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What’s Real Beauty?

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This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

I’m sure that you’ve seen some of the Dove “Real Beauty” ads in print or on TV. I think it will take a lot more than one company using “real women” (who aren’t all 21 and a size 0) in their ads to convince us that there’s more to beauty than looking like a supermodel, but I applaud their efforts.

They have even launched a self-esteem program for tweens and teens to empower young women to team up to support each other instead of always ganging up against one another (My daughter Amanda and I got to attend one of these workshops and it was so interesting to hear these girls from all walks of life share about their struggles with self-esteem and then be challenged to come up with solutions for themselves).

I love that idea of teaming up — girl power — supporting their friends. One of the slogans of the new movie The Women is “Behind every beautiful woman are her best friends.” Dove has gone “Behind the Women” with the writer and director of the movie Diane English. The short documentary film, “The Women Behind the Women” employs a junior journalist, 16-year-old Cammy Nelson (pictured here with Diane English) to look at what went into making this movie, and how the themes designed to empower women and to underscore the importance of friendships in their lives were realized not only in the film, but while making it as well.

It’s a proven fact that a majority of teen girls believe that models and actresses are just naturally beautiful. The commentary from the editor that it’s the confidence and expression that comes across in an actress’s face that makes her beautiful, or the time that Cammy spent with the make-up artists who shared their mantra “It takes all day to become a natural beauty,” along with the insecurities from their teen years that the actresses share will make you think, and hopefully make you appreciate the way you were created.

If you are interested in film production, any of these actresses, women’s relationships or a teen’s view on the media, I recommend that you watch this mini-documentary and then share it with a teenager in your life as well.

You can win a prize pack worth $350 from Dove:

  • A year’s supply of Dove products
  • Two ticket vouchers to see “The Women” movie
  • A movie poster signed by the director Diane English and some of the cast

Winners must be 18 and over and reside in the U.S. Leave a comment on this post, and we’ll announce the winner on October 18.

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572 Comments

  3. DOVE…just the name says “peace” and “purity”-who wouldn’t want a pure and peaceful looking face in this hectic world!

    Reply

  5. Thank goodness for the Real Beauty campaign. Now…will America, and more importantly, Hollywood, listen? Thanks so much.

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  9. I just stepped out of the shower and yep I used Dove body wash, great products. Thanks for the opportunity for this contest

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  11. This is a great giveaway as I really love Dove products and love going to the movies. I really hope I win. Thanks.

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  16. WOW! Picture my eyes bugging out and my mouth in the shape of a big O!!! Dove has had a wonderful campaign this year! Thank you for such a useful giveaway.

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  20. I really enjoyed the documentary. I have two daughters-a 15-year-old and a 12-year-old. Girls are constantly bombarded with images of ultra-thin, beautiful models. In raising mine, I’ve tried to instill in them values that stress the importance of healthy living and being happy with yourself.

    Reply

  21. I LOVE Dove! I use the Cucumber and Green Tea bars, and would Love to try other Dove products! Thank you for the Giveaway!

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  26. I think Dove makes fantastic products and the prices are very, very reasonable. I love Dove Foaming Face Wash, I swear by it, and why spend lots of $$$ when you can get a product that works for a fraction of the cost. I also love Dove Clinical Deodorant! It is my latest fabulous find! No more sweat for me. I would love to win this prize because I truly believe in the Dove products.

    Reply

  28. My aunt has called me her Baby Dove since I was 4 or 5. So I have sort of an affinity toward Dove. I think this is a wonderful giveaway.

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  30. The Dove advertisements make me feel more comfortable with my size 11 shape. I wish all models in magazines were like the Dove models!

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  39. I’d love to win this! I love Dove products and even more appreciate their campaign to let everyone realize they’re beautiful!

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  61. Dove has certainly improved over the years since my mom introduced it to me. I really like their campaign to raise women’s self esteem.

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  62. I just recently tried Dove shampoo and it made my hair so soft! I’d love to win this and be able to try so many Dove products.

    Reply

  63. Love Dove, not just their products but also their campaign. I love to see other women comfortable with themselves on t.v.

