#appearance-manipulation

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Media industry
fromNatesilver
35 minutes ago

Social media is turning into a freak show

Social media's influence on content quality and publisher success has led to a crisis in foreign policy and political communication.
Wearables
fromFuturism
6 hours ago

We Can't Even Imagine the Eating Disorders This New Meta Smart Glasses Feature Will Cause

Meta's Ray-Ban AI glasses may exacerbate eating disorders with features that track and log food intake automatically.
#self-worth
Psychology
fromPsychology Today
1 hour ago

Why Confidence Doesn't Always Reflect True Self-Worth

Authentic self-worth is grounded in presence and self-acceptance, contrasting with fragile self-worth tied to external perceptions.
Psychology
fromSilicon Canals
8 hours ago

Nobody teaches children how to know their own worth - we teach them to perform, to achieve, and to behave, and then wonder why so many adults reach fifty still measuring themselves against someone else's ruler - Silicon Canals

Self-worth is inherent and not based on achievements or external validation.
Psychology
fromPsychology Today
1 hour ago

Why Confidence Doesn't Always Reflect True Self-Worth

Authentic self-worth is grounded in presence and self-acceptance, contrasting with fragile self-worth tied to external perceptions.
Psychology
fromSilicon Canals
8 hours ago

Nobody teaches children how to know their own worth - we teach them to perform, to achieve, and to behave, and then wonder why so many adults reach fifty still measuring themselves against someone else's ruler - Silicon Canals

Self-worth is inherent and not based on achievements or external validation.
Women in technology
fromFast Company
2 days ago

The cosmetic surgery industry is mainly built for women. So why is it run by men?

Leadership in the aesthetics industry is predominantly male, despite women being the primary consumers and decision-makers.
fromwww.businessinsider.com
2 days ago

C-suite execs are paying surgeons big money to look fresh-faced, approachable, and less irritable

C-suite clients are getting treatments to age themselves down, with a focus on looking energetic, young, and full of vitality. Plastic surgeons report a significant increase in demand for facial procedures among executives.
Healthcare
Relationships
fromSlate Magazine
6 hours ago

I Have the Holy Trinity of Sex Problems. I Know What Would Solve Them, but I'm Too Scared to Try.

Exploring sexual orientation can involve complex feelings and societal pressures, especially regarding bisexuality and the fear of judgment.
#ai
Mindfulness
fromSilicon Canals
13 hours ago

Psychology says people who constantly research self-improvement but never start aren't lazy - they've confused the feeling of learning with the feeling of changing - Silicon Canals

Learning about self-improvement can create a false sense of progress without actual change in behavior.
Marketing
fromUnHerd
3 days ago

Cosmeticorexia is a symptom of social media replacing play

Children are increasingly engaging in skincare routines, leading to a projected $380 million market by 2028, raising concerns about the beauty industry's influence.
#body-image
fromSilicon Canals
1 day ago
Mental health

There is a particular loneliness in being a man whose body never matched the archetype he was taught to aspire to. Not because anyone was cruel about it, but because the world built its furniture, its expectations, and its respect around a size he would never reach. - Silicon Canals

fromTODAY.com
1 month ago
Parenting

An 8-Year-Old Had a Meltdown Because Her Jeans Didn't Fit. Her Mom Responded in the Best Way

Psychology
fromPsychology Today
2 weeks ago

Body Image Is Often About Belonging, Not Just How We Look

Body image concerns stem primarily from belonging and social acceptance rather than appearance alone, rooted in how bodies are culturally read and judged within broader social contexts.
Mental health
fromSilicon Canals
1 day ago

There is a particular loneliness in being a man whose body never matched the archetype he was taught to aspire to. Not because anyone was cruel about it, but because the world built its furniture, its expectations, and its respect around a size he would never reach. - Silicon Canals

Body image issues in men stem from societal expectations and architectural norms, leading to a profound, often unacknowledged loneliness.
Wellness
fromPsychology Today
5 days ago

When "I'm Trying to Be Good" Isn't So Innocent

Diet talk reinforces harmful beliefs about body image, health, and worth, impacting body dissatisfaction and promoting negative comparisons.
fromTODAY.com
1 month ago
Parenting

