Review: Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 18, 2012
The title to this review alludes to the subjective concept of beauty that has been a part of the social landscape ever since both sexes sought to look alluring and attractive to the person(s) that served as their respective love interest(s). Depending upon the culture, both men and women would lavishly adorn themselves with different accoutrements such as mascara, eyeshadow, perfume, lipstick, and the fanciest duds known to their respective society at the time. (Yes, you read that correctly: men were near-spokespersons for the Cover Girl and L'Oreal ad campaigns of their era.)Naturally, the whole purpose of such invested time was to gain a romantic partner with whom the inevitable physical attraction would take its projected course. In some societies, such as found in certain sub-Saharan African communities, beauty was of a more practical bent and also involved status symbols of prestige and wealth, such as down payments on dowries and how much cattle and yams a family owned. Not only did this pattern of societal behavior serve to stabilize the community and culture, it also allowed for human propagation of the species, which ensured survival above all else.Nowadays, beauty is measured in similar fashion (no pun intended)---eyes are made up to be as alluring and as enticing as possible. Clothing is worn to accentuate and flatter a woman's bust and curves. Countless shades of nail polish and eyeshadow line supermarket and beauty-store shelves. Mass media targets certain audiences with non-stop hair, make-up, mascara and lipstick advertisements---everything is easy, breezy, beautiful. Maybe she's born with it. Because you're worth it---cutesy-poo but easily-memorized slogans that have made their imprint upon the collective American psyche, which has, ironically, seemingly created a social crisis of sorts: all of us, but women in particular, are pressured to feel as if, no matter how much primping and preening they do, there is always something wrong with the way they look.Stephen Williams enters the fashion and beauty fray with his book "Beauty Tips: Be Pretty and Confident." Although writing from a male perspective, Williams presents several key ideas that can help women (and even men) achieve answers to that elusive subjective concept of beauty---and the primary answer is found in the title: confidence.Confidence is not something that is bestowed upon someone from another person, or a prestigious job title, or how much money is in someone's 401(k). It is an internal locus of love; it is cultivated and nourished from within, and serves as the primary source from whence all subsequent self-satisfaction and happiness derives. Confidence allows a person to attain and maintain a consistent level of optimism that, when tempered with unpleasant events (overdue bills; cranky co-workers; political speeches; hangnails), enables that person to keep a proper perspective while pressing forth with the trials, tribulations and triumphs of life.The end result? A heightened sexiness to most other people that surpasses even the whitest smile or the curviest backside."Beauty Tips" stresses not only confidence, but also provides practical tips on maintaining optimal health and fitness as well. Additionally, making good choices on an everyday basis contributes to one's overall sense of well-being and can enhance the (inner) beauty factor.Williams's tome is highly informative and provides an interesting read for anyone interested in making themselves look good for anyone, on any level.