ContraPoints: Natalie Wynn

Show: ContraPoints (YouTube)

Episode: "Beauty"
Release Year: 2019

Natalie Wynn, the force behind ContraPoints, has long been recognized for her captivating and thought-provoking video essays that tackle complex social, political, and cultural issues. On May 22, 2019, Wynn released the episode "Beauty", a multifaceted exploration of beauty standards, self-image, gender, and societal expectations. Known for her sharp wit, nuanced arguments, and distinctive aesthetic, Wynn uses this episode to unpack the politics of beauty, addressing how it affects individuals - especially women, trans people, and marginalized groups - and how societal beauty ideals are intertwined with power, capitalism, and patriarchy.

 

Natalie Wynn is an American YouTuber, political commentator, and cultural critic, best known for her channel ContraPoints. She creates video essays on topics like politics, gender, race, and philosophy, often challenging right-wing extremists and classical liberals. Wynn addresses social issues such as class inequality, LGBTQ rights, cancel culture, and internet culture. Her videos are known for creative set designs, costumes, and characters. She won a 2020 Streamy Award for Commentary and was nominated again in 2021. In 2022, she received a Peabody Award honor. To introduce her channel, I’m presenting one of her videos titled "Beauty." I highly recommend her entire channel to all viewers, not just transgender individuals, as her ideas are intellectually stimulating and captivating.

 

The "Beauty" episode begins with Wynn's signature blend of humor and intellectual rigor, as she reflects on the beauty industry's pervasive influence. In her characteristic satirical style, Wynn critiques the ways in which beauty standards are marketed and sold to us, largely by capitalist industries seeking profit. Beauty, in this sense, is not an innate or individual experience but a socially constructed ideal - an illusion shaped by societal forces. Wynn challenges her audience to question this illusion and to think critically about the systems that profit from and perpetuate unrealistic beauty ideals. 

 

One of the core arguments Wynn makes is that beauty standards are inextricably linked to power dynamics, particularly those related to patriarchy and capitalism. She suggests that beauty has become a form of currency in the world of social capital, and that people - especially women - are expected to perform their beauty as a means of gaining value, approval, and opportunities in society. Wynn’s critique extends beyond superficial beauty and explores how these standards are deeply entrenched in gendered and racial power structures. For instance, she reflects on the way that the beauty ideal often privileges traits that are more accessible to white, cisgender, able-bodied women, while marginalizing people who do not conform to these ideals, including people of color, fat people, trans people, and those with disabilities.

 

In "Beauty", Wynn engages with the tension between societal expectations and personal desires, particularly when it comes to self-image. One of the most poignant moments of the video comes when Wynn admits that, despite her intellectual critiques of beauty standards, she is not immune to the desire for beauty and external validation. She confesses, “When I think about my appearance, wanting to attract people to have sex with is not the main thing going through my head. What is going through my head? I guess I just want to feel beautiful.” Wynn reveals the emotional complexity that underpins her relationship with beauty. Despite being aware of the ways in which beauty standards are oppressive and constructed, she acknowledges that the desire to look attractive is still deeply ingrained in her - and many others. The desire to be beautiful is not merely about sexual attraction; it is also tied to a sense of self-worth and personal fulfillment.

 

Beauty, for Wynn, is a way to feel validated, admired, and confident. However, this desire is fraught with contradictions. Beauty is a social construct, yet it continues to play a significant role in how Wynn and others navigate the world, both personally and socially. At one point, she explains the fleeting nature of feeling beautiful, pointing out how, despite moments of personal satisfaction with her appearance, these moments often pass quickly. “I am Botticelli, I am Van Gogh. I have created beauty! I'm a girl!” she exclaims, capturing the rare and intense moments of self-assurance. But these moments are often followed by doubt and insecurity, as Wynn humorously acknowledges: “I can estimate, like I have figured out that I'm too pretty for Twitter. But I'm not sure yet if I'm pretty enough for Instagram. It's hard being a six.” Wynn's self-aware humor underscores the absurdity of beauty standards and the constant internal pressure to measure oneself against them. Her commentary reflects the emotional toll of living in a society that constantly reinforces certain ideals of beauty, and the challenge of reconciling these standards with an authentic sense of self.

 

The episode also critically examines the impact of social media platforms on beauty standards. Instagram, in particular, is a focal point for Wynn's critique. In her typical style, she mocks the performative nature of social media and the constant stream of exaggerated praise that people often receive on these platforms. Wynn acknowledges the addictive nature of the validation offered through likes, comments, and followers. “I’m perfectly aware that it’s wild exaggeration fueled by parasocial delusions,” she says, highlighting the absurdity of the hyperbolic compliments she receives online. Yet, she also confesses that these compliments provide a dopamine hit that is difficult to resist. “Every time I get a comment like that, I’m perfectly aware that it’s wild exaggeration,” she admits, “but I still get a hit of dopamine in my biologically female brain.”