An 8-Year-Old Had a Meltdown Because Her Jeans Didn't Fit. Her Mom Responded in the Best Way

Psychology
fromPsychology Today
2 weeks ago

Body Image Is Often About Belonging, Not Just How We Look

Body image concerns stem primarily from belonging and social acceptance rather than appearance alone, rooted in how bodies are culturally read and judged within broader social contexts.
#beauty-standards
fromIndependent
4 days ago
Television

How we ALL bought into looksmaxxing: There's nothing new about the extreme pursuit of physical perfection - just ask the contestants of The Swan

fromIndependent
4 days ago
Television

How we ALL bought into looksmaxxing: There's nothing new about the extreme pursuit of physical perfection - just ask the contestants of The Swan

Medicine
fromEsquire
3 days ago

The Lost Art of Going Bald

Men increasingly seek hair restoration solutions to combat hair loss and enhance attractiveness, with the market projected to reach $19 billion by 2033.
Fashion & style
fromwww.dw.com
1 day ago

Beauty as strategy: Why K-beauty is also a political success

K-beauty is a global phenomenon driven by South Korea's cultural exports and strategic use of soft power.
Social justice
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 day ago

Politics of Black hair: why grooming rules are under scrutiny across the diaspora

Disputes over natural Black hairstyles highlight ongoing colonial influences on grooming standards in schools and workplaces across the African and Caribbean diaspora.
fromEurekAlert!
3 days ago
Online Community Development

Why some people change only when enough others do

Understanding individual thresholds for change and social networks can help overcome resistance to adopting new behaviors like climate change solutions.
Growth hacking
fromSilicon Canals
3 days ago

The people who look most successful on the outside often have no idea what they're doing - they just learned early that confidence and competence look identical from a distance - Silicon Canals

The gap between perceived success and actual competence is significant, often leading to overconfidence in those with limited knowledge.
Careers
fromSilicon Canals
2 days ago

8 status symbols that used to mean success but now just signal insecurity - Silicon Canals

Status symbols have shifted from markers of success to indicators of insecurity and financial struggle.
NYC LGBT
fromQueerty
3 days ago

Hairy chests are making a comeback & shaved gays feel attacked - Queerty

The LGBTQ+ community's relationship with body hair has evolved from hyper-masculine aesthetics to embracing natural hairiness in recent years.
LGBT
fromLGBTQ Nation
3 days ago

Is "gender exploratory therapy" just conversion therapy with a new name? - LGBTQ Nation

Gender exploratory therapy is a controversial approach that some view as pathologizing non-binary identities while others see it as a cautious exploration of gender identity.
NYC parents
fromwww.theguardian.com
3 days ago

Her daughter was murdered seven years ago. Why are images of the crime still on social media?

Bianca Devins was murdered by Brandon Clark, who shared graphic images of her body online, leading to ongoing trauma for her mother, Kim Devins.
Women
fromSilicon Canals
3 days ago

9 quiet signs a woman has class that have nothing to do with money or appearance - Silicon Canals

Real class is characterized by respect, quiet confidence, and self-awareness, rather than wealth or appearance.
#identity
fromSilicon Canals
1 day ago
Psychology

Psychology says people who feel like they've been living someone else's life aren't confused or ungrateful - they're often the ones who were so good at adapting in childhood that they never stopped adapting long enough to find out who they actually were - Silicon Canals

Psychology
fromSilicon Canals
3 days ago

There's a specific kind of exhaustion that comes not from doing too much but from performing a version of yourself all day that doesn't actually exist. The tiredness isn't physical. It's the distance between who people think you are and who you become the moment the door closes. - Silicon Canals

Performance in social settings creates psychological fatigue due to the gap between projected identity and true self.
Psychology
fromSilicon Canals
1 week ago

Psychology says the reason most people never truly change isn't laziness - it's that they've built an identity around their flaws that they don't know who they'd be without them - Silicon Canals

People struggle to change not due to laziness, but because their flaws are integrated into their identity, making change feel like a threat to the self.
Psychology
fromSilicon Canals
1 day ago

Psychology says people who feel like they've been living someone else's life aren't confused or ungrateful - they're often the ones who were so good at adapting in childhood that they never stopped adapting long enough to find out who they actually were - Silicon Canals

