Photoshopped into a Cover Model

Buzzfeed recently did a experiment where they had four “regular women” be photoshopped into the typical cover model. The women all modeled in a professional photoshoot, and later their images were altered on the computer by a photoshop expert. Afterwords the women were shown their new images. The result? A form of disillusionment, with one … Continue reading →

Redefining the Stock

Stock photos; they are everywhere. They are utilized in advertisements, products in pre-sale, articles, and elsewhere. You can find them on the internet, in print, and in databases. I have always been curious as to who these people are and why they were chosen for these images. Are they picked because they are nondescript, attractive … Continue reading →

Power in Female Nudity

I’ll start off with the disclaimer that I have never actually seen an episode Girls. Currently, it is in the long list of shows I will one day get to. However the show, and Lena Dunham in particular, seems to constantly come up in discussion of feminism and representation of women so perhaps I’ll get … Continue reading →

Noncompetive Beauty: Why I Quit Makeup

A woman began to look at herself in a new way one day, and wrote about it, not unlike what I am about to do. She describes a realization she had about herself – specifically about her face – while looking in a mirror late one night.  What I loved most about this face, and … Continue reading →

Stunning Nude Photo Series Challenges What It Means to Be ‘Attractive’ (NSFW)

Have you noticed the similarities between the way you pose in photographs and the sexy poses portrayed in media and advertisements? I sure have. Do you pull your shoulders back and smile with your eyes? Most likely. Do you exaggerate curves that you may or may not have? Take a look through your photos on … Continue reading →

When Life Hands You Lululemon [Write a Rant on Your Feminist Blog]

I’m angry. I’m sure you’ve heard about the scandal involving Lululemon Athletica, an extremely popular yoga-inspired, athletic wear retailer. Last Spring, Lululemon had produced a batch of their supposedly magical, pricey yoga pants that were overly sheer and therefore exposing the bums of a select group of customers who were unlucky enough to buy pants … Continue reading →

Down With Cosmo!

Everyday Feminism published “10 Things Cosmo Doesn’t Teach Women About Great Sex”. Attention readers, Cosmopolitan magazine is not the sex manual! The articles and advice that Cosmo features regarding sex are heteronormative (a world view that promotes heterosexuality as the norm or preferred sexual orientation), sexist, and cissexist (“a cis person is one for whom … Continue reading →

A Lineage of Women Shrinking

“I wonder if my lineage is one of women shrinking, making space for the entrance of men into their lives not knowing how to fill it back up once they leave” – Lily Myers’ Shrinking Women Lily Myers performing for Wesleyan University at the 2013 College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational. This poem was awarded Best … Continue reading →

Seriously… Breast Ironing? The Damnation of Women’s Bodies

Thanks to civilizeme for this link to The Frisky’s post “What the Hell is ‘Breast Ironing’?” I haven’t seen the documentary referenced, but the concept is pretty hard to stomach. By flattening a young girl’s developing nipples so she doesn’t incite men to lust, a girl is not only held responsible for men’s actions, but … Continue reading →

Matchmaker, Matchmaker… DON’T make me a match!

Hoochies, I really don’t want to admit this, but I will. I watch The Millionaire Matchmaker.  Now, on many counts, this show is pretty despicable. The premise is addictive: Patti Stanger, a 3rd generation matchmaker in LA, sets up rich men through her Millionaire’s Club, the website of which looks like an advertisement for a … Continue reading →