Autumn Whitefield-Madrano

The Beheld

Body Image Tips From Plato

By Autumn Whitefield-MadranoFebruary 28, 2012

With the Theory of Forms, every particular instance of an apple is understood as an approximate expression of its Ideal Form, inherently flawed. And when we're talking about body image and how we see ourselves, that’s where the problems start.

The Beheld

Beside the Point: Appearance Anxiety in Eating Disorders

By Autumn Whitefield-MadranoFebruary 27, 2012

If we keep the focus of eating disorder conversations on women's bodies, we're doing exactly what women with eating disorders do to themselves.

The Beheld

Beauty Blogosphere: 2.24.12

By Autumn Whitefield-MadranoFebruary 24, 2012

Beauty news of the week: the sale of the Mary Kay mansion, Downton Abbey perfume, Shaq giving a pedicure, and more.

The Beheld

Thoughts on a Word: Nappy

By Autumn Whitefield-MadranoFebruary 22, 2012

Not everyone can say "nappy" and come away unscathed. Say it to, or even just near, the wrong person and it might just blow up in your face.

The Beheld

Best in Show

By Autumn Whitefield-MadranoFebruary 21, 2012

I don’t particularly like dogs, at least not as a species. Some of them are perfectly lovely creatures I’m happy to share space with on…

The Beheld

Beauty Blogosphere 2.17.12

By Autumn Whitefield-MadranoFebruary 17, 2012

What's going on in beauty this week, from head to toe and everything in between. From Head... Headucation: African-American hair salons have a long history…

The Beheld

Interview: Sister Nancy Ruth, Life-Professed Member of the Order of St. Andrew, Hudson Valley, New York

By Autumn Whitefield-MadranoFebruary 15, 2012

Every time Sister Nancy Ruth turned on the television, a nun would be waiting. “Movies, TV shows—just something about nuns whenever I’d turn on the…

The Beheld

Breaking Down Beauty: Physiognomy Revisited

By Autumn Whitefield-MadranoFebruary 14, 2012

Just If you really want the magic decoder ring to the image, scroll to page 61. when you thought you’d read enough from me about…

The Beheld

Beauty Blogosphere 2.10.12

By Autumn Whitefield-MadranoFebruary 10, 2012

What's going on in beauty this week, from head to toe and everything in between. From Head... The extravaganza: Seems that we've always liked to…

The Beheld

Thoughts on a Word: Glamour (Part II)

By Autumn Whitefield-MadranoFebruary 9, 2012

I’ve had my chance to expound on glamour (which, of course, I did from my chaise longue with a Manhattan in hand while my protégé took dictation),…

The Beheld

Thoughts on a Word: Glamour (Part I)

By Autumn Whitefield-MadranoFebruary 8, 2012

Glamour is an illusion, and an allusion too. Glamour is a performance, a creation, a recipe, but one with give. Glamour is elegance minus restraint,…

The Beheld

On Modeling as Modern-Day Physiognomy

By Autumn Whitefield-MadranoFebruary 6, 2012

Just as the face-reading art of physiognomy was a reflection of social and scientific standards instead of an actual science of character, today's “It” girl is as much a reflection of tastemakers’ collective sense as she is an owner of her own talent.

The Beheld

Greetings From the Internet

By Autumn Whitefield-MadranoFebruary 6, 2012

I just wanted to introduce myself to new-to-me readers here at The New Inquiry. Faithful readers of TNI may know me from the recent comparative…

Essays & Reviews

Accounting for Beauty

By Autumn Whitefield-MadranoJanuary 17, 2012

Erotic capital doesn’t set us free. It yokes women’s careers to the whims of men

Essays & Reviews

The Mirror-Slave Dialectic

By Autumn Whitefield-MadranoJune 10, 2011

When I traced my face shape onto my mirror with lipstick, I was bowing to the needs of my inner slave. I was reaching toward the looking-glass and willing the world contained therein to reveal a great insight. Tell me my face shape so I may never again have an unflattering haircut, ye mirror!