Adapting to others' needs in childhood can lead to feeling disconnected and lost in adulthood.
Psychology
fromSilicon Canals
3 days ago

There's a specific kind of exhaustion that comes not from doing too much but from performing a version of yourself all day that doesn't actually exist. The tiredness isn't physical. It's the distance between who people think you are and who you become the moment the door closes. - Silicon Canals

Performance in social settings creates psychological fatigue due to the gap between projected identity and true self.
Psychology
fromSilicon Canals
1 week ago

Psychology says the reason most people never truly change isn't laziness - it's that they've built an identity around their flaws that they don't know who they'd be without them - Silicon Canals

People struggle to change not due to laziness, but because their flaws are integrated into their identity, making change feel like a threat to the self.
fromIndependent
5 days ago

Everyone's talking about: Barbie Botox - but will it give me a doll-like neck?

Barbie Botox, also referred to as Traptox, has become a sensation on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, where it has garnered millions of views over the last three years.
Social media marketing
Marketing tech
fromAdExchanger
4 days ago

Jones Road Beauty Is Using A New Type Of MMM To Reset Its Media Measurement | AdExchanger

Cody Plofker values discovering ineffective marketing channels to optimize strategies, contrasting with typical marketers who struggle with measurement confusion.
SF LGBT
fromLGBTQ Nation
5 days ago

8 unapologetically trans-owned businesses redefining fashion, art, and more - LGBTQ Nation

Trans individuals significantly influence culture and deserve visibility and support, especially through trans-owned businesses.
Germany news
fromThe Local Germany
5 days ago

Sexualised deepfakes targeting actress spur German '#MeToo' moment

Thousands in Germany support Collien Fernandes after fake sexualized images of her circulated online, highlighting gaps in legal protections against digital abuse.
Photography
fromIndependent
5 days ago

Kirsty Blake Knox: I have no idea how a picture of a pregnant woman can be 'upsetting' but Instagram disagrees

A pregnant photograph of model Erin O'Connor was blurred and labeled as 'upsetting' by Meta after being removed and reinstated.
fromThe Atlantic
1 day ago

How Some People Became So Averse to Hype

Anna Holmes defines 'hype aversion' as a reflex against being told what to like, suggesting that popularity can create pressure rather than signal quality. This feeling can lead to a deliberate choice to resist mainstream culture.
Media industry
Mental health
fromSilicon Canals
1 day ago

There's a specific kind of tiredness that has nothing to do with sleep. It comes from years of translating yourself into a version that other people could handle, and the exhaustion lives in the gap between who you are and who you've been performing so consistently that even you forgot there was a difference. - Silicon Canals

Workplace burnout often stems from the exhaustion of pretending to be someone you're not, rather than from overwork itself.
Typography
fromDefector
1 week ago

They Don't Have Lip Filler, They Just Have Lip Filler Accent | Defector

Lip Filler Accent is a speech phenomenon where individuals mimic the speech patterns associated with cosmetic lip fillers, regardless of actual cosmetic procedures.
Marketing
fromEntrepreneur
2 days ago

How to Navigate Brand Authenticity in the Age of AI Slop

Originality and authenticity in content are essential for brands to stand out in a saturated market dominated by low-quality AI-generated content.
Fashion & style
fromSlate Magazine
2 days ago

Racked by Indecision, Women Are Buying Multiple Wedding Dresses-and Regretting Them All

Courtney's wedding dress journey led to purchasing 13 dresses, ultimately resulting in a $130 online dress for her wedding.
Mindfulness
fromSilicon Canals
2 days ago

The older I get the more I notice that my body remembers arguments my mind has forgiven. A tone of voice, a specific pause before someone speaks, a door closing at a certain speed. Forgiveness turned out to be a cognitive event that the nervous system never agreed to. - Silicon Canals

Forgiveness involves both conscious decisions and unconscious bodily responses, highlighting the complexity of emotional healing beyond mere intention.
Medicine
fromwww.theguardian.com
4 days ago

Vaginal estrogen as a face filler? I think not': Experts critique the new skincare trend

Vaginal estrogen cream is being used off-label for facial skin benefits, but safety and efficacy are not proven.
#cosmetic-surgery
NYC startup
fromwww.businessinsider.com
1 week ago

I traveled from the US to South Korea to get a facelift at 34. It boosted my confidence.