 

Wynn also addresses the use of editing tools like Facetune, which allow users to manipulate their images to conform more closely to idealized beauty standards. She notes that when she edits her photos, she smooths out her complexion and adjusts features to conform to the aesthetic norms of conventional beauty. This use of photo manipulation is not unique to her but is widespread on social media, further reinforcing unrealistic beauty standards. Wynn discusses how regular use of such editing tools distorts one’s sense of self and heightens insecurities. Looking at unedited photos, she is immediately drawn to her perceived flaws. “Why are my pores so big?” she asks, exemplifying how the focus on superficial beauty can undermine one’s self-confidence. Her reflection on the dangers of social media-driven beauty culture brings to light the profound psychological and emotional costs of participating in this system. The pressure to constantly perform beauty, both online and offline, can contribute to anxiety, insecurity, and self-doubt. 

 

One of the most personal and impactful aspects of the "Beauty" episode is Wynn’s exploration of her own experiences as a transgender woman navigating the world of beauty. Throughout the video, she delves into how her transition has affected her relationship with beauty standards. Wynn touches on the external pressures she faces as a trans woman trying to “pass” in a world that places significant value on physical appearance. The internal struggle of reconciling her gender identity with her self-image is a central theme, as she grapples with feelings of inadequacy and confusion. Wynn’s reflection on beauty extends beyond the desire to conform to societal ideals. 

 

She also reflects on how she has undergone surgical procedures to modify her appearance in ways that she feels are necessary to align her body with her gender identity. For Wynn, these surgeries are part of her broader journey of self-expression and self-actualization, but they also speak to the complex ways in which beauty is tied to gender performance. Despite undergoing surgery to align her outward appearance with her gender identity, Wynn confesses that she still does not feel truly beautiful. “I still don’t feel beautiful, and I need to face the fact that I’m never going to feel beautiful unless I change the way I think,” she says. This statement underscores the deeper psychological struggles that accompany the pursuit of beauty and self-image, particularly for transgender individuals who may face discrimination and erasure in mainstream beauty culture. 

 

As the video progresses, Wynn critiques how beauty standards are perpetuated by capitalist interests. She critiques the ways in which beauty is commodified by industries that profit from selling products to help people meet these standards. This dynamic ties beauty to capitalist systems that thrive on self-doubt and consumerism. Wynn, however, pushes against the notion that we should simply stop caring about beauty entirely. While beauty standards are oppressive, they are also deeply embedded in our desires and experiences, and rejecting beauty entirely isn’t a viable solution. Instead, she advocates for a nuanced approach to beauty, where individuals can reclaim power by cultivating their own sense of aesthetic style. Wynn also touches on the larger social context of beauty, invoking ideas from leftist thought. While beauty is often presented as a superficial concern, Wynn argues that it is also political. Beauty is a form of social currency, and its distribution is shaped by structures of power. “We know that beauty standards come from the people with privilege in an unequal society,” she notes, underscoring the intersectional nature of beauty and its political dimensions. 

 

Towards the end of the episode, Wynn pivots towards a more hopeful and empowering perspective on beauty. She presents style - rather than beauty - as a more liberating concept. Style, unlike beauty, is an individual expression of personal aesthetics, and it allows for greater control over one’s self-presentation. "Style is an individual aesthetic, unlike the collective aesthetic of beauty standards,” she states. Style, for Wynn, is an act of self-determination that can transcend societal beauty ideals. In her conclusion, Wynn draws on the words of poet William Wordsworth to emphasize the importance of originality and self-expression. “Every author, as far as he is great and at the same time original, has had the task of creating the taste by which he is to be enjoyed,” she quotes, suggesting that through personal style, individuals can create their own sense of beauty and aesthetic worth. Wynn challenges the dominant beauty standards by promoting self-expression, individuality, and confidence in one’s unique identity. 

 

The "Beauty" episode from ContraPoints is a multifaceted, deeply personal, and intellectually rigorous exploration of beauty standards, self-image, and the forces that shape how we view ourselves and others. Through her witty, thought-provoking commentary, Wynn addresses the emotional and psychological costs of conforming to societal ideals, particularly for marginalized groups like women and transgender people. She also critiques the beauty industry and its role in perpetuating unrealistic standards, while advocating for a more personal and liberating approach to beauty - one that embraces style, individuality, and self-expression. Ultimately, Wynn's video offers a profound reflection on the complexities of beauty in modern society, inviting viewers to reconsider the ways in which beauty standards affect their lives and to embrace a more liberated and self-determined approach to their own self-image.

 

via: youtube

and wikipedia

Image credits: YouTube - ContraPoints