25 Comments

I want to encourage you; your writing makes up for any loss of the prettiness of youthfulness. Being 73, and having mothered 3 children, one of whom died in a car crash with me as the driver, when she was around 9 and a half ... I also gave up on worrying about my looks a long time ago. There are many things more important and gratitude for the glass half-full is a good technique.

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Thank you, Lasita. Sending you so much love <3

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Sending you lots of love <3

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I love reading your work. You make me think and consider my choices. Thank you!

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Thank you so much!

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Dec 7, 2023Liked by Jessica DeFino

'Feel like yourself again' equaling 'look like your old self' was a revelation.

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Once you see it, you'll see it everywhere!!!

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This feels like a safe space to say that I feel sad in a number of ways about the work Emily Blunt is doing to her face

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What do you mean? She looks great on my cursory google

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Yeah, that's the thing about cosmetic work... it's meant to look "great" lol. We can (and should) critique the process — the cultural influence that precedes the work, the cultural impact that follows the work — regardless of whether the result is attractive or not.

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I think she's having work done and it bums me out is all. Both bc of the pressure she must feel and bc it speaks a lot to how women are perceived

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Dec 7, 2023Liked by Jessica DeFino

This article is sooo good.

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Thank you!!

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I LOL'd at the baseballs!!! You did such a wonderful job answering that person's question. And I love the name of the column. Maybe I'll send in my ponytail lift question...

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Lol thank youuuu! Please send it in!! :)

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Looooooved the column! So excited to read more.

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Thank you!

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Dec 8, 2023Liked by Jessica DeFino

I thought your response to the letter writer was very kind. You heard her feelings and didn’t put her down for them, while making her aware of the societal influences making her feel that way.

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I appreciate that <3

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Dec 7, 2023Liked by Jessica DeFino

this article is... beautiful!

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Thank you <3

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Dec 7, 2023Liked by Jessica DeFino

Such a good column!!!

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Thanks!!

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Incredible answer for Used To Be Pretty... you should write a book! Oh, hang on... when can we buy it, and can it be soon please?

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Wow. What an incredibly well written article. I related so much to the reader, and to you. It brings me so much shame to admit that I care so deeply as it feels so vain. I think I need to print it out and re-read it every day. I’m also in admiration at how far you’ve been able to come in changing your beliefs. I want so badly to be able to feel good about my current body, and I want to challenge the standards, but then I don’t because deep down I still care. :(

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