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  64. I love the Dove ad campaigns…we used Dove prior to them, but they make me proud that I am choosing a product that makes people appreciate the skin they are in.

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  76. I buy a lot of Dove products because of the ads. I LOVE that they use real women of all shapes and sizes. I also love that they are trying to get the young girls to love themselves just the way they are.

    Thanks for the contest.

    Reply

  83. I love this campaign from day one. i think it’s great for Dove to promote women being comfortable with the body they’ve been given. And we all should love ourselves even if we are “common” women

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  93. I love Dove products! I just bought the cream body wash a few weeks ago and it is superb! It’s so thick and creamy and lathers wonderfully. Thanks for the chance to win! 🙂

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  94. Real Beauty is recognizing the beauty in ourselves and in others around us.

    I appreciate the quality of Dove’s soap, which really does make my skin feel soft and smooth, and I appreciate that Dove encourages people to look BENEATH that soft skin to discover what is really important in life. Dove’s ad campaign reminds us that we all come in different shapes and sizes. Those of us who are naturally thin are scrutinized and judged just as much as our sisters with naturally fuller figures. We need to look past sizing, coloring, and other externalities, and love each others’ hearts, minds, and souls, as God loves us.

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  96. My daughter only uses Dove, and I have been dying to see “The Women”. This would be a super win and meeting some of the cast would be the icing on the cake!

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  98. I talk very openly about this with my daughter. She is pretty popular with her peers. Recently I was very proud of her, we were out shopping and stopped at Savers (a local 2nd hand store) where she really loaded up…and it was NOT on name brand clothing. I asked her about it and her response was “people have to like me because of me, not the clothes I wear or I don’t care to be friends with them”. I felt a proudness of parenting at that moment.
    I think the ‘real women’ campaign Dove is doing is such an inspiration and I look forward to other companies following in their footsteps. We need to get this issue under control for our children and not just our daughters, sisters, and friends but our sons as well.
    Thank you for the chance to win this lovely prize package. I love the softness Dove leaves my skin.

    Good Luck to everyone entering.

    Reply

  101. Have used Dove products for a long time, and am very proud of their campaign to help with young girls and their self esteem!

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  112. Thank you again for another contest and a chance to win a great prize. Also without you and the hard work the contest would not be possible so a hats off to all your hard work.
    Thank you.

    [email protected]

    Reply

  116. I am glad to see uplifting companies. We need more people to give the confidence and assurance that they can become anything they want

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  138. I agree with you that Dove is really making an effort toward helping our teens realize that true beauty lies within themselves. My daughter and I watched the mini documentary together. I love Dove as it really is trying to make a difference one step at a time.

    Reply

  147. As an environmental specialist, I have the wonderful opportunity to see so many natural wonders across the United States, but I’ll admit, it really abuses my hands hitting so many different climates! Dove is great because it’s not smelling (great for those wilder terrains!) and doesn’t make me itchy! I have some with me always! Great contest!

    Reply

  150. This is such a great prize. I love Dove products. They don’t break me out like some other products do. They smell good, too.

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  156. I love the products from Dove. But I especially love the message behind their products! I think it is just awesome that there is a company out there making REAL women see what REAL beauty is all about! And yes my friend, we as women, are ALL BEAUTIFUL!!

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  158. Real beauty is the confidence that lies within a powerful, loving, responsible, woman who will share those traits with her daughters.
    I LOVE DOVE!

    Reply

  159. I’d love to win the Dove products. Not having to buy that stuff for a year would really help out in these hard times!

    Reply

  173. Beauty is knowing that you are loved who you are and now what you look like..but hey great looking skin helps also 🙂

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  180. I love Dove products – especially the shower soap, and their newer facial moisturizers. Thanks for the chance to win this giveaway! I’m looking forward to seeing The Women.

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  190. Dove is not only a great product but a great company that supports real women an helping girls accept themselves for who they are.
    Thanks for the giveaway.

    Reply

  193. We’ve used Dove ever since the doctor recommended it for our daughter’s sensitive skin. I’m also interested in seeing the movie and watching how the themes of empowering women and strengthening friendships interplay.

