In “Ode on a Grecian Urn”, John Keats leaves us with a thought-provoking conclusion: “Beauty is truth, truth beauty.” But what does that really mean? In a …
Paducah
The Masks We Wear
In the realm of philosophy, Leo Gura of Actualized dives deep into solipsism—the idea that every person we meet is actually ourselves, hiding behind different …
Blind to Our Own Beauty
Photo: Imagine Images Photo
Changing the Viewer, Not the Viewed
Have you ever considered that the pressure to change may not come from the mirror but from those looking at you? Society has a way …
Reflection
Christina Aguilera’s iconic song Reflection from Mulan is more than just a power ballad—it’s an emotional anthem about identity, self-acceptance, and the struggle to reconcile who we are …
Wake Up Made Up
“Don’t try this at home”… but we’re doing it anyway. Ever had one of those nights where the idea of taking your makeup off just …
Uglies
The new movie Uglies paints a world where beauty is engineered, and everyone is transformed into a “Pretty” on their 16th birthday. But here’s the catch—once people …
Selling the Dream, Not the Routine
It’s strange how many celebrities decide to jump into the beauty industry with their own brands after years of being complimented on their flawless hair, …
The Rebirth Effect
At the end of a long day, the ritual of removing makeup can feel like a symbolic shedding of the layers we wear both physically …
Face + Physique
Faces and bodies can sometimes feel like they’re competing for attention because they can present entirely different aesthetics within the same person. For example, someone …