Abstract:

There is a general silence in research when it comes to the embodied experiences of older women. Older women are especially excluded from studies on beauty and embodiment because their age is perceived as a factor that makes their experience irrelevant. Older women also seldom occupy the position of the agentic subjects. This study explores older women’s beauty practices in retirement homes where they might experience limitations in space, changed everyday routines, different social surroundings, and an increase or decrease in independence. We employ qualitative methods to explore the personal experiences and perceptions of older women to reveal the (in)significance of beauty practices and the time and effort invested in them. The main questions we ask are, ‘how prevalent are beauty practices in Flemish retirement homes’ and ‘what are the perceptions of older women on beauty practices, and the significance of beauty regimes in women’s daily lives in retirement homes?’

Access the article here.

Published by Ladan Rahbari