attractiveness

by Cristen Conger | Jul 2, 2014

I'd wager that around 99.9 percent of "swimsuit season" anxiety perpetuated by advertising and weight-loss articles are targeted toward women and girls (Men's Health subscribers, correct me if I'm wrong here). Why? Because guys don't have to flaunt it all in a bikini, so they have no reason to be body conscious, right?

by Cristen Conger | Apr 11, 2014

by Cristen Conger | Jun 21, 2013

In 1855, PT Barnum organized America's first modern beauty pageant, which sought to crown "the handsomest ladies" of the time. Actually, an unmarried winner would receive a dowry in exchange for her lovely looks, and married gals would get diamond tiara (to wear around the home?). The language Barnum stuck out to me because it's such a contrast to how we might, say, describe the newly minted Miss USA. In Barnum's days, though,that "handsomest" descriptor had developed a striking specificity. In an excellent etymological exploration of "handsome" at The Beheld, Autumn Whitefield-Madrano reveals how:

by Cristen Conger | Mar 17, 2011