Dove "Real Beauty" Campaign

Since Dove came out with their "Real Beauty" campaign in 2004 I have had a problem with it. I've understood where the company is coming from and I have thought that they have done it wrong. I don't like that they, like all other modeling jobs, stick to a narrow body type. Where are the apple shapes? Wear are the extreme pear shapes? Where are the ruler shapes? What about the strawberries? Sure, that's the shape of a model, but they're beautiful, too.I didn't like that they were trying to fight the over-sexualizing of women by using women in underwear.  People give Victoria's Secret a hard time because their models are so sexualized. I saw only three differences between Victoria's Secret and Dove.

1. Victoria's Secret sells bras, panties, lingerie, etc. Dove sells soap, deoderant, shampoos, etc.
2. Victoria's Secret models are very skinny with large breasts and fairly young. Dove models are extra curvy hourglasses that are late-20s and older. And none of the Dove models look like they really tone much.
3. Victoria's Secret models are wearing interesting bras and panties (lacy, piped, pushups, whatever you want). Dove models are wearing plain bras and panties.

Another thing that bothers me is their check-box pictures. I don't find this appropriate. Who said that freckles aren't beautiful? There are freckled models and actresses. Who said gray hair isn't beautiful? There are also older models and actresses that have gray hair. In fact, there are quite a few people who think grey hair is distinguished. I see no difference between men with grey hair and women with grey hair and I'm marrying a man that's going grey and I will never let him dye his hair. Why? Cause I think it's sexy. My mom also told him that, if he dies his hair, he can't marry me. So why can't women have grey hair and the beauty of it go unquestioned? And wrinkles! Everyone will get wrinkles at some point. But there's a difference between an older woman with wrinkles who has taken care of her skin and one who has not. Don't make excuses for people not taking care of themselves. It's lazy.

But the one that bothered me most was this one. Boy or babe? What the heck is that all about? Since when does having short hair make you a boy? And the girl doesn't even look boyish! She has a fairly feminine face! Perhaps it's just because my hair is always short that this one bothers me so much. It also makes it look like Dove was stretching since there's definitely models with short hair. Have they never watched America's Next Top Model? Someone always gets her head shaved. Short hair is beautiful and striking. It's for those of us that have a wild side but don't want it to be so in-your-face as it could be. We're bold and brave and aren't attached to our hair. We understand how freeing it is to get your hair off your neck! So are we boys or babes? Babes! There's never been a question! Even if a girl purposely wants to look like a boy, she's still a babe. You know why? Cause she's trying something different and being herself.

But what really got attention, I think, is their video, "Evolution." I get why it got so big, I really do, I just don't agree with it. The point of the campaign is to make us feel beautiful, right? So why would you point out that this one girl needs so much work done to get to billboard ready? How does that make her feel? Also, who doesn't look better after putting on makeup and doing her hair? If you don't look better, you're doing it wrong. Yes, there's photoshopping, but the whole beginning part is just rude. I get that it's supposed to point out that what we see in the media is not reality, but why do you have to start before hair and makeup? To prove your point? Well good for you. You've touched the souls of so many women, but you've made this model and probably many other models feel horrible, like they're only pretty if they have photoshop to touch them up, even if their hair and makeup is done and done well. Bravo.

But my opinion is changing about the campaign. Why? Cause I think they finally got it right with their new video, "Real Beauty Sketches." The video doesn't make a person feel ugly. It doesn't show us that "media" is horrible, even though it's media itself. Instead, the focus is on the body image of the women. It's pointing out that women see all their flaws. Do I think they picked the most drastic ones? Yes. Do I think that's ok? In this case, yes. It's like doing a study on body image. You're going to find people who have a good body image along with the people that have bad body image. They used the most extreme changes so that they could most effectively reach their target audience. Instead of making a group of people feel ugly, this one simply helps women feel more beautiful. Dove, give yourself a pat on the back. You've finally got it right. It may have taken nine years, but you did it.