Allure magazine recently published the results of a survey called “State of Beauty” in which researchers interviewed 1000 women and 500 men to discover how people feel about their physical appearance.  Respondents, aged 18 to 64, were asked their views on topics such as weight, age, and cosmetic surgery.  This study discovered more positive results than some might expect to find in our society today.  More than ninety percent of the women surveyed state that they are satisfied with their appearance.  Two-thirds say their partner would describe them as beautiful.  Half say they have the ability to control their weight on their own. 

The study also found that confidence increases in women as they age.  Reports of confidence seemed to correlate with motherhood and increased income and age.  The study found the most confident women were in their 50s and 60s and the majority were not concerned with “looking less beautiful” as they continue to age.  Confidence and looking good were two of the most important sources of strength for women today. 

The men were surveyed to measure the ways each sex perceives one another when it comes to beauty.  Chief Editor at Allure says that women are taking care of themselves for the sake of their own health and beauty, but there always seems to be an underlying sense of “what will men think of all this?”  For example, 98 percent of women will tell their partner they’ve received Botox, but only six percent will inform their mate about waxing or bleaching facial hair.  Of the men surveyed, one-quarter believe that just knowing about the Botox is more than enough information. 

Another interesting finding of this study was the way body parts were perceived by men and women.  Nearly forty percent of women surveyed said their eyes were their favorite feature.  The majority of women, however, believed that men’s favorite female feature is the breasts.  When the men were surveyed, one-third said the eyes took the prize. 

Forty nine percent of the women surveyed state they have not considered cosmetic surgery to change their looks.  Many women cited the word “natural” as a word they would want others to use when describing them.  The majority of women say they want to improve their looks with less invasive and less drastic means of augmenting beauty.  Women spend an average of $50 every month on beauty products.  That’s $600 a year. 

Some experts believe that beauty is particularly relevant in our culture today, which is supported by a number of statistics.  For example, more than nine million cosmetic surgeries were performed in 2004, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.  The number of people seeking plastic surgery increased by 700 percent between the years 1992 and 2004.  The acceptability of beauty endeavors is constantly evolving.  Ten years ago, people did not talk openly about plastic surgery.  Today, cosmetic surgery is on the lips of those from all walks of life.  TV shows now showcase plastic surgery, reflecting society’s increasing acceptance of the practice.