body" and beauty standard, contrasting her past restrictive wedding prep with her current, more self-accepting approach to her upcoming marriage. She critiques the "beauty machine" while acknowledging the desire to look good in photos.
Looksmaxxing influencer Clavicular (Braden Peters) is facing backlash after revealing his rhinoplasty results, with many claiming he "ruined his face." The controversy highlights extreme beauty standards in the online community and Peters's history of controversial behavior.
Non-surgical cosmetic treatments, once associated with wealth and celebrity, are becoming commonplace among ordinary women in Australia, driven by increased accessibility, minimal downtime, and shifting perceptions of beauty and ageing.
Dr. Ambika Dutt discusses the shift in women's relationship with strength training, moving from a focus on thinness to prioritizing health, energy, and confidence. She highlights how this challenges traditional notions of femininity and empowers women, especially mothers, to embrace their physical strength without judgment.
UK women are increasingly choosing breast reduction over augmentation, driven by a desire for comfort, function, and body autonomy. Many face long waits and difficulties accessing the procedure on the NHS, leading them to costly private surgeries or even seeking cheaper options abroad.
RJ Perkins, a 21-year-old contestant in Mister Pampanga, went viral after a video showed him confidently strutting across the stage during the swimwear segment on April 19. Unlike typical pageant contestants with chiselled physiques, Perkins appeared with a heavier build, earning widespread praise for body positivity and challenging beauty standards in male pageants.
A counter-movement of qualified health professionals is challenging masculinity influencers promoting extreme trends like looksmaxxing and bone-smashing. Research shows nearly two-thirds of men aged 16-25 in the UK, US and Australia regularly consume such content. Prominent counter-influencers including Dr Michael Mrozinski and nutritionist James Brash are using their platforms to debunk dangerous advice, while the most influential looksmaxxing figure, 20-year-old Braden Peters, has faced hospitalization after promoting bone-smashing and substance use.
