Embracing Your Side Profile
Writing & Creative Directing By Sophia Lins
Modeling By Lilly Templeton, Sophia Lins, Chris Pajda, Ashlee Finke, & Betty Sue
Photography By Hal Lueking
It seems like every other day a new TikTok trend appears, begging users to showcase and scrutinize their natural features. The most recent victim: side profiles. Whether its a filter that automatically generates an outline of your side profile, or one that gives you a cartoonish, large, hooked nose so you can breathe a sigh of relief when the filter comes off, an emphasis on tiny, ski-slope noses and “traditionally attractive” features is festering on certain sides of the internet. With that being said, it’s no surprise a majority of us are insecure about the way our side profiles appear. Some might be insecure by the way our noses, chins, foreheads, jawlines, or any other feature look. Being self-conscious about a body part that some are willing to go under the knife for is nothing to be ashamed of, but it shouldn’t be the default. We all should embrace what we have and be proud. We are all unique and beautiful in our own ways.
Gisele Bündchen, a Brazilian supermodel, has faced criticism for the way her nose looks. When Gisele started in the modeling industry, some said she wouldn’t make it because of her nose, but she proved them wrong. Now, she is one of the most famous and best-paid models of all time. Even most supermodels, like Gisele Bündchen, don’t have that cookie cutter face everyone thinks supermodels have. Having the perfect button nose or side profile should not define the way you view yourself. Beauty is becoming more diverse as features once viewed as ‘ugly’ are now considered beautiful.
There are many well known people who do not have a “perfect” side profile—Sophia Loren, an Italian actress from the 50s, is one of them. At the time, her management team wanted her to get her nose done since it was considered to be too long. Loren said in The Hollywood Reporter, “They were saying that my nose was too long and my mouth was too big.” The cameraman would bother her by suggesting she should touch up her nose, but she refused, explaining she would never have work done on her face because she liked the way she looked.
Having that perfect side profile that social media praises should not be the basis of what we compare ourselves to. Beauty is within the beholder, and you should embrace what you have rather than being ashamed of it. You are beautiful in your own way and there is nothing to be insecure about despite society’s unrealistic beauty standards. One way to help boost your confidence is to take pictures of your side profile and look at these photos. Try not to criticize yourself over a double chin or a long nose, because at the end of the day it’s just you and your face. With that being said, it’s normal to have those features and it's common among everyone. We hold ourselves to unrealistic standards because of social media's influence on what we think we should look like. We all have to learn to love and accept our side profile because we are made in a special way. Another helpful tip is looking back at old family pictures of your grandparents or great-grandparents and analyzing their features—look at where you get your beauty from! Ignoring what social media considers as “beauty standards” is another helpful way to stay in touch with yourself. It’s hard to embrace what you are insecure about, it's easier said than done. You may want to hide or cover up said insecurity, but there is nothing to be ashamed about. Body positivity is the new trend and being grateful for that feature that serves its purpose is a level of confidence. Don’t hide or turn in a different direction to show the better side of your face, be comfortable with yourself. Remember to embrace what you have and love it!
