Real Beauty

There has been a lot of discussion about the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty. The core of it is that Dove is showing models who aren't as small or perfect as regular advertising models. The text encourages women to feel beautiful being real. Then they try to sell us anti-cellulite cream. That irony in itself could fill a discussion forum for weeks.

I work in advertising, so its obvious to me that this campaign has already succeeded beyond all Dove dreams. Whether you love it or hate it, you remember it, and you know what company did it. Before this, I had no idea Dove sold anything besides soap. Take a look at the campaign, read some of the many news articles, and check out some opinions.

There seems to be a gender split among those who do NOT like the ads. Men don't like it because they don't want to look at fat or imperfect women. Women don't like it because these models are way younger, thinner, and prettier than the vast majority of "real" women. How can this be? We all live in the real world together, and we are all exposed to the same advertising media. Its pretty common knowledge that both men and women pay WAY too much attention to how women look. So lets turn this around and see some "real" MEN in the ads.

I saw you smiling. OK, they aren't models, but they look better than most of the guys you see every day. Unless you live on campus. Now, ladies, think of the men you LOOK at. There's Cary Grant, Mel Gibson, Orlando Bloom (or whoever trips your trigger) in the movies, then there's good old whatshisname in the recliner. All we know about the movie stars is what we see, so why should we bother judging them on anything other than their looks? We know enough about whatshisname to appreciate a lot of other qualities besides appearance. Does the average guy understand this kind of split perception, or he still holding out the hope of running into Miss Perfection?

"Real" people know there is much more to beauty than meets the eye.

PS Speaking of beauty and real and stuff, take a look at the gallery on this creepy website for beautiful women in training. (Thanks Barbara!)


Thought for today: Why is it that most nudists are people you don't want to see naked?

Comments

[Graham]

It's true! I don't really think people put that much weight on beauty, we have a fair idea how we look and who we could 'pull'. Women put a lot down to weight/size/fatness/etc and think it has a big impact on their lives, which in truth, really it does. Everyone likes to look at a pretty lady or guy for that matter! There is a time when these things mean more tho, when you are single, the younger you are, want a job, etc. It's not he only worry people have tho, if I told you Dove had a new cream out that made you fitter, smarter, etc. I bet we would all buy it! :)

[Miss Cellania]

I would buy it ONLY if I had seen evidence of its worth in real life. By now, I'm pretty immune to advertising! You are right about the time these things mean more... NOW that I'm single.

[Chris]

I think the ladies are sexy. I like a women with a little meat on her bones. Skinny is not sexy.