Mathilde Turco opted for a mini-facelift in Seoul to address facial sagging and enhance her appearance as a content creator and sales professional.
Medicine
fromwww.theguardian.com
6 days ago

He can say he went to the gym': people are pumping themselves with fat from corpses to perk up their pecs, boobs and butts

Alloclae offers a new cosmetic procedure using cadaveric fat for body enhancements, catering to modern men's aesthetic needs.
NYC startup
fromwww.businessinsider.com
1 week ago

I traveled from the US to South Korea to get a facelift at 34. It boosted my confidence.

Mathilde Turco opted for a mini-facelift in Seoul to address facial sagging and enhance her appearance as a content creator and sales professional.
Medicine
fromwww.theguardian.com
6 days ago

He can say he went to the gym': people are pumping themselves with fat from corpses to perk up their pecs, boobs and butts

Alloclae offers a new cosmetic procedure using cadaveric fat for body enhancements, catering to modern men's aesthetic needs.
fromwww.theguardian.com
4 days ago

Women behind the lens: I grew up hating my natural hair. But I transformed that pain into something empowering'

I create sculptural hairstyles using my natural hair as a material. I add some extensions, and shape it with thread and wire. A sculpture can take me from 30 minutes to more than six hours.
Writing
Psychology
fromSilicon Canals
6 hours ago

Psychology says the most emotionally strong people aren't the ones who never fall apart - they're the ones who fall apart privately, reassemble without fanfare, and never use their recovery as a reason for anyone else to feel guilty - Silicon Canals

Emotional strength involves acknowledging feelings and recovering privately, not denying vulnerability or pretending to be unbreakable.
Mental health
fromSilicon Canals
2 days ago

You know a woman has lost her joy in life when she describes her days accurately and without feeling - when the words are all correct and the tone is completely flat and the account of her own life sounds like something being reported rather than lived, and she doesn't notice the flatness because she has been inside it long enough that it just sounds like how things are - Silicon Canals

Emotional flatness can creep in, making life feel like a series of tasks rather than meaningful experiences.
Fashion & style
fromBustle
3 days ago

Forget Side Parts & Middle Parts. Messy Parts Win.

Messy hair and effortless beauty trends are replacing clean girl aesthetics, emphasizing a carefree, natural look.
Women in technology
fromInsideHook
4 days ago

Why Wanting a Pilates Woman May Be a Bad Thing

Pilates popularity has surged, influencing men's preferences for women who practice it, linked to the manosphere's misogynistic ideals.
fromThe Cut
4 days ago

Brand Names Are in Crisis

"Any time you have to explain your name, you're essentially apologizing for it," says Alexandra Watkins, the founder of naming firm Eat My Words. Her deal-breakers for names include 'looks like a typo' and 'hard to pronounce.'
Marketing
Psychology
fromPsychology Today
6 hours ago

Why Today's Young Men Seem Trapped

Young men face a crisis of identity, struggling with anxiety, depression, and confusion about manhood due to societal pressures and lack of personal power.
fromwww.businessinsider.com
1 week ago

The facelift is going mainstream, and Denise Richards is proof

"This is something that I want to do for me. I'm not trying to change the way I look. I'm just trying to put things back. There's a little difference, in my opinion."
Social media marketing
#looksmaxxing
Exercise
fromwww.bbc.com
3 weeks ago

Sculpting jaws, giving scores: Inside the world of looksmaxxing

Young men increasingly engage in 'looksmaxxing'—intensive physical and cosmetic routines—believing improved appearance will transform their lives and social status.
Exercise
fromwww.bbc.com
3 weeks ago

Sculpting jaws, giving scores: Inside the world of looksmaxxing

Young men increasingly engage in 'looksmaxxing'—intensive physical and cosmetic routines—believing improved appearance will transform their lives and social status.
Mental health
fromPsychology Today
4 days ago

Clinging to Safety: The Hidden Logic of Eating Disorders

Disordered eating can provide temporary safety from stress, but recovery requires gradual steps and compassionate support.
Fashion & style
fromwww.theguardian.com
4 days ago

Sali Hughes on beauty: new foundation launches come with a lot of hype. Do they deserve it?

