Are women slaves to beauty? What does it take to feel beautiful? Maybe some time, makeup and a stunning dress; or at least that's what we have been programmed to believe. Without a doubt, all the makeup magazines, advertisements, and beauty tips have influenced women's beliefs about what it means to be beautiful. In our culture an artificial image of beauty has been imposed on every woman. I would like to start with the fact that women have always dedicated their time to beauty. Those who are devoted to their appearance very often believe that beauty brings power, popularity and success. Women believe it, because they grow up reading magazines that depict beautiful women in successful environments; not to mention the fact that they are famous models and world-famous people. Beautiful women are no longer just a priority for most advertising, but have become a walking target for working class employers. It is documented that the best-looking lawyers earn more than others after five years of practice, an effect that grows with experience (Biddle, 172). We cannot overlook the fact that it is always the most popular and beautiful girl who becomes prom or prom queen. While these are possible positive effects of the “beauty myth,” the negative results of female devotion to beauty undermine this value. These effects are that it costs a lot of money, it costs a lot of time, and in the long run, it costs a lot of pain. First, women spend huge amounts of money to improve their appearance. So here we are unable to escape the reality that we can never be flawless or free from imperfections; Furthermore, as long as women have the belief that all greatness lies... in the middle of paper... taking pleasure in wearing makeup "is like telling you to stop enjoying food, sex, or love" ( Newsweek vl127, 68 ). Just don't let this control your life and stop thinking that beauty should be judged by what you see on the outside. Now go out, buy your prom dress and do it for fun. Not because of who or what you should be. Works Cited Biddle, Jeff E & Hamermesh, David S. (1998). Beauty, productivity and discrimination: looks and lawyers' profits. Journal of Labor Economics, 16(30). 172.Morin, Carole. (1997). Glamor dead. United Kingdom: National Publishing Company.Malkin, Carole. (1990, February), True Colors Makeup Made to Measure for You. Working Woman, 104.Schmid, Wendy. (1994, August). Trick. Vogue, 198.Lieberman, Rhonda. (1995, April). Guys and Dolls. Art Form, 21.Springen, Karen. (1996, June). The eyes of the beholder. Newsweek, 68.