The pursuit of beauty often leads to diminishing returns, where each improvement brings less satisfaction and more stress. As you become more attractive, your brain normalizes the changes, fueling further obsession over flaws and comparisons. When enhancements like Botox or fillers are involved, this cycle intensifies, anchoring self-worth to fleeting aesthetics.
In contrast, makeup can offer a safer, ephemeral form of beauty. The act of applying and removing makeup reminds us of our sentience, aging, and humanity. It prompts us to ask: Are we chasing beauty, or are we running from something deeper?
Photos: Brad Rankin Studio