Beauty Contest: Miss Plastic Hungary 2009

…and I thought LA was obsessed with beauty. A new trend has developed in Hungary in an effort to “demonstrate how Hungarian cosmetic techniques have advanced in the past decade,” according to the Plastic Surgery Channel. Pageant officials say that they want to show off their new “affordable” method of improving self-image.

 Now, Hungarian women are peeling away their painful bandages and getting ready to showcase their synthesized beauty to the world. Per this new contest’s rules, each pageant member must have had undergone general or local anesthesia and at least one cosmetic procedure. All contestants are between the ages of 18-30.

Wow. Forget that plastic surgery is an extremely dangerous procedure–what’s more disturbing is that Hungary is flat out saying that if you don’t look like the cookie cutter image of the perfect woman, here’s your chance to make it happen. The cosmetic surgery industry is actually trying to make a huge profit by hosting a beauty contest to show girls: this is what you can look like. Of course the glamor and glitz of a beauty contest will convince European women to fly to Hungary and ask to look like the “perfect” beauty contestants. What women won’t see is the months of grueling pain that comes post-surgery. Not to mention the cosmetic surgery mishaps that can potentially occur during surgery. There’s just so much wrong with plastic surgery that creating a glamorized plastic beauty contest seems like a joke.

But it’s not–cosmetic surgery is, in fact, cheaper in Hungary than other places. For instance, a face and neck lift that might usually cost around $8,000 would cost roughly $3,000 in Hungary. 

Upon researching, I found that Hungary is not the first to idolize fake-ness. China has already crowned a Miss Artificial Beauty a few years ago. Proponents of the new trend say it’s a just a woman’s strong pursuit of beauty.

I’m all for improving self image because let’s face it, looks are a huge factor in your confidence. BUT, going through as drastic measures as surgery will only increase the standard of unattainable beauty. What would this world be like if everyone “fixed” their imperfections? Would women really be satisfied? If I were known as “Miss Artificial Beauty” I would feel like I’m trying to be someone I’m not. Also, think about this: If you win the Miss Plastic Surgery crown and you had to stand next to and face the winner of a natural beauty contest, would you still feel confident?

I know that no matter how much you change yourself, unless you are mentally content with yourself, you’re never going to like the way you look. I think, improvement of self-image starts in your head.

At least Hungary is honest and admitting that their beauty contest is just a simple way to obtain more recognition and pour more money towards their cosmetic surgery industry–nothing more. China’s claim for a “strong pursuit of beauty” is laughable.

Photo source: MSNBC.com,  BBC News