Beauty Unlocked the podcast

Carissa Vikis
  • 5.0 (13)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

Buckle up and get ready as I delve into a variety of topics regarding physical beauty. We'll take a look at our society's obsession with physical beauty and the consequences these impossible beauty standards have had on us. Let's face it; this fascination regarding physical beauty and body image isn't a recent phenomenon; it has been around for centuries, crossing borders, and has affected men and women alike. The realization of this podcast has come about by my own experiences having to deal with society's perverse notion of physical "perfection" and researching an array of topics that have intrigued me over the years.

  1. 4d ago

    Beauty Unlocked Update!

    Sometimes the hardest decision as a creator is deciding not to release something you're not proud of. Just a quick update to let you know what's happening with Episode 126 and Beauty Unlocked's upcoming summer break. Thank you for your patience, support, and understanding. I'll be back at the end of August when the show returns with new episodes and plenty more uncomfortable questions for us to explore together. Stay safe out there, my love buckets. Take care of yourselves and each other, and remember to stay curious, always. 🩷🖤🩷🖤🩷

    1 min

  2. Jun 3

    EP - 125 - We Became the Tabloids!

    Why were Laetitia Casta and Aishwarya Rai criticized for their appearance at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival? What starts as celebrity gossip quickly becomes a much bigger conversation about beauty standards, aging, body image, and social media. Because the more I looked at the comments coming out of Cannes, the more one question kept nagging at me: Did the tabloids disappear—or did we become them? Are. You. Ready? **************** Sources & References: Andrejevic, Mark. iSpy: Surveillance and Power in the Interactive Era. University Press of Kansas, 2007. Andrejevic, Mark. Reality TV: The Work of Being Watched. Rowman & Littlefield, 2004. Berger, John. Ways of Seeing. Penguin Books, 1972. Bordo, Susan. Unbearable Weight: Feminism, Western Culture, and the Body. University of California Press, 1993. Dyer, Richard. Stars. British Film Institute, 1979. Festinger, Leon. “A Theory of Social Comparison Processes.” Human Relations, vol. 7, no. 2, 1954, pp. 117–140. Foucault, Michel. Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison. Translated by Alan Sheridan. Vintage Books, 1977. Gamson, Joshua. Claims to Fame: Celebrity in Contemporary America. University of California Press, 1994. Marwick, Alice E. Status Update: Celebrity, Publicity, and Branding in the Social Media Age. Yale University Press, 2013. Mulvey, Laura. “Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema.” Screen, vol. 16, no. 3, 1975, pp. 6–18. Senft, Theresa M. Camgirls: Celebrity and Community in the Age of Social Networks. Peter Lang, 2008. Wolf, Naomi. The Beauty Myth: How Images of Beauty Are Used Against Women. William Morrow, 1991. Articles & Reporting: Arieux, Chloe B. “Laetitia Casta : insultes, grossophobie… ce qui s’est passé à Cannes choque.” Public, 29 May 2026. Reporting and commentary covering public reactions to Laetitia Casta and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan during the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, including discussions of ageism, body shaming, beauty standards, and social media scrutiny. **************** Leave Us a 5* Rating, it helps the show! Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beauty-unlocked-the-podcast/id1522636282 Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/37MLxC8eRob1D0ZcgcCorA **************** Follow Us on TikTok & Subscribe to our YouTube Channel! YouTube: @beautyunlockedspodcasthour TikTok: tiktok.com/@beautyunlockedthepod **************** Intro/Outro Music: “Fame Inc” by Savvier — https://icons8.com/music

    27 min

  3. May 27

    EP - 124 - "Your Body Hair is Gross!"

