Marketing Beauty

I've recently become aware of an interesting phenomenon: Lipstick sales go up during economic recessions.

Which got me thinking. Lipstick is hardly a necessity, and I can't see how we would need more of it in a recession than normally. Clearly the main consumers of lipstick are women, so I'm going to continue on under the assumption that women are buying all this product.

It's a fairly simple equation: Women like to feel beautiful. Women like to indulge themselves (mmm... chocolate). Lipstick is an inexpensive way to feel special. Normally, not under a recession, I assume these women would be likely to spend more on various other cosmetics or beauty products.

For special occasions, women spend hours of time and hundreds of dollars to feel like they look beautiful. Through advertising, the beauty industry is effectively trying to sell us our own image. And very clearly it's working.

I don't believe there is anything inherently wrong with trying to look good or playing with your image. As an artist and an actress, I actually love it. I wear makeup most days. I love buying clothes that make me feel good. But I try to keep that separation of enjoying my body, compared to frantically trying to chase down an image I can never achieve. I choose to celebrate what I have, not wallow in dissatisfaction.

It's difficult. Because the beauty industry doesn't care about us as people. They are, however, interested in our wallets. For this reason, they prey on girls who only want to feel special and gain approval. They do their best to convince us that we can buy this in bottles and jars. Murale, Sephora... these are entire chains that survive selling nothing but beauty products.

Just know this. Buy that cherry lipstick or green eyeshadow if you want, try it on and let yourself feel glamorous. But don't let it consume you in some desperate attempt to loose yourself searching for whatever is missing. Nothing is missing. You are complete and valuable as you are.

The World in Your Pocket

Recently I have been cell phone shopping. I already have a phone, but it's about three years old, and I'm beginning to feel slightly outdated with all the new gadgetry out. Not to mention Rogers Pay-As-You-Go is only cheap if you pretty much NEVER have your phone on.

I used to keep it under $15 a month quite easily... when I was pretty much stranded at my farm anyway. Now, I'm finding myself out and about in the city a lot, with an amazing boyfriend from another school I try to keep in contact with, and it's getting more pricey.

I've found little hidden costs in my own plan. I've kept it very basic, no voicemail or anything. just calls and text, and it's free to receive texts. But I get charged 30 cents for every missed call (so don't call me, guys! Text me and I'll reach you!), among other arbitrary means of stealing my money.

Three other members of my family also need phones soon, so we've even considered family plans. Yeah, um, don't bother. They are no cheaper. Plans are advertised as low as $15... before caller ID, voicemail, and other features. I've lived without voicemail alright up to this point, and I suppose I could keep it up, but I love my caller ID. Many plans won't give you that without an extra $6 a month.

ALL the companies are like this. (Yes, guys, hate to break it to you, even Koodo. They're not so bad, but have you figured out yet that their whole Tab thing really is just another contract?) I've found nothing that would serve me for under $35 a month yet. Not to mention buying the phone itself.

Why can they hike their prices like this?

Because they know we'll take it.

We are all growing extremely dependent on technology and the internet. We'll put up with the cell phone fees and the internet packages because we need them. Or so we've convinced ourselves.

The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty... RIGHT.

When I first heard of the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty, I thought it was a great idea. Why should we let the media control our standards for beauty? Sure, models are great. I have friends who are models. Photoshop is pretty cool. I wish I could use it better.

But these things aren't an accurate representation of real people. Last I checked, there is another approximately 99.99% of people who aren't models. And girls are heavily targeted by this kind of advertising. So Dove decided to use regular women in their marketing. Way to go, Dove, lead the moral way in advertising.

But wait just a second. Look at your bottle of Dove lotion/deodorant/shampoo/anti-cellulite cream or what have you. I'd like you to notice the little Unilever logo on it. Unilever is the company that owns Dove.

Now go find a can of Axe.
What can you find?

That's right. Axe is also owned by Unilever. I'm certain you've seen at least one Axe commercial. You know, the ones where some guy sprays the product liberally and skinny, scantily clad young women flock to him.

These ads are nothing but degrading. Towards both women and men, actually. Women are portrayed as objects, and the men are controlled by their hormones. What happened to Real Beauty? What happened to the noble cause?

Well, sadly, I think the hypocrisy of Unilever was there all along. Even looking solely at Dove; they sell BEAUTY PRODUCTS. As in, things you use to be more beautiful. How is this promoting the idea of being happy with your body?

Add in to all this that Unilever is also responsible for giving the world Slimfast... It's always about the money, isn't it?


For more on the topic, visit this site as a starting point:
http://www.cbc.ca/streetcents/guide/2005/02/s07_01.html