The Problem with Pretty: Beauty, Bias and the Surprising Science of Good Looks

A beauty and mental health expert exposes how Western society has controlled the narrative on feminine aesthetics, and breaks down the science and psychology of beauty to help women feel more confident.

What is beauty? Who gets to determine who is beautiful? What happens when you fall outside of beauty norms?

Most of us have been tricked into believing beauty is about how we look, but Dr. Allycin Powell-Hicks reveals that the real problem isn't your appearance--it's how you're trained to see it. Blending science-based research and personal experiences, The Problem with Pretty dismantles beauty myths from their roots and dissects what it really means to be beautiful. She exposes how our brains take shortcuts, latching on to tiny visual cues and filling in the rest with socially constructed ideas that have nothing to do with reality.

The Problem with Pretty rewires how we perceive beauty. Drawing on women's stories, Dr. Ally breaks down the biases that shape our self-worth. She sheds a much-needed light on the systems that profit from our insecurities as well as how understanding our lineage can help us reclaim our power. With humor and her signature straightforward style, Dr. Ally offers the practical tools you need to stop chasing pretty and start living free, whole, and connected to who you really are.

Author: Allycin Powell-Hicks
Publisher: Legacy Lit
Published: 06/02/2026
Pages: 208
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.60lbs
Size: 8.10h x 5.20w x 0.90d
ISBN: 9781538772713

About the Author

Dr. Allycin Powell-Hicks is a beauty, mental health, and relationship expert and the founder of the Doux Consulting Group. She hosted the acclaimed show Like Mother, Like Daughter on Discovery+ and the Oprah Winfrey Network. She's also featured on the shows The Never Ever Mets, Family or Fiancé, Profiled: The Black Man, and Love & Hip Hop. She lives in Los Angeles, California.