The spirit of appreciating real beauty is awesome. But while the linked-to article certainly features some impressively lovely women, they are NOT “plus sized”. They’re still below-average sized women.

Amy Lemons: http://snarkerati.com/galleries/index.php/Amy-Lemons/0004-Amy-Lemons.jpg?action=big&size=original (plus sized??)

And Jennie Runk actually PUT ON 20 POUNDS in order to do the “plus-sized” shoot. And was still pretty darn thin.

http://www.stylelist.com/2009/10/14/naked-plus-size-model-jennie-runk-glamour-photo-shoot/

Which all just goes to show that fashion has a long way yet to go to showcase women who are both of actual average or plus size – the men would certainly appreciate not just seeing “flat butts on this thing” to paraphrase Sir Mix-A-Lot.

The problem with modern day advertising is that cosmetics companies and clothing brands alike have the same task: sell the consumer something that they don’t need. If airbrushed photographs and cellulite cream didn’t make women feel somewhat insecure about the way that our bodies naturally look, those corporations wouldn’t sell a product.

Deep down, all of us want shinier hair, softer skin, fewer pimples, flatter tummies, longer eyelashes, fewer wrinkles etc. all because that flawless standard of beauty presented to us by the media is the one that makes us want to “better ourselves” by buying all of that shit that we don’t need. I must say, even though I quite like the “message” of Dove’s Real Beauty campaign, I can’t help but cringe every time I see Dove cellulite reducing lotion on the shelves at Walgreens. Yes, it’s true. They’re looking for a profit, too.

While this real beauty and non-airbrushing business is great, I think that unfortunately it is just a phase. If commercial photographers only photograph normal looking women and the “You’re beautiful just the way you are” message makes us feel satisfied with the way we are, then what will propel us to buy those image-improving cosmetics and clothes?

Oh capitalism–you were clearly invented by a male.