    In this episode, I’m unpacking the history of female body hair removal, the rise of shaving and Brazilian wax culture, and why women are taught to see natural body hair as “gross.” From Ancient Egypt and razor advertising to pornography, patriarchy, and Eurocentric beauty standards, we’re digging into how female hairlessness became tied to femininity, desirability, cleanliness, and control. Why is body hair considered masculine on men but unacceptable on women? And why does modern beauty culture reward women for removing visible signs of adulthood from their bodies? Are. You. Ready? **************** Sources & References: Attwood, Feona. Mainstreaming Sex: The Sexualization of Western Culture. I.B. Tauris, 2009. Foucault, Michel. Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison. Vintage Books, 1995. Gill, Rosalind. Gender and the Media. Polity Press, 2007. Herzig, Rebecca. Plucked: A History of Hair Removal. NYU Press, 2015. Ovid. Ars Amatoria (The Art of Love). Translated by James Michie, Modern Library, 2002. Peiss, Kathy. Hope in a Jar: The Making of America’s Beauty Culture. University of Pennsylvania Press, 2011. Strings, Sabrina. Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia. NYU Press, 2019. Tyldesley, Joyce. Nefertiti’s Face: The Creation of an Icon. Harvard University Press, 2018. Wolf, Naomi. The Beauty Myth: How Images of Beauty Are Used Against Women. Harper Perennial, 2002. Additional historical and cultural analysis referenced throughout the episode includes studies on Ancient Egyptian beauty and grooming rituals, Islamic hygienic traditions and body hair practices, feminist media theory surrounding bodily surveillance, pornography and beauty culture, beauty labor and gendered self-surveillance, racialized beauty standards, Eurocentric femininity, and contemporary discussions surrounding Brazilian wax culture, “clean girl” aesthetics, and social media beauty trends. **************** Leave Us a 5* Rating, it helps the show! Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beauty-unlocked-the-podcast/id1522636282 Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/37MLxC8eRob1D0ZcgcCorA **************** Follow Us on TikTok & Subscribe to our YouTube Channel! YouTube: @beautyunlockedspodcasthour TikTok: tiktok.com/@beautyunlockedthepod **************** Intro/Outro Music: “Fame Inc” by Savvier — https://icons8.com/music

    24 min

  4. May 20

    EP - 123 - Why Are Celebrities Thin Again? The Beauty Politics of Recession

    What's a recession indicator you've noticed? Lately, one answer keeps resurfacing online: "You can see celebrities' ribs again." And as unserious as that sounds at first, history suggests it may not be entirely wrong. In this episode, I dive into Ozempic, recession aesthetics, quiet luxury, heroin chic, and the return of thinness as a cultural ideal. From celebrity weight loss trends to the politics of appetite, I explore how beauty standards shift during periods of economic anxiety, social instability, and cultural fear- and why women's bodies so often become the place where those anxieties are projected. Are. You. Ready? **************** Sources & References: Bordo, Susan. Unbearable Weight: Feminism, Western Culture, and the Body. University of California Press, 1993. Bourdieu, Pierre. Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgement of Taste. Translated by Richard Nice, Harvard University Press, 1984. Debord, Guy. The Society of the Spectacle. Zone Books, 1994. Foucault, Michel. Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison. Vintage Books, 1995. Foxcroft, Louise. Calories & Corsets: A History of Dieting Over 2,000 Years. Profile Books, 2011. Rose, Nikolas. Governing the Soul: The Shaping of the Private Self. Free Association Books, 1999. Stearns, Peter N. Fat History: Bodies and Beauty in the Modern West. New York University Press, 2002. Strings, Sabrina. Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia. NYU Press, 2019. Tolentino, Jia. Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion. Random House, 2019. Veblen, Thorstein. The Theory of the Leisure Class. Oxford University Press, 2007. Wolf, Naomi. The Beauty Myth: How Images of Beauty Are Used Against Women. Harper Perennial, 2002. Additional reporting and cultural analysis referenced throughout the episode includes coverage of Ozempic and Wegovy, celebrity weight loss culture, recession aesthetics, heroin chic and 1990s fashion culture, wellness culture, self-optimization, and digital body surveillance from contemporary journalism, academic commentary, and media analysis. **************** Leave Us a 5* Rating, it helps the show! Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beauty-unlocked-the-podcast/id1522636282 Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/37MLxC8eRob1D0ZcgcCorA **************** Follow Us on TikTok & Subscribe to our YouTube Channel! YouTube: @beautyunlockedspodcasthour TikTok: tiktok.com/@beautyunlockedthepod **************** Intro/Outro Music: “Fame Inc” by Savvier — https://icons8.com/music

