Face Your Face

I’m sure you’ve all seen or tried the filters on Snapchat. Basically, you can take a photo of your face and morph it into various likenesses–and complete unlikenesses. For some, playing with the app constitutes a total waste of time (which is true), but the practice makes me laugh! So, it’s the little things, I say.

I was just introduced to another similar app called FaceApp that gives your photograph a “Hollywood” look, applies various hair colors, shows how you’d look as the opposite gender, a younger version, or an older version, for example. The startling realization, for me, was how much I liked the “cleaner” version, the one with younger skin, perfect makeup, new hair color–in other words, the one that wasn’t me. Even the supposed original wasn’t original.

What’s the harm? The tendency for even the strongest of constitutions to believe that a change is needed. With all of the bombardment of “improvements” we can make in our appearance, who needs the intimidation? I know, there will be some who say that it’s a harmless exercise in fun, but I believe that it depends on your age and satisfaction with yourself. Let’s be honest, even the most confident of us would look at an “improved” version and have temptation.

When did we start believing we had to look flawless? When did we start thinking our faces shouldn’t show age? Or better yet, when did we start assuming that either was an unattractive state? While models have become more diverse, advertisers, for the most part, still favor youthful appearances. advertising has taken an unhealthy turn as well. I used to love reading a local magazine for its unique and thought provoking stories, but the content quickly became mostly advertising for plastic surgery.

What are we telling ourselves, much less our youth? Don’t misinterpret–this is not bashing those who’ve had plastic surgery or other procedures. It’s merely to question and ponder the why. Why do we feel wrinkles are unappealing? Wrinkles bring character and substance to our looks. Freckles–and their older cousins, age spots–individualize an otherwise blank canvas. Okay, maybe limit the sun damage part, for health reasons, but our “flaws” comprise a life lived.

Simply put, celebrate the face you’ve earned, and teach your children to celebrate it as well to nurture a healthy outlook for their own futures. It sounds like a tall order because it definitely can be, especially when we’re sometimes surrounded by poor counsel from those who benefit from our dissatisfaction or well meaning friends. Let’s just try to be content in our ever-developing beauty.