Opinion | The media’s obsession with youthful-looking celebrities is neither healthy nor empowering
- Famous figures spend untold amounts on trying to look younger than their advancing years
- The lure of the “fresh young face” also makes it difficult for women to age with dignity
Another day, another story in the media celebrating a youthful-looking 50-plus female celebrity.
How on earth does she do it? Well, having heaps of cash to splash on maintenance – whether it’s the latest expensive serum made from the root of an exotic plant from the Amazonian jungle or surgery courtesy of a knife or needle – sure does help. And let’s not forget that many of these stars can afford a personal trainer, yoga instructor, chef, nutritionist, spiritual adviser … the list goes on.
In Hong Kong, female consumers aged 35-44 spend an average of about HK$5,000 a year on skincare and cosmetic products, according to market-research giant Nielsen. But celebrities – no matter what age – are anything but average.
According to the International Business Times, American actress Jennifer Aniston, 51, spends more than US$200,000 annually on maintenance, and that includes a fitness and diet coach. Kudos to her for sharing her beauty budget – many get sliced, slathered and stretched in silence, claiming their youthful look is all down to good genes and hard work.
The media’s obsession with youthful-looking celebrities is neither healthy nor empowering – these stories just make the average woman feel hopeless. The lure of the “fresh young face” also makes it difficult for women to age with dignity. How many times have we seen stories or social media comments judging women for showing grey hairs, a natural part of the ageing process. “She’s let herself go,” is a common response.