How Women Are Redefining Beauty in Advertising

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Impressionistic digital painting of diverse women's faces, bold lipstick, cracked mirror, neon brushes.
Impressionistic digital painting of diverse women's faces, bold lipstick, cracked mirror, neon brushes.

Women redefining beauty in advertising is, like, a total thing now, and I’m honestly kinda obsessed. I’m sitting here in my tiny Brooklyn apartment, with my cat knocking over coffee mugs and the TV blaring some skincare ad that’s actually kinda dope. Saw this one commercial the other day—a woman with stretch marks, owning them like they’re art. Hit me right in the feels, ‘cause I’m always staring at my own reflection in my smudgy bathroom mirror, overanalyzing every little imperfection. Seeing real women—flaws, quirks, all that jazz—in ads? It’s a whole mood, and I’m just gonna ramble about it, ‘kay?

Why Women Redefining Beauty Hits Me Hard

So, real talk. I was at this bodega last week, scrolling Insta while waiting for my sandwich, probably smelling like stale coffee and bad decisions. Then, bam—this body lotion ad pops up with a curvy woman, freckles everywhere, laughing like she’s got no cares. Stopped me dead in my tracks. Reminded me of high school when I tried to “erase” my freckles with some sketchy cream. Spoiler: my face looked like a bad sunburn for days. Total disaster. But these ads with women redefining beauty, showing real skin and real vibes? It’s like they’re saying, “Yo, you’re good as is,” and I’m here for it.

It’s not just me being sappy. Brands are finally catching on that women are over the whole perfect-Barbie shtick. I read somewhere—think it was a Dove campaign page—that most women redefining beauty in advertising with real body types, ages, everything. Like, 67% or something? That’s a lot. Brands like Fenty Beauty and Aerie are stepping up, showing women of all colors, sizes, whatever. It’s messy, it’s not perfect, but it’s something, and I’m eating it up like bodega fries.

A photo of three women laughing, with confetti and makeup sketches on a table.
A photo of three women laughing, with confetti and makeup sketches on a table.

The Not-So-Pretty Side of Women Redefining Beauty

Okay, but let’s not get all starry-eyed. I was at a CVS in the city a few weeks back, flipping through some magazine while waiting for my meds. Half the ads were still pushing that flawless, poreless, “nobody looks like this” vibe. Made me wanna yeet the magazine across the store. Didn’t, ‘cause, y’know, I’m not trying to get banned, but it got me thinking. Are brands really about women redefining beauty, or is this just some trendy PR move?

Some are legit, though. Like, Savage X Fenty—Rihanna’s lingerie line doesn’t play. Their ads have women with disabilities, trans women, plus-size women, all strutting like they own the joint. I tried on one of their bras once, felt like a queen even with my chipped nails and one sock missing. But then you got brands—won’t name names—that just toss in a “diverse” model and call it a day. Like, really? That’s it? Feels like they’re just checking a box, and I’m not here for that fake energy.

My Own Mess-Ups and What I’m Learning

Alright, gonna get real vulnerable here. Back in college, I was all about trying to look like those “perfect” ad girls. Spent hours at the gym, chugging gross kale smoothies that tasted like lawn clippings. Didn’t work. Just made me hangry and broke. I’m still a work in progress, but seeing women redefining beauty in ads is like a big ol’ reality check. I’m starting to be cool with my weird knee scar from that time I fell roller-skating after too many beers. Or my laugh that sounds like a dying hyena. These ads are showing me it’s fine to be a little chaotic.

Here’s my two cents from screwing it up:

  • Ditch the perfection chase. Ads are starting to show stretch marks and wrinkles—own yours too.
  • Support the real ones. Buy from brands like Aerie or Glossier that actually mean it.
  • Call out the BS. If a brand’s “inclusivity” feels like a stunt, shade them on X or wherever.
Digital painting of a hand holding a cracked compact mirror reflecting a smiling woman.
Digital painting of a hand holding a cracked compact mirror reflecting a smiling woman.

Where’s This Women-Redefining-Beauty Thing Going?

I’m kinda hopeful, sitting here with my radiator hissing like it’s mad at me. I want ads that look like my neighbor with her purple hair and wheelchair, or my barista with her tats and gap-toothed grin. I saw some Nielsen stat saying diverse ads get, like, 20% more engagement. That’s not just warm fuzzies—it’s straight-up business sense. But I’m not delusional. Some brands’ll keep pushing the same airbrushed nonsense, and it’s on us to keep them honest. Share the good ads, drag the lazy ones, you know?

A photo of a Times Square billboard featuring an ad with diverse women, with confetti.
A photo of a Times Square billboard featuring an ad with diverse women, with confetti.

Wrapping Up My Ramble on Beauty in Ads

So, yeah, women redefining beauty in advertising is chaotic, flawed, and I’m totally into it. Just me, sipping cold coffee in Brooklyn, yelling about ads like it’s my job. This shift feels like it’s rewriting what beauty means, and I’m here for every messy bit of it. Got a fave ad that’s doing it right? Drop it in the comments or hit up X. Let’s keep this chat going—what’s your take?

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