Featured on the Dove website: Real Beauty–No Apologies
One of the beauty companies I have the strongest admiration for and connection with is Dove, who walks the walk when it comes to supporting women and self-esteem. Their Campaign for Real Beauty remains one of the most powerful, important ad initiatives in recent history, and I was honored when they asked me to blog for their website. The topic posed to me: “How can we make real beauty a reality in the media?“ Below is part of my response; please visit the Dove website here to read the rest:
Recently, I went out with a guy I met through an online dating site. While sipping drinks, we casually chatted and sized each other up. The chemistry was there, and I felt at ease, laughing, joking and swapping stories without any of the standard first date jitters. I was on fire! It felt great.
As we strolled from the first location to the second, my new Prince Charming turned to me and, apropos of nothing, asked quizzically, “Where do you get your confidence from?”
I was confused. “What do you mean?”
He shrugged. “Don’t get me wrong—you’re a really pretty girl. I mean, you have a gorgeous face. But…well, you’re not exactly skinny and—” he gestured to my chest “—what are you, an A-cup? Plus you have braces,” he said, referring to the wires I’d recently had affixed to my crooked bottom teeth. “So, you know…where do you get your confidence from?”
“I don’t know,” I said icily. “I’m just confident. Sorry.”
Check, please.
Later that night, after I’d called my friends and received consoling shrieks of “No!” “He said that?” and “What a creep!”, I first felt sad—way to call me out on every single one of my physical issues, buddy!—but then I got angry…
Click here to learn more about Dove’s programs to boost girls’ self-esteem
Tags: Campaign for Real Beauty, Dove
October 20th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
Wow, I have never heard such a thing. Who does that? There is the number one reason this guy is single and will hopefully stay that way.
Don’t take it serious…he is prob reflecting his own shortcomings onto you. What a jerk. You are beautiful and have a great heart!
October 21st, 2009 at 6:54 am
Wow. Great article thanks for sharing.
What do you recommend for boosting one’s self confidence though? I’m still working with dealing with jerks like the one in your article.
October 21st, 2009 at 8:19 am
Ew. What, was this guy perfect that he could say something like this to another person!?
This reminds me of a story I heard about some guys in a bar. They were watching TV and a report came in that Cindy Crawford had just gotten married. The guys started moaning, “Aw, crap, lost my chance” et cetera. C’mon. Like any of you slobs would have had a chance anyway.
Thank you for turning this into a positive “a-ha” moment for all of us!
October 21st, 2009 at 8:57 am
How in the world could he possibly say that you are not exactly skinny? I’ve seen your pictures–you are a very slim girl! That is crazy!
October 21st, 2009 at 9:44 am
Oh, no he didn’t! Anyways, the joke’s on him because you are fabulous and people still don’t know who he is.
October 21st, 2009 at 10:00 am
Oh, no he didn’t! Anyways, the joke’s on him because you are fabulous and people still don’t know who he is.
Sorry, forgot to add great post! Can’t wait to see your next post!
October 21st, 2009 at 11:17 am
That seriously happened? What a tool. I guess you must come a cross as uber confident that he thought he could say that to you and still walk away with his junk intact. Stay confident chica and A-cups don’t droop!
October 21st, 2009 at 11:32 am
As someone with her own arsenal of online dating horror stories, I can sympathize, though I’m guessing his reaction had less to do with the media’s portrayal of beauty than a reflection of the girls he dates/works with/sees in LA. LA men wouldn’t recognize real beauty if it punched them in their over-coiffed head.
October 21st, 2009 at 1:58 pm
i hate men. this is why i am single haha
October 21st, 2009 at 7:22 pm
I read the rest of your article Nadine and it was great!!! The standards that girls are expected to live up to nowadays are ridiculous and it was great of you to point it out, as a person who works closely with beauty and fashion. You are a great role model Nadine and a person that people can really look up to. I love reading your blog and getting your insight on things- keep up the good work!
October 21st, 2009 at 7:23 pm
oh and that guy is a loser…i hope he comes across that article and realizes what a jerk he sounded like!
October 23rd, 2009 at 9:34 am
Wow….what a loser. With an attitude like that he will never get a chance to be with a smart, secure, successful woman. He will end up with a mindless, shallow, empty headed one, then when he’s 47 and he realized he made the wrong choice he will announce that he is unhappy.. divorce her, she will take all his money and he’ll realize that he wasted his time. Tragic….keep him away from the rest of us LOL