    16 min

  5. May 6

    EP - 122 - Glow-Ups Explained: Why Looks Change How You’re Treated

    What if your "glow-up" didn't change who you are, but changed how the world treats you? In this episode, I'm unpacking pretty privilege, the psychology behind it, and why being seen differently can feel more unsettling than empowering. We're talking about perception, bias, and the uncomfortable truth behind why opportunities, attention, and respect suddenly shift. This isn't about glow-ups...it's about what they reveal. Are. You. Ready? **************** Sources & References: Thorndike, E. L. (1920). A Constant Error in Psychological Ratings. Journal of Applied Psychology. Dion, K., Berscheid, E., & Walster, E. (1972). What Is Beautiful Is Good. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Hamermesh, D. S. (2011). Beauty Pays: Why Attractive People Are More Successful. Festinger, L. (1957). A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance. Higgins, E. T. (1987). Self-Discrepancy Theory. Psychological Review. Fredrickson, B. L., & Roberts, T. A. (1997). Objectification Theory. Psychology of Women Quarterly. Ogden, J., & Clementi, C. (2010). The Experience of Being Obese and the Many Consequences of Stigma. Journal of Obesity. **************** Leave Us a 5* Rating, it helps the show! Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beauty-unlocked-the-podcast/id1522636282 Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/37MLxC8eRob1D0ZcgcCorA **************** Follow Us on TikTok & Subscribe to our YouTube Channel! YouTube: @beautyunlockedspodcasthour TikTok: tiktok.com/@beautyunlockedthepod **************** Intro/Outro Music: “Fame Inc” by Savvier — https://icons8.com/music

    15 min

  6. Apr 29

    EP - 121 - Why Are We “Fixing” This Now? Labia Fillers Exposed

    Labia fillers are one of those beauty trends that's quietly gaining traction- and chances are, you didn't even know it was something you were supposed to think about. In this episode, I break down what labia fillers actually are, why more people are getting them, and the beauty standards driving the demand. We're getting into the language, the marketing, and the bigger cultural shift behind this idea of "rejuvenation." If you've ever wondered how far beauty standards can go, this episode might change the way you see them. Are. You. Ready? **************** Sources & References: Braun, V. (2009). Female genital cosmetic surgery: A critical review. Feminism & Psychology, 19(2), 139–159. Gill, R. (2007). Gender and the Media. Polity Press. Illich, I. (1976). Limits to Medicine: Medical Nemesis: The Expropriation of Health. Pantheon Books. Bordo, S. (1993). Unbearable Weight: Feminism, Western Culture, and the Body Liao, L. M., Creighton, S. M., & Crouch, N. S. (2005). Female genital appearance: “Normality” unfolds. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 112(5), 643–646. Tiefer, L. (2008). Female Sexual Dysfunction: A Case Study of Disease Mongering. PLoS Medicine, 5(2), e32. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (2023). Cosmetic Procedure Trends Report. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. (2013). Ethical Considerations in Relation to Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery (FGCS). American Psychological Association. (2007). Report of the APA Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls. Smith, T. P. (2022). The Infantilization of Women and Pedophilic Beauty Standards in Western Culture: A Literature Review. Medium. Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Dermal Fillers: What to Know Before You Get Them. Mayo Clinic. (2023). Dermal Fillers Overview. **************** Leave Us a 5* Rating, it helps the show! Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beauty-unlocked-the-podcast/id1522636282 Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/37MLxC8eRob1D0ZcgcCorA **************** Follow Us on TikTok & Subscribe to our YouTube Channel! YouTube: @beautyunlockedspodcasthour TikTok: tiktok.com/@beautyunlockedthepod **************** Intro/Outro Music: “Fame Inc” by Savvier — https://icons8.com/music

    18 min

  7. Apr 21 ·  Bonus

    Bonus Episode: Viral Skincare Trends That Are Secretly Damaging Your Skin

    Some of the most dangerous beauty trends right now don't look dangerous at all. In this bonus episode, I unpack viral skincare trends like over-exfoliation and DIY lip plumping-and what dermatologists are actually saying about them. What do these quick-fix trends really do to your skin-and why are experts warning against them? If you've ever been tempted to copy a routine from TikTok, this episode might make you think twice. Are. You. Ready? **************** Sources: Dermatology & Skin Barrier Health American Academy of Dermatology — “Exfoliation: How to Safely Exfoliate Your Skin” and guidance on protecting the skin barrier Cleveland Clinic — “Skin Barrier: What It Is, Function, and How to Repair It” British Journal of Dermatology — Research on skin barrier disruption from overuse of exfoliating acids Expert Commentary on Over-Exfoliation Dr. Shereene Idriss — Public commentary and patient education on over-exfoliation and compromised skin barriers The New York Times — “Dermatologists Warn Against Overcomplicated Skin-Care Routines” (coverage of social media skincare trends) DIY Beauty Risks & Lip Irritation Dr. Andrea Suarez — Educational content on DIY skincare risks and lip irritation Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology — Studies on contact dermatitis caused by essential oils and irritants Media Coverage on Viral Beauty Trends Allure — “The Dangers of DIY Beauty Hacks on TikTok” The New York Times — Reporting on TikTok skincare trends and dermatology concerns **************** Leave Us a 5* Rating, it helps the show! Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beauty-unlocked-the-podcast/id1522636282 Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/37MLxC8eRob1D0ZcgcCorA **************** Follow Us on Social Media & Subscribe to our YouTube Channel! TikTok: tiktok.com/@beautyunlockedthepod YouTube: @beautyunlockedspodcasthour **************** INTRO/OUTRO MUSIC: FASION/ '1-800-DIRTY'/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

