Talk shows. Magazines. Advertisements. Opinions about what looks good and whether or not you fit the bill are everywhere from notes passed in 7^th grade math class to the way your husband looks at you on your wedding day. So who gets to decide? We asked seven women age 13 – 80 who they consider to be the expert opinion on their looks. (Names have been changed.)

Allie, age 13 . “My mom’s opinion counts a lot. She’s really beautiful and she’s a cosmetologist, so she knows. And I know she really loves me, so she counts the most. My friends are next. We all look about the same, so it’s pretty easy…well not really, but it’s sort of easy to all look good most days. Boys will say you look really good if they think you like them, but then they say you don’t or they don’t know if they think you don’t like them. They’re third and sometimes first.”

Monica, age 18. “I don’t know. My roommate has early classes, so I get ready in my dorm alone most mornings, so I guess my opinion counts. I always ask my roommate or whichever friend I see first if I’m having a bad hair or makeup day, so my friends might be my expert opinion. My boyfriend and his friends count. I look at the magazines and reality shows a lot too. If my look compares to that look I feel more confident – does TV count?”

Marie, age 27. “My opinion should count the most, but let’s be honest; it’s how guys look at you when you’re out. If your friends, or even better, a total stranger (girl) checks your look, you know you look good.”

Rebekah, age 35. “My husband’s opinion matters most to me, but I have to feel good about how I look for his opinion to really trump my own. When he comments on my looks, I always feel more confident.”

Charisma, age 49. “I’m staring at 50. I’ve realized that I have to be happy with me for anyone else to really appreciate me. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a second look as much now as I did when I was 21!”

Helena, age 64. “I just retired as a school teacher this year. When my 10^th graders threw me a going away party, one girl hugged me and said I was the most beautiful person she’d ever met. Beauty isn’t written so much on my face any more. It’s written in my heart and that’s where it shows. People I’ve touched and helped to see their real beauty, they are my experts now.”

Rosemarie, age 80. “It’s just about me and God now. I mean, I’ll be seeing him soon so his opinion better matter most. [She laughs a lot at this statement.] It’s the eternal things. They become, and have always been, important. I count that as my expert opinion. Thanks for asking. You made me crack myself up.”

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