LibGuides: Research Makeovers: Part 3: Culture

Description

Learn how to research beauty culture and social issues, because beauty is more than skin deep.

Research Tips

When searching for information about the culture of beauty, try using a combination of the following search terms. Also, look for advanced search boxes to enter search term combinations and select boolean phrases (AND, OR, NOT).

Culture of Beauty
Beauty
Aesthetics
Personal beauty
Cosmetology
Culture
Popular culture

Search the following databases to find more information about the culture of beauty.

Diversity Studies Collection This link opens in a new window Gale OneFile: Diversity Studies prepares researchers for social science, history, and liberal arts coursework. This collection explores cultural differences, contributions, and influences in the global community.
Films on Demand This link opens in a new window (Films Media Group) - Streaming video from large and small production companies covering a wide range of subjects to enhance college courses. These videos include public performance rights that allow them to be used in the educational setting. Funded by: Statewide Allocation
Opposing Viewpoints This link opens in a new window Online experience for those seeking contextual information and opinions on hundreds of today's hottest social issues. Drawing on the acclaimed Greenhaven Press series, the new solution features continuously updated viewpoint articles, topic overviews, full-text magazines, academic journals, news articles, primary source documents, statistics, images, videos, audio files and links to vetted websites organized into a user-friendly portal experience. Funded by: Statewide Allocation

Search the following journals to find more information about the culture of beauty.

Search the following websites to find more information about the culture of beauty.

Psychology Today

Browse a sample of articles from the SPC library to learn more about the culture of beauty.

Culture of Beauty "The culture of beauty refers to the prevalent standard of physical attractiveness as dictated by popular opinion."
Yes, You Can Be Too Beautiful
Why Some Men Go to Salons for Haircuts "The difference between a clipper cut at the barber shop and “pampering” at the salon has roots in gender ideology and class structure."
How Body Positivity Coexists with Fat Shaming "Retail workers at a plus-size clothing store had to promote the contradictory messages that every body is beautiful and that being fat is bad."
Facing Ourselves Online "The photographic pressure to curate our faces is inextricable from the online pressure to curate our lives; to present and perform."

Browse a sample of videos from the SPC library to learn more about the culture of beauty.

Beauty in the Eyes of the Beheld
Full Video (54:29)
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"A study of skin-deep attractiveness, the video offers empowering insights into inner beauty."
Body Image
Segment 5 (03:04)
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"At 16, the adolescents are more critical of their bodies than they were at the age of seven. This shift is due to changes in the prefrontal cortex and a society that subjects youth to criticism through social media."
Body Image for Boys
Full Video (18:13)
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This topical program explores some of the issues facing young men today as they struggle to define themselves amidst the flood of media-generated images of male physical perfection."
A Close Shave (Male Beauty Ideals)
Full Video (11:32)
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"In this episode, we take a look back on a century in which men became customers of the beauty industry."
Miss You Can Do It
Full Video (52:37)
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"This uplifting HBO Documentary Film chronicles the efforts of Abbey Curran, a former Miss Iowa USA and the first woman with a disability to compete in the Miss USA Pageant®, and eight girls with various disabilities as they participate in the Miss You Can Do It pageant."
Steroids, Syringes and Stigma: the Quest for the Perfect Male Six-Pack
Full Video (07:50)
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"In the search for a quick route to a muscular physique, many young men turn to controversial anabolic steroids to achieve their goals."
Transbeauty
Full Video (42:05)
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"In this episode, Lisa takes a revealing look inside the exciting, emotional competition that is the world's most prestigious transgender beauty pageant."

For more help, view our collection of tutorials, guides, and other training materials.

Basic Library Research Overview

Beauty Tips with Andrea

My best kept beauty secret is all about double-cleansing! It has been so helpful when it comes to keeping my skin clear, clean, and healthy, especially after wearing makeup. First, I use either a gentle oil (like almond or grapeseed oil) or an oil-based cleanser to remove any makeup, and then I follow that by washing my face normally with soap and water. It gets my skin squeaky clean without drying it out or irritating it.

Disclaimers

This research guide is for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this guide or in the SPC databases.
All quoted descriptions are taken from the corresponding source.