Perfection

Yesterday the British government watchdog banned two L'Oreal print ads because they were 'misleading to the consumer.'  The politician behind this decision, Lib Dem Jo Swinson says, "There's a big picture here, which is half of young women between 16 and 21 say they would consider cosmetic surgery and we've seen eating disorders more than doubled in the last 15 years.  This ban sends a powerful message to advertisers -- let's get back to reality."

I guess I'm confused.  A reality without makeup?  Or a reality without supermodels wearing the makeup in advertisements?

While I applaud her goal - a world where women feel comfortable in their own skin - I have to say I found this just a teensy bit ridiculous.  Banning a magazine ad of Julia Roberts' face isn't going to impact anorexia numbers one bit.  In fact, the implication that government intervention is required to prevent women in general from mass misconception would be funny if it weren't so patronizing.  Heads up!  We don't think a $7 pot of foundation is going to turn us in to Julia Roberts or Christy Turlington.

I need my government to protect me from lead in my kids' toys and radiator fluid in dog food.  I don't need my government to protect me from delusion.

I don't have the answers.  Wish I did.  I spent the first 40 years of my life wishing for less height, straight hair and smaller feet.  I can't even tell you what was different at 40 - wisdom perhaps.  I find myself surrounded by the friends who like me, in all my wonky weirdness, and letting all the others go.  I don't really have any tolerance for the "friends" who buy me beauty products "to help."  Nor the ones who come to inspect my housekeeping or compare kids.

Perfection to me is hours spent laughing with my gorgeous friends - who come in all shapes and size, ages and genders.  It is sitting down to dinner with a spouse and children who have so much to tell each other that long after the food is cleared, we are still sitting there.  Perfection is wonky weirdness.  Because how boring would the world be if we all looked and acted the same?  Even if we all looked like Julia Roberts and George Clooney...