    10 min

  8. Apr 15

    EP -120- Thinness Is Not Beauty — It’s Obedience

    The obsession with thinness didn't just appear out of nowhere-and it's not just about beauty, body image, or "health." In this episode, I'm unpacking the deeper history of diet culture, female body standards, and the social conditioning that taught women to shrink themselves-physically, emotionally, and culturally. From historical ideals of discipline and restraint to the racial roots of the modern thin ideal, we're digging into how thinness became tied to morality, self-control, and worth. This is a conversation about appetite, power, control, and the quiet rules women have been taught to follow without ever questioning them. So the real question is... when did thinness stop being about beauty-and start being about obedience? Are. You. Ready? **************** Sources & References: Core Books & Foundational Texts Wolf, Naomi. The Beauty Myth (1991) Bordo, Susan. Unbearable Weight: Feminism, Western Culture, and the Body (1993) Foucault, Michel. Discipline and Punish (1975) Strings, Sabrina. Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia (2019) Historical Context: Appetite, Religion & Discipline “Gluttony.” Encyclopaedia Britannica “How the Seven Deadly Sins Began as ‘Eight Evil Thoughts.’” History.com Forcen, Fernando E. “The Practice of Holy Fasting in the Late Middle Ages.” Journal of Religion and Health (2015) Bynum, Caroline Walker. “The Religious Significance of Food to Medieval Women.” Victorian Femininity & Bodily Control Murray, E. Food and Femininity in Victorian Literature (2022) Coar, L. “Sugar and Spice and All Things Nice: The Victorian Woman’s All-Consuming Predicament.” Krondl, M. Fashioning Gendered Appetite in the Victorian Age (2022) “Did Corsets Harm Women’s Health?” New York Academy of Medicine Racism, Fatphobia & the Thin Ideal Strings, Sabrina. Fearing the Black Body (NYU Press) “How Racism Created the Thin Ideal.” UC Irvine School of Social Sciences Review of Fearing the Black Body. UCLA Center for the Study of Women Weight Stigma & Social Bias “The Burden of Weight Stigma.” American Psychological Association (2022) “Weight Stigma.” National Eating Disorders Association Giel et al. “Weight Bias in Work Settings – A Qualitative Review.” National Academies / NCBI — Weight stigma and labor market outcomes Social Media, Wellness Culture & Modern Thinness Munro et al. “Diet Culture on TikTok” (2024) Davis et al. “#WhatIEatInADay on TikTok” (2023) Weber. “TikToxic Effects of ‘That Girl’ Content” (2025) Germic. Digital Wellness Culture & Womanhood (2025) “Why ‘Skinny’ Culture Is Back.” University of Colorado Anschutz (2026) **************** Leave Us a 5* Rating, it helps the show! Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beauty-unlocked-the-podcast/id1522636282 Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/37MLxC8eRob1D0ZcgcCorA **************** Follow Us on TikTok & Subscribe to our YouTube Channel! YouTube: @beautyunlockedspodcasthour TikTok: tiktok.com/@beautyunlockedthepod **************** Intro/Outro Music: “Fame Inc” by Savvier — https://icons8.com/music

    18 min
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About

Buckle up and get ready as I delve into a variety of topics regarding physical beauty. We'll take a look at our society's obsession with physical beauty and the consequences these impossible beauty standards have had on us. Let's face it; this fascination regarding physical beauty and body image isn't a recent phenomenon; it has been around for centuries, crossing borders, and has affected men and women alike. The realization of this podcast has come about by my own experiences having to deal with society's perverse notion of physical "perfection" and researching an array of topics that have intrigued me over the years.

Information

  • Creator
    Carissa Vikis
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    200
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Carissa Vikis
  • Show Website
    Beauty Unlocked the podcast