    Reply

  198. My children and I use Dove products because we have sensitive skin. This would be a wonderful treat for us. Thanks for the great giveaway.

    Reply

  219. Real beauty is always a matter of personal taste (and care), so that one person will like brunettes instead of blonds, or one skin tone or body form instead of another, so you can’t always win! However the beauty products that help keep our skin moisturized and young looking, which is how Dove helps us, shows that EVERY woman is beautiful (and so are her friends)!

    Reply

  222. Dove beauty products are great. And work so well with my super sensitive skin.
    Thank you so much for offering this wonderful giveaway.
    I would LOVE to win !!

    Reply

  262. I love Dove’s campaign plus I hardly ever get to go to the movies anymore. This would be a great prize to win!

    Reply

  263. This is a wonderful chance to win some great things, Dove is the absolute best and I’ve never had a bad Dove product. Thank you so much for this awesome chance!!!

    Reply

  273. i’ve seen some of the commercials for this dove promotion – i think it’s fabulous that such a large company is doing something to raise young women’s self esteem! Dove my hat is off to you! ps you make fabulous products!

    Reply

  278. I’m looking forward to seeing this movie with my daughter and granddaughters. Self-esteem is so important and sometimes so hard to come by.

    Reply

  285. This is such a great contest, I love Dove products and have been loyal to them since I was a kid
    I would love to win
    Thanks for the contest !

    Reply

  287. I heard this is a great movie so I would enjoy winning tickets for it. The real exciting part of this contest though is the Dove products. I would die for this!

    Reply

  295. I love Dove products and think it’s wonderful that they use their products to support healthy body images for women and girls.

    Reply

  304. I like that Dove products are priced well. Thanks for the great prize and chance to win! Good luck everyone, Jeff

    Reply

  306. I love Dove product so much. I’ve used them for years. I think their add campaign is genius. I love how they use real women. It’s such a needed message to send to our young girls. I wish there were more adds that used real beauties.

    Reply

  313. This movie reminds me of my friends, always ready to help another when the chips are down, and celebrate each others victories in the good times

    Reply

  315. I love Dove products and what Dove itself represents to all woman of all ages. The Beauty Campaign is absolutely wonderful! Thanks for the opportunity!

    Reply

  331. I enjoyed the movie with my friends and would love to see it again. I’m also a Dove fan, so thanks for the chance to win.

    Reply

  334. Great prize, and great message. As a mom to a 4 yr old little girl this is something that crosses my mind quite often. I make sure to tell her every day how beautiful she is and just how smart she is too! I make sure to explain to her, even if she doesn’t quite understand yet, that sometimes it is what is inside of someone that makes them beautiful.

    Ang

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  361. I love Dove, both their products (so much moisture!) and their responsible advertising and embrace of a wider definition of beauty.

    Reply

  366. The dove campaign is awesome! It is so important to realize that what the media is showing is not always real! If you think this campaign is something worth fighting for then you should check out a campaign that I am working on to get the fashion industry to produce age appropriate clothing and not thongs for little girls! Go to secretkeepergirl.com and sign the petition!

    Reply

  367. Admittedly, I’ve never been much of a “chic flick” watcher, but I adored the previews for this movie. I can definitely relate to several of its themes.

    Reply

  373. As a mom to three daughters, I love these products, ideas and campaigns. They are much needed and greatly appreciated! Thank you for the chance to win~

    Reply

  392. I love Dove’s new beauty campaign. It just solidifies our lifelong adherence to them as our soap of choice. 🙂
    Thanks,
    Megret

    Reply

  395. Dove products are the best. I am also a big fan of their advertising campaign. More companies should take such responsiblity to show that there are many faces of beautiful.

    Reply

  402. I love the new campaign Dove has. What an important message. I try to teach my 2 young girls that movie star & pop star beauty is not “real” beauty. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  403. i agree with the women’s slogan “behind every woman is her best friend.” I don’t have know what i would do with out my girl friends. they’ve kept me from going insane in this world!

    Reply

  410. I can’t wait to see this movie and I LOVE Dove products… and a movie poster with some of the cast autographs, How awesome is that!

