Pretty Boys: Legendary Icons Who Redefined Beauty

Confession: I didn't read all the beauty tips, as I'm not really big on make up. I really enjoyed the history and cultural significance of makeup and skin care that this this book covered. It was really interesting to see how it played a role all around the world and throughout time. It also makes you realize how silly it is that guys are ostracized or made fun of if they wear make up. This book really is a champion for being yourself through style, even if that doesn't follow cultural norms and showcasing many others who have done the same through history. The only Thing I wasn't a fan of and this was a personal opinion, is the opinion that how we ‘look', our visual representation is what gives us worth. Don't get me wrong, I love to sport the things I'm passionate about in clothes and accessories,etc., but it doesn't define me as a person and I just feel our society puts much too much emphasis on the fact that the way we look defines us and that can lead to some pretty toxic and unhealthy avenues. I suppose that wasn't the aim of this book, but I found it curious that the BTS portion (which is why I read it as part of a BTS book club) was about what made them special were mostly NOT their looks, but what they have achieved through meaningful songs, a positive message and hard work. That's what defines them! I wish there had been more of that in the other areas that were covered, even while addressing the issue of men doing what is typically seen as the realm of women only and how that's not only okay, but really needs more acceptance in our own time in history. Overall it's a positive look at an issue rarely discussed with a lot of research to back it up, which is a good thing, but personally I wished it was balanced out with more than just visuals.