Bright Whites.

Is it just me, or is there something unsettling about artificially bright white teeth?

I realize that my opinion may not be de rigeur, especially in this Insta-perfect world of airbrushed skin, contoured faces, and overly injected lips – but please, just hear me out on this one.

Hygiene is a completely separate subject. I am here strictly to discuss modern beauty aesthetics. Of course, there is nothing wrong with the pursuit of physical perfection – I just find it unnerving that the masses seem to follow these trends blindly.

Bright white teeth are the new status symbol – the new holy trinity seems to be white teeth, this seasons “it” bag, and a pair of oversized designer sunglasses. I find artificially bright white teeth to be very pedestrian. Forget psychoanalysis – if you want to know a person, look at their teeth. Of course, there are exceptions, as always. I am simply speaking generally.

I suppose I feel the same way about bright white teeth as I do about the aging process, in general. Taking care of your smile is of the utmost importance, and I have no objection to making the best out of your beauty – but when you scrub those pearly whites saintly clean and bleach them beyond recognition into a sterile white smile fit for Stepford – this is where I get disturbed. Just think of all of the good bottles of red downed in good company, over whispered secrets and raucous laughter. Just think of all of those late nights spent in European cafe’s shrouded in thick clouds of cigarette smoke, nostalgic songs like “Fumo Blu” playing in the background. Just think of all of the cups of rich Turkish coffee sipped in early mornings with your best friend whilst discussing current events and local gossip.

I guess I dislike the fact that one would wipe away past transgressions, patina, character, and a lifetime of memories so easily. This is, of course, assuming that you believe (as I do, for the most part) your appearance reflects these qualities. Yes, you can make this argument with many aesthetic alterations – hair dye, injectables and plastic surgery, corsetry, etc. We are all given a certain canvas to work with – and working it is encouraged! I suppose I just wish that people were more informed on the “why” of things – a homogeneous sense of beauty is just as good as no sense of beauty at all.  I admit, sometimes it is tempting to follow the slick red lacquered soles that click clack quickly down the shimmering sidewalks – just don’t get sucked into the vacuum of vapidity. Always know the “why” of things – do you research and know the real reasons behind modern beauty standards. Choose your own beauty standard, create your own world!

I leave you with this thought, and one of my favorite quotes:

The Comrade General