Natural Beauty (2023) -Ling Ling

"Natural Beauty is a commentary on the beauty industry and Eurocentric beauty standards that utilize body horror and aspects of speculative fiction told through the lens of a daughter of Chinese immigrants after she is presented with a new opportunity to pursue the American dream that her parents wished for her. This unnamed protagonist begins working for an exclusive beauty company known for their experimental beauty treatments, dismissing the dark theories circulating the company’s creator and its practices. The protagonist readily accepts the job and extensive beauty regimen that comes with it. Slowly, readers watch as the identity of this character is stripped from her as the story spirals into a darker and darker reflection of consumerism."

The full review can be read at: https://readbya.substack.com/p/natural-beauty-2023-ling-ling