MATERNITY

Another niche in the beauty and fashion industry is that of maternity. This special time in a woman's life is fraught with challenges to a woman's sense of her own beauty. The special glow that so often enhances a woman's skin tone and general glowing appearance may be compromised in their minds (and the minds of some observers) by the sheer proportion of the physical changes that accompany fetal incubation.

Fashion designers have long responded to a woman's need to feel and look attractive during pregnancy. Many lines of clothing can indeed minimise the “bump,” or at least portray it in a lovely way through tailoring, colours and pattern design. Special maternity bras and undergarments fill the practical needs expressed by the changes that many pregnant women undergo. On the other end of the spectrum, Vogue magazine chose to put a very pregnant and very naked Demi Moore on its cover some years ago. This served to assert the natural beauty of the pregnant form and arguably did a service to women everywhere by doing so.
maternity

Other concerns are addressed through beauty products. These include specially formulated creams that claim to help minimise stretch marks or to help ease the pain felt during pregnancy by many women in their breasts.

Maternity-oriented beauty and fashion products perhaps come closer to the mark of doing a service to pregnant women, as so many of them seem to undergo very real bouts of insecurity regarding their appearance.