BUSINESS: SPECTRA OF BEAUTY

Spectra Of Beauty

Allergan Aesthetics’ ‘Spectra of Beauty’ report shows people see progress in media depictions – but more work is needed.

Findings from the national

Spectra of Beauty survey of 2,250 Australians have recently been released, offering the first research of its kind into beauty and diversity in our country. Commissioned by Allergan Aesthetics, the report covers aspects such as gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity or cultural background and age.

It has never been more important than now, for our industry, to take meaningful steps to genuinely include and represent the true beauty a diverse population brings

Overall, the findings were generally positive, especially in the area of representation of gender, with 7 out of 10 respondents liking how the beauty industry features “a mix of gender styles”, with the fluidity of masculine and feminine characteristics. In addition, 7 out of 10 overall felt their background and ethnicity are well portrayed in the media. The average score of 6.3 out of 10 when it comes to the local beauty industry’s presentation of diversity in media demonstrates there is certainly scope for improvement.

Courtesy of Allergan Aesthetics

“It has never been more important than now, for our industry, to take meaningful steps to genuinely include and represent the true beauty a diverse population brings,” said Nathalie McNeil, Associate Vice President and General Manager at Allergan Aesthetics Australia. “As the evolving discussion of diversity sits front and centre, we must recognise there is not a one-size-fitsall approach to beauty, and the focus must increasingly be on advocating and supporting positive self-image, being true to oneself and inclusivity.”

Courtesy of Allergan Aesthetics

The Spectra of Beauty report also shows Australians surveyed have a strong preference for creating authentic looks reflecting their sense of identity, with 79% believing it has become more acceptable to truly ‘be yourself’ in appearance.The survey also found Australians presented an evenly balanced view on whether to incorporate traditional beauty standards of their cultural background into their appearance, with 31% saying they ‘embrace their culture’s beauty standards’ while a similar proportion 27% “actively moving against them”. Around 11% seek out a beauty professional who can ‘tailor my look to my cultural background’.

Courtesy of Allergan Aesthetics

“The deep emotional connections we make between our beauty and external appearance, and our internal sense of identity, is very powerful,” said Dr Davin Lim, Dermatologist based in Queensland. “Whether it’s cultural heritage, gender or age, we as practitioners need to be open to all views, because everyone has different traits they want to express. The idea of a universal beauty type dictated by social media, seems to be shifting to a more authentic, individualised representation.”

Courtesy of Allergan Aesthetics

Overall, the research shows some Australians value the way beauty can contribute to feeling confident (37%) and to feeling good about themselves “regardless of what others think” (37%). Allergan Aesthetics have chosen to undertake this research to better understand the needs of Australians and how beauty connects to our identity and emotions. “The findings highlight how everyone can find inspiration and confidence through beauty and individualism,” says McNeil. “We need to manage this responsibility with the utmost care, respect and consideration.”