Aesthetic Labor, Beauty Ideals, Racial Inequalities

Aesthetic Labor, Latinx Beauty Ideals, & Racial Inequalities: An Initial Examination of the Literature

Presenter: Kyla Walters-Doughty

Co-Presenter(s):
Sandra Bahena Ortiz, Tegan Dalle Nogare, Montana Gurecki, Darryl Maney

Presenter Status: Faculty

Academic Year: 20-21

Semester: Spring

Department: Sociology

Funding Source/Sponsor: Koret Scholars Program

President's Strategic Plan Goal: Diversity and Social Justice

Screenshot URL: https://drive.google.com/uc?id=12bk0opj9eJbkQ0Db1sgDIYMErQYUiiUm

Abstract:
Retail employers in heavily branded "lifestyle" sectors increasingly assess workers' value based on appearance. Aesthetic labor refers to workers embodying the brand, through their style of dress, hair, makeup, and even speech. We explore what is known about Latinx experiences related to aesthetic labor. This analytic literature review is the first step of a larger research project that examines Latinx worker experiences in beauty-based retail.