Three major beauty brands have launched new foundations, featuring reformulations and additions to popular lines.
Relationships
fromBustle
5 days ago

TikTok Says Your Nails Can Reveal Whether You're The Younger Or Older Sister

Younger and older sister nail trends reflect sibling dynamics, showcasing contrasting styles in manicures on social media.
Marketing
fromVogue
6 days ago

The Anti-AI Slop Playbook

Gucci's AI-generated campaign images have sparked debate about the use of technology in fashion marketing.
Film
fromwww.theguardian.com
3 weeks ago

Hollywood's idea of beauty once meant polished and slim, not altered and gaunt. This new look is unsettling | Brigid Delaney

Hollywood's beauty standard has shifted from aspirational optimization to concerning extremes, generating public alienation rather than admiration toward dramatically altered celebrities.
#mental-health
Psychology
fromSilicon Canals
4 days ago

There's a specific exhaustion that belongs to people who spent decades being exactly what everyone needed them to be - and then one day realized they couldn't remember what they needed - Silicon Canals

People-pleasing leads to losing one's identity and can result in profound exhaustion and disconnection from self.
Psychology
fromSilicon Canals
4 days ago

There's a specific exhaustion that belongs to people who spent decades being exactly what everyone needed them to be - and then one day realized they couldn't remember what they needed - Silicon Canals

People-pleasing leads to losing one's identity and can result in profound exhaustion and disconnection from self.
Women in technology
fromPsychology Today
1 week ago

What Makeup Really Says About You (and What It Doesn't)

Makeup trends on social media suggest personality insights, but research shows these links are minimal and largely influenced by observers rather than wearers.
fromSilicon Canals
4 weeks ago

If a woman who always wore makeup suddenly stops - not on a bad day, not when she's ill, but permanently - most people assume she's let herself go. What's actually happening is almost always one of these 7 shifts, and the last one is the one her family should pay attention to. - Silicon Canals

According to Mary Duh, a Physician Assistant in Dermatology at Mayo Clinic Health System, 'Makeup can be infected with bacteria after only one use.' Every time we reapply that favorite lipstick or dip back into our foundation, we're potentially spreading bacteria all over our faces. By avoiding foundation and blush, the skin is allowed to return to its natural oil balance and hydration.
Health
Right-wing politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 month ago

There is no shame in being vain': the relentless rise of impossible male beauty standards

Male political and cultural figures increasingly perform militaristic authority through carefully curated facial presentation and appearance, while men's faces face unprecedented public scrutiny previously reserved for women.
Miscellaneous
fromSlate Magazine
1 month ago

A Beloved Actor's Face Is Now Unrecognizable. But It's Us Who Should Be Looking in the Mirror.

Jim Carrey's altered appearance at the César Awards sparked conspiracy theories about clones and impersonators, reflecting modern celebrity culture's obsession with cosmetic procedures and internet misinformation.
Mental health
fromSilicon Canals
4 days ago

Psychology says the reason aging people feel like they don't matter isn't about what they've lost - it's that society defines mattering as productivity and visibility, and the moment you step outside those narrow roles, your value becomes invisible even to people who love you - Silicon Canals

Retirement and aging can lead to feelings of invisibility and worthlessness due to society's narrow definitions of productivity.
Relationships
fromSlate Magazine
2 weeks ago

I Supported My Wife In Doing Something Drastic to Her Beautiful Breasts. I'm Starting to See I Was Wrong.

Support for a partner's body modification can lead to personal challenges, but it's essential to adapt and find solutions together.
Psychology
fromSilicon Canals
3 days ago

Psychology suggests the most attractive person in the room is almost never the one trying hardest to be - because effort in the direction of attractiveness is visible, and visibility of effort is the one thing that reliably cancels the effect it's trying to produce - Silicon Canals

Authenticity is more appealing than effortful perfection in social interactions.
Psychology
fromPsychology Today
4 days ago

AI Doesn't Flatter You: It Does Something Worse

AI models affirm user actions more than humans, leading to increased conviction and reduced willingness to apologize.
Digital life
fromMashable
1 month ago

The Looksmaxxing Glossary: Understanding the Internet's most unhinged subculture

Incel terminology, including 'looksmaxxing,' has migrated from underground forums into mainstream social media, spreading dangerous practices and ideologies through viral influencers.
Television
fromenglish.elpais.com
1 month ago

It's a trompe-l'il, it can't even turn you on': Have on-screen bodies become too unrealistic?

