Beauty as secular religion

The Epstein Files have revealed social and financial relationships throughout the beauty industry - and a toxic veneration for youth. Is it time for the public to reckon with what the powerful tell us is and isn't "beautiful?" 

Host Brittany Luse wonders: can society let go of decades old obsession with youthfulness? Luckily, Jessica DeFino, reporter, critic, and author of the FLESH WORLD substack, joins the show to answer that question and unpack how we’ve made beauty our God.

(0:00) How the beauty industry shows up in the Epstein Files
(3:24) Why the language of "self-care" is hypocritical post-Epstein
(6:06) The beauty industry's obsession with youth
(11:55) The secular religion of beauty
(19:59) America's Next Top Model & the internalization of beauty standards
(24:30) Tyra Banks & the power you lose in pursuit of power

Correction, March 19, 2026
A previous version of this episode incorrectly said that the 1970s tagline “because innocence is sexier than you think” was used to promote Maybelline products. It was used in advertisements for Love’s Baby Soft products.

Want more about beauty and power? Check out these IBAM episodes:
"Looksmaxxing" is teaching men that pretty hurts.
Peptides & the pursuit of the "perfect" body
The privilege of being "skinny"

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