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On Beauty and Its Opposite: Writing Toward Aesthetic Force

On Beauty and Its Opposite: Writing Toward Aesthetic Force

Matthew Clark Davison and Alice LaPlante on the Importance of the Singular Image

By Matthew Clark Davison and Alice LaPlante | July 18, 2025

How Colorism Impacts Black Women’s Physical and Mental Health

How Colorism Impacts Black Women’s Physical and Mental Health

Layal Liverpool on Racist Beauty Standards and the Hidden Harms of Hair Relaxers

By Layal Liverpool | June 17, 2024

Between Desirability and Possibility: On the Beauty of the Aging Female Body

Between Desirability and Possibility: On the Beauty of the Aging Female Body

Darcey Steinke Considers the Work of Linda Troeller and the Liberatory Potential of the Self-Portrait

By Darcey Steinke | March 7, 2024

Taking Down the System, Seductively: On Women Who Use Beauty as Currency

Taking Down the System, Seductively: On Women Who Use Beauty as Currency

Celine Saintclare Recommends Mona Awad, Emma Cline, Frances Cha, and More

By Celine Saintclare | January 12, 2024

More Than Meets the Eye: On the Ancient Origins and Diverse Uses of Eyeliner

More Than Meets the Eye: On the Ancient Origins and Diverse Uses of Eyeliner

Zahra Hankir Explores the Cosmetic’s Relationship with Beauty, Power and Spirituality

By Zahra Hankir | December 5, 2023

We All Touch Ourselves: Fancy Feast on Beauty, Pleasure and Sexual Self-Actualization

We All Touch Ourselves: Fancy Feast on Beauty, Pleasure and Sexual Self-Actualization

"I want to offer comfort and be comforted by the company."

By Fancy Feast | October 12, 2023

Best Reviewed
Books of the Week

Mirror, Mirror: On the Intersection of Beauty, Power, and Motherhood

By Mona Awad | May 12, 2023

Easy Beauty by Chloé Cooper Jones, Read by the Author">Easy Beauty by Chloé Cooper Jones, Read by the Author

By Behind the Mic | May 12, 2022

Whither the Plain Female Protagonist? On “Great Beauty” in Literature

By Lucinda Rosenfeld | November 1, 2021

Jeff VanderMeer and Lili Taylor Talk Books, Birds, and Beauty

Jeff VanderMeer and Lili Taylor Talk Books, Birds, and Beauty

In Conversation with Megan Mayhew-Bergman

By Megan Mayhew Bergman | June 21, 2021

Kate Durbin on Finding Beauty in the Possessions That Possess Us

Kate Durbin on Finding Beauty in the Possessions That Possess Us

Hoarders">Chelsea Hodson Talks with the Author of Hoarders

By Chelsea Hodson | May 10, 2021

On Beauty Standards (and Privilege) in Memoir and Fiction

On Beauty Standards (and Privilege) in Memoir and Fiction

Reading Women Podcast Discusses Carly Findlay and Frances Cha">The Reading Women Podcast Discusses Carly Findlay and Frances Cha

By Reading Women | October 21, 2020

The Bluest Eye"> On Beauty, Sexual Violence, and Toni Morrison's <em

On Beauty, Sexual Violence, and Toni Morrison's <em

The Bluest Eye">

The Bluest Eye">On Beauty, Sexual Violence, and Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye

Kanako Nishi: "Morrison neither consoled me as a victim, nor condemned me as the perpetrator."

By Kanako Nishi | October 20, 2020

Reading Women on Books That Reckon with Beauty Privilege"> <em

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Reading Women on Books That Reckon with Beauty Privilege">

Reading Women on Books That Reckon with Beauty Privilege">Reading Women on Books That Reckon with Beauty Privilege

Kendra Winchester and Sumaiyya Naseem Introduce October's Theme

By Reading Women | October 7, 2020

Why Are We Fascinated by Strange Faces?

Why Are We Fascinated by Strange Faces?

Namwali Serpell Considers the "Smiling Disease" Exhibit, the Elephant Man, Michael Jackson, and Cleopatra

By Namwali Serpell | September 29, 2020

'Books of Secrets'"> Before Beauty Vlogging, There Were Renaissance<br

Before Beauty Vlogging, There Were Renaissance<br

'Books of Secrets'">

'Books of Secrets'">Before Beauty Vlogging, There Were Renaissance
'Books of Secrets'

Meghan Racklin on the History and Alchemy of Self-Care

By Meghan Racklin | January 15, 2020

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