InStyle Magazine’s February 2016 issue features Jennifer Lopez and utilizes her reputation to discuss body image. Through color, diction and overall style the magazine achieves a relaxed yet powerful appearance. Jennifer Lopez, the now 47-year-old, is consistently portrayed as a role model for young women. She is famous for her ageless beauty and conviction in her curves. 

While Lopez is an example of a confident woman, the magazine cover shows a clear juxtaposition between body appreciation and self-consciousness. Although the diction on the cover has positive connotations, Lopez’s body language is conservative and tense. One exclamation on the page states, “Jennifer! Catching up with our favorite wonder woman,” and while a “wonder woman” has the expectation to be powerful and exuberant, Lopez seems to be hiding. Her stance, crossed arms, is a common symbol for being closed off. Instead of embracing her body she seems to be putting up a literal barrier. Although the magazine issue is a “Love your body” issue, the picture chosen as the cover does not accurately portray its claim. 

Similarly, another text grouping on the cover reads “Forever Young tricks from Korea’s skin goddess” even though the articles are saying to love yourself no matter what. The use of the word “goddess” is an appeal to ethos, giving credibility to the Korean skin care tactics. A goddess is worshiped for their beauty, and although the magazine seems to be praising natural beauty, the diction is subtly defining beauty standards. The dichotomy of the words brings up the question “Does one need to look a certain way to love their body?” While the largest font on the page is encouraging loving oneself, the only other matching font is saying to do the opposite. Jennifer Lopez is a woman known for her beauty and her never aging appearance. She perfectly fits the caption “Forever Young” and is an instant draw to an audience. She as the main focus of the magazine, combined with the beauty articles, is a huge selling point for women who want to look younger. Without outright saying it the magazine is implying that there are tricks to look “ageless” like Lopez. This is an obvious appeal to pathos: the secrets to a way for self-conscious people to fix their insecurities. 

The overall flair of the cover seems to be relaxed in color and in style. Lopez is not wearing an extravagant outfit or lavish jewelry, just a simple sweater. Lopez, generally portrays barrier breaking and controversial outfits, especially on the red carpet. However, the picture exposes a softer side to the actress. The sweater, while a turtleneck and covering most of her torso, exposes her midriff. Exposing a woman’s midriff is a confident maneuver and often associated with a sexual connotation, since the midriff is skin that isn’t normally revealed. “10 new ways to find calm” a text written on the magazine could be the inspiration for Lopez’s relaxed look. Her style most likely represents articles that are to follow in the magazine. Not only is she dressed in a comfortable style, but her makeup seems natural and her hair is tousled and natural looking. Her styling embraces natural beauty and the female figure without being overtly sexual and degrading. 

As the cover says it is the February 2016 issue; the cool pink tones could represent the beginning of the transition from winter to spring. The light peach tones combined with the grey tones of the background provide a gradient from dark to light similar to the seasons. The peach is a subtly warm color as February is not yet spring. February is known as the month of love as it is the host of Valentine’s day. Generally, magazines and articles in February are about how to find love and what the perfect date would be; however, this design tells its audience to love themselves. Nothing on the cover discusses men or the need to be with someone, it is empowering women through beauty and acceptance. In the typical Valentine’s Day article, pictures or ads portray all different couples, saying there is someone for everyone. This picture takes a spin on that concept and says “we’ve got stylish solutions for every figure fixation.” The articles give confidence to women saying that there are flattering clothes for everyone no matter the body type. Again the magazine focuses on self-love and improving self-confidence as opposed to encouraging the need for love and the worthlessness that comes from the stigma of loneliness. 

When closely examining the photo of Lopez it is possible for a reader to see that it is unedited (to the natural eye). The sleeves of the sweater are pulled across her arms, showing her curves and muscles. In most beauty magazines curves or pulls in fabrics are edited out to make the model seem skinnier than the reality. This magazine’s body issue portrays natural unedited beauty. From no finger nail polish to non-brushed hair and subtle makeup Jennifer Lopez is embracing her natural side. Her facial expression also portrays a more timid side: there is no fierce, dramatic, or crazy look in her eyes and her jaw seems relaxed. 

The magazine cover including Jennifer Lopez depicts a confident and natural woman in a world where “nothing seems to flatter.” The image, while in general portrays an embracing side to women in the media, subtly hints at beauty tricks. Although most likely not natural, her makeup, hair and overall appearance create a look of comfortability. Instead of hiding oneself the image is saying to the audience in a bold and extremely large font to love oneself and embrace all. 
