Skin Deep?

Whatever happened to "Beauty is only skin deep"? Judging by how often I hear girls (and some guys) talk about their outward appearance, I think it'd be safe to assume that a vast majority of today's young people missed that memo.

When I get up in the morning (on the days where I actually get up in the morning), the first thing I see is my sister checking herself in the mirror, applying her makeup, and then re-checking for any zits and/or blemishes she may have missed. I imagine that this is the same scene that plays out every morning in every bathroom across America.

Now, I'm not condemning makeup or the idea of trying to look your best, but it's probably not healthy to obsess over it. How can you tell if you're obsessing over how you look? Allow me. If you spend more time each morning looking at yourself in the mirror than you do providing your body with the key nutrients and energy that it needs to actually function for the day, you're obsessing.

So it's Winter time and you're worried about keeping up your complexion?  Not to fear, that's why God gave us spray paint and the power to produce artificial light (all of which is completely safe, by the way) in the form of tanning salons. Because God knows that a little Melanoma is a small price to pay for unleashing the darker, sexier you that's been hiding under your pale, ugly skin this whole time!

If this describes you, don't worry you are not alone. I know a few notables who'd love to squeeze in an appointment with you at the beauty parlor: Snooki, Paris Hilton, Ryan Seacrest,  Adam Lambert, Winona Ryder (if she hasn't already been banned from that particular beauty parlor for klepting something), and Zac Effron, just to name a few (I'd include Brad Pitt on this list, but, let's face it: he's too gorgeous to be seen with any of you).

Feel stupid yet? Good. That's called progress. This post isn't meant to make fun of or "bash" anybody. Instead, simply point out how silly it is to try and live up to some imaginary standard of beauty that's been set by magazines, billboards, and television shows and advertisements, all of which are meant to get you to buy some product through means of making you feel inadequate. If wearing makeup or being tan honestly makes you feel better about yourself, then go for it. Just realize that you don't need those things to be free your inner swan.