Consuming Female Beauty

Exploring the evolution of female beauty ideals in nineteenth-century British print culture, this study highlights the shift from traditional views tied to nature and morality to those influenced by consumer culture. It emphasizes the role of girls' and women's magazines, beauty manuals, and fiction in reshaping perceptions of femininity. By examining archival sources, the author uncovers significant historical changes that laid the groundwork for contemporary beauty standards and their dissemination. Michelle J. Smith, a Senior Lecturer at Monash University, presents this comprehensive analysis.