Despite increased sexual content in film and television, critics argue these portrayals lack genuine eroticism due to idealized bodies and choreographed encounters, potentially causing audience fatigue.
Mindfulness
fromPsychology Today
1 month ago

When Thought Changes the Thinker

Human intelligence is fundamentally transformative—it changes the thinker themselves—while artificial intelligence generates insights without being transformed by them.
Psychology
fromPsychology Today
5 days ago

Why We Don't Change-Even When We Know What's Wrong

Insight alone is insufficient for change; real experiences are necessary to challenge ingrained beliefs and expectations.
Psychology
fromPsychology Today
5 days ago

The Fear of Being Canceled Activates an Ancient Alarm

Therapists are observing a new anxiety disorder characterized by a fear of public shaming and ostracism, termed akyronophobia.
Psychology
fromSilicon Canals
6 days ago

Psychology says the worst part of people-pleasing isn't the exhaustion - it's realizing that no one actually knows you because you never gave them the real version - Silicon Canals

People-pleasing leads to exhaustion and prevents genuine intimacy, as it creates a façade that others connect with instead of the true self.
fromwww.nytimes.com
1 month ago

Video: Opinion | Confessions of a Former Body Positivity Influencer

What does loving yourself at any size mean now that weight loss is back in fashion and becoming more accessible than ever? Can you still be body positive while wanting to lose weight? The former body positivity influencer Gabriella Lascano argues that the movement has lost its way and taken an extreme turn in recent years. But she says there's a middle ground that still champions self-love and bodily autonomy while redefining them, too.
Public health
Parenting
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 month ago

A moment that changed me: I shaved off my hair and immediately became an invisible woman

Postpartum exhaustion triggered radical simplification, including shaving the head to reclaim time, resist maternal idealisation, and regain personal autonomy.
fromThe Nation
1 month ago

"Going Natural" in the Age of Facial Optimization

I am familiar with this feeling. Breadcrumb trails of heat lead to pain that's called minor, pressure that's called surprising. Rooms like this-the salon where my scalp scalds as my curls burn away or the aesthetician's office where I lie as vulnerable as I might in a hospital bed-are drenched in anxiety's musk, scented with antibacterial spray. The women who leave me their warmth are like older sisters, evidence files, guinea pigs, role models, comrades, and competition.
Social media marketing
fromwww.mercurynews.com
2 months ago

What to watch: Beautiful people keep blowing up in Beauty'

Like those, it scours our culture's incessant preoccupation with physical beauty, both the lusting for it and the lengths we will go to get and keep it. But The Beauty possess a mind of its own as it expounds on rich themes that Murphy's been interested in, mixing humor with black humor while he comments on sinfully glamorous lifestyles and the dark side of human nature and desire.
Television
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 month ago

Goodbye, breast implants: why I went back to having a flat chest

For 22 years, I ran around with small bags of saline water on my chest a fact I shared with only a handful of close friends. I felt ashamed of having chosen artificial enhancement. I'm an outdoorsy mountain runner. At 56, I want to model ageing naturally, but having breast implants ran counter to that. Now they are gone, thanks to explant surgery implant removal without replacement.
Medicine
Fashion & style
fromBustle
2 months ago

Cringy Mistakes That Make You Look Bad - & Easy Things To Do Instead

Small styling swaps, beauty habit changes, and minor tailoring tweaks can instantly elevate outfits and prevent common fashion missteps.
Fashion & style
fromBustle
2 months ago

Kendall Jenner Opens Up About Cosmetic Work She's Done

Kendall Jenner confirms use of PRP microneedling and baby Botox, denies facial plastic surgery, and warns that online speculation can pressure young people.
Mental health
fromPsychology Today
2 months ago

What Is Filter Dysmorphia, and Why Is It Alarming?

Filter dysmorphia occurs when digitally edited facial images feel more familiar than one's real face, altering self-perception, self-worth, and collective standards of appearance.
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