An eye-opening nonfiction read written in an engaging way about how beauty is constructed and intersects with race and ethnicity. It shows making women feel insecure and perpetuating beauty myths (which the author picks apart and explains certain idealized beauty traits are evolved) benefits capitalism, politics and the patriarchy. A provoke and engaging read that every woman should read.

I wish I had read this book when I was younger. As someone who struggles with body positivity and enjoys making personal tweaks, this book reshaped my thinking. It addresses unconscious bias and white supremacy in the beauty industry—issues that are all too common—and encouraged me to reflect deeply on these pervasive topics.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

A topical and relevant non-fiction about our relationship with beauty in this complicated world, and how our views on what beauty is warped by politics, films and tv, advertising and social media. It is well researched. The chapters are thematically laid out and in each chapters she explored different body parts/aspects of beauty e.g. the desire for the perfect nose, lips, body hair, fear of aging, and how we’re even conned by the wellness industry. An eye-opening read. Highly recommended.

A brilliantly researched book about the beauty industry and #prettyprivilege affects every aspects of life. The author looks at beauty through the intersectional lens of feminism and how experiences of WOC and disabled women are not included or catered by the beauty industry. A really fascinating read.

Anita Bhagwandas' "Ugly" delves into vital topics with depth and insight, and I'm grateful for the work, research, and self-reflection evident in this book.

From pop culture's influence to the impact of racism, ageism, and classism, Anita provides ample historical and cultural references alongside personal anecdotes, enriching each point.

However, I personally stopped reading around 60%. This was purely due to the fact that I wasn't gaining any additional perspectives that I hadn't already encountered and worked through elsewhere, having read and researched extensively on this topic myself. If I had picked this up at a different stage in life, I'm certain I would have devoured the whole thing!

For those yet to explore the complexities of beauty standards in our society in depth, I highly recommend this book. I can especially imagine it having been more powerful for me during my transitional years from my teens to my twenties, providing the perfect accompaniment to doing the work around these topics. Alongside other non-fiction works in this sphere, ‘Ugly’ contributes to the vitally important and transformative process of societal change.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK for the e-arc. All opinions are my own.

"Ugly" by Anita Bhagwandas is a very thorough look at how beauty standards are created how how they have come to shape our consumer landscape.

As someone who doesn't pay a lot of attention to this corner of industry it was fascinating to me how deep and completely the idea of "beauty" runs. It reminds me of the "blue sweater" scene in 'The Devil Wears Prada'.

At times I'm unsure as to how seriously to take Bhagwanda. The author finds racism and agism where I didn't think there was any, but I'm glad that I now know where to look. Sometimes the writing flows a little strangely or an aside is made that I wasn't expecting but there's clearly a lot that the author wants to say.

I hope that by writing everything down the author has had a cathartic experience and has processed a lot of the hurt that was clearly done to her. I'm hopeful that many people who are affected by thinking they are "not good enough" reads this and realises that they are perfectly fine as they are.

Ugly by Anita Bhagwandas explores our relationship with beauty standards and the impact it has on us.

Everyone should read this book. It’s heart warming, wholesome and healing. Thank you for writing this book

A very welcome and very interesting book which explores how beauty ideals are used to distract and undermine women, and always have been.

"Ugly: Giving Us Back Our Beauty Standards" presents a compelling exploration of societal beauty norms and their impact on individuals. The book is meticulously researched, offering eye-opening insights into how beauty standards have been ingrained in our collective consciousness. I found myself in agreement with much of the information shared, recognizing the value of this knowledge for both the beauty industry and the younger generation.

However, I did find certain criticisms, particularly regarding the analysis of beloved childhood movies like "The Little Mermaid" and "Frozen," a bit excessive. While acknowledging the need for evolving perspectives, I believe there are numerous diverse and empowering films for children today. It's important to appreciate the value of nostalgia while embracing positive change.

The author's personal story about grappling with societal beauty standards added depth to the narrative, although I couldn't shake the belief that self-confidence is often rooted in early upbringing and life experiences. In my own journey, I've learned that letting go and self-acceptance are vital topics that deserve more attention than societal perceptions.

In conclusion, "Ugly" left me with mixed feelings. While I appreciated its insights, I also found areas of contention. Nevertheless, it serves as a thought-provoking reflection on the complexities of beauty standards, especially in the age of pervasive social media. This book encourages critical discussions that are essential for the well-being of young minds navigating today's beauty-centric world.
Thank you NetGalley for this read, here is my honest feedback.