    Reply

  446. Real beauty is that glow that comes from within. Please add me to the chance to win this great gift. Thank you.

    Reply

  470. I LOVE the new Dove campaign, I wish it had been around when I was akid! But I believe that true beauty shines through in your attitude, and how you treat others and yourself. Thank God for this campaign from Dove, so whe don’t, hopefully. have more generations of girls who hate themselves because of the public’s superficial notions of beauty.

    Reply

  474. I was glad to find the information on the Dove website about how to host your own self-esteem workshops for girls.
    Thanks for the contest.

    Reply

  477. I think your web site title “5 Minutes for Mom” is fantastic!! What mom in this world is always grabbing 5 minutes here and there just to do something for herself?! Thank you for the contest!

    Reply

  480. Dove’s committment to women of all shapes, sizes and looks – especially their work in building the self esteem of all girls – has made me very proud to be a life-long Dove user. Thanks for hosting this giveaway.

    Reply

  481. I was laid off work the first week in June and have not been able to find a job since. I am so broke I can’t afford a bar of soap. I STINK PLEASE HELP

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  495. As grandma to 4 lovely grandaughters I never miss the chance to inform that they are just perfect the way they are. Know they think that is just a proud grandmother talking but when my two daughters were growing up I never stopped telling them that they were fine people and could do and be anything they wanted. Even though they grew up in less comfortable circumstances than my granduaghters (their father left when they were quite young and I raised them as a single parent and times were sometimes hard) they are both college graduates, one an executive VP in a large firm and the other an MD specializing in women’s medicine. This is the message we have to get across to our young women. Be proud of what you are and don’t think you have to be a rich celebrity or a size 1 to be a beautiful and accomplished person.

    Reply

  502. Please enter me. I would love to win this prize. I am really looking forward to seeing this movie with my daughter.

    Reply

  510. I am a firm believer that beauty starts on the inside. If you are beautiful inside, it will show on the outside.

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  513. I love the Dove campaign. It’s about time a company decided people need to be proud of themselves and not idolize some underweight model.

    Reply

  519. Don’t see that my previous post went through, so hope this doesn’t disqualify me. But Dove products have been favorites of mine for years.

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  522. What I love most about dove is your skin feels so soft after use and the fragrance is mild, clean smelling and not overpowering 🙂

    Reply

  546. I have respected their campaign since it began. I think that it is a wonderful initiative. My daughter, now age 12, and I had our first “real” conversation about how she really felt after watching the Superbowl commercial in 2006… I didn’t realize that she felt as poorly about herself as she did. 🙁
    I struggle with my own issues regarding my self esteem as well, so the Dove campaign has been a benefit to both of us.

    Reply

  549. We have lost track of what real beauty is! In song of song we read that his beloved was tease because she was tan (meaning that she had to worked outdoor and therefore her skin wasn’t has pale as the non working girl and fair skin was a sign of beauty then) But now the more tan the better you look? more makeup the better looking you are? Thin is beauty?

    “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised”

    Thanks for this post!

    Reply

  550. I love Dove and they have really started a wonderful conversation around the country about the idea of size and beauty! Keep up the wonderful work Dove!!! I would love to win, Thanks!

    Reply

  551. I currently am the co-chair of a campus committee to address body image. We’ve talked about the Dove campaign and I’ve used some of their materials in conversation! I’d love to win!

    Reply

  553. The movie is great! If I won the tickets, I’d give them to some great women I know, but I’d keep the Dove products and the poster. I’m headed off to the Dove site right now.

    Reply

  554. I really like the ad where they show the girl “morphing” by adding makeup and also by tweaking the photo afterwards. It doesn’t even look like the same person! So hooray for real!
    And this movie looks good, I’d love to see it!

    Reply

  561. I have admired this campaign from day one. i think it’s great for Dove to promote women being comfortable with the body they’ve been given.

    Unfortunately, I think they have a long way to go before banishing the I-want-to-be-model-thin mentality.

    Good for them for continuing the fight!

    Reply

  562. I appreciate Dove and their promotion of real live people in their ads and campaigns. I say it’s about time! 🙂

    Thanks for the chance to win a great prize package!

    Reply