Mirror/Mirror: Women’s Reflections on Beauty, Age, and Media
Women want to see more realistic images of themselves, at all ages, in beauty product advertising, according to a recent AARP study. The annual study focuses on women’s attitudes about beauty + grooming, aging, and portrayals in advertising.
The 2021 edition includes the impact COVID-19 is having on women, especially in regards to health and physical appearance. AARP released reports surveying Black women’s and Latina’s attitudes towards beauty and advertising too.
Key findings include:
- Shifted focus on health and inner peace over appearance
- Changing beauty and grooming routines and buying habits
- Unmet beauty needs, especially related to perimenopause and menopause
- Lack of accurate representation in ads, as well as products tailored to age, skin tone, and hair type.
In 2022, AARP shares a series of infographics showing the discrimination women experience in the workplace and in everyday life, as well as the impact it has on their wellness.
Segments include:
- Women 50+
- Working women 18+
- Black women 50+
- Latinas 50+
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Women 50+.