There has been a significant amount of research
done on the effect that advertising in the fashion and beauty industry has on
women. By creating advertisements with unrealistic images of beauty, it has
resulted in anxiety, low self-esteem, and low self-confidence in many
women. Most of these negative emotions
stems from unhappiness among body and appearance. Less research, however, has
been performed relating to cosmetics and how this can have an influence on
women, and how women can use cosmetics to manipulate their appearance.
The Miss Universe website says delegates who become
a part of the organisation, started in the US, compete with the hope of
advancing their careers, personal and humanitarian goals, and of improving the
lives of others. There may be some truth in this. According to Daniel Hamermesh
author of Beauty Pays, an economist has found that beauty is absolutely
connected with success, at least financial success.
Miss Universe Australia 2011 winner Sherri-Lee
Biggs says for her the pageant is a stepping stone into a career in modelling
and television. "You meet all the right people; you're out there and you
kind of become a personality…”
But, low self esteem is more common amongst the
beautiful people than you would expect. Some just don’t believe they are
attractive. Others have a distorted self image and don’t believe others who
tell them how stunning they are. Thus, generally speaking, in their mind
everyone is a “liar” and not to be trusted. What’s worse, some are dependent on
the first impression reaction of others to define who they are, ie someone who
has it all because their beautiful.
