Curious what you think about Katie Sturino's work in body positivity/body acceptance and fat activism in light of her position as the head of a beauty brand? My perception of Megababe is that it is a brand who champions products for all body sizes and markets itself that way, which is great. But where does fat activism end and beauty liberation begin? Often times people in bigger bodies feel an inordinate amount of pressure to extra super conform to skin/makeup/hair beauty standards. I don't have any concrete thoughts myself, just thinking aloud.
I had not read this botox post until now — perfectly said, natch, and I am floored (or maybe I'm actually not) that while Sturino deleted the post she never addressed it.
Based on the butt hole cleanser, I am going to say she did not learn from it. While Megababe's philosophy began as a good one, and many products appeared utilitarian, the latest falls into the trap of we are never good enough...and need more products to improve ourselves. Ridiculous.
I would be curious to read a post about examples or a “how-to” on authentic, non-commodified, embodied representations of beauty. We have all been so brainwashed and wired by industry and image, that it’s hard sometimes for me to envision what the opposite is of the concepts that you so adeptly critique. As a mother of two young girls, this has been on my mind for a while. Where I have found some themes that feel true, are in posts about teaching children (and ourselves) to trust our own thoughts, and our own bodies from a young age. To not silence instinct, and to hone and trust one’s signals and inner wisdom - as one example. Would be so curious to hear your take.
Hi Kathleen, my friend and colleague Aprilia West published a book that centers around our values and how they relate to our choices. Did you read @mikalajohnson’s piece here about body image, eating and values? Priceless. while on sabbatical from my therapy practice, she’s elevated my thinking so much, as has Jess’s.
Aprilia’s book is “What You Feel is not All There Is” ties our values to our choices in big ways. She’s incredibly research-based her the style of coaching/therapy she developed is the grandchild of CBT and DBT.
Please pardon my diatribe here. All this info is just near and dear to my heart 💜
No pardon needed! You are in good company:) I do not know both of the individuals you reference and look forward to getting to know their work. Thank you for the suggestion, much appreciated. I think you are suggesting that part of what I’m asking for is connected to values-based living/appearance, which feels like a huge part of how to avoid succumbing to everything Jess critiques.
I really enjoyed certain aspects! Something is off for me, but I can’t put my finger on it. It’s not as simple as her being the object of the male gaze, either. It might have more to do with liberation posited as simply not being subjected to oppressive conventions, but at the same time, the world around her seems unfazed by the aspects of her behavior that would have been the most unconventional, so there’s really not any push-back. She’s kind of in a bubble in that sense, and so her liberation seems limited to her interactions with men who are trying to possess her. I need to watch it again!
The headlines above your posts are getting more and more ominous. And that is a compliment on how spot-on you are. I recently listened to a whole podcast interview with a succesful business woman who is apparently empowering us all selling ,,vaginal care" sh#t. Leave it alone!!
I walked by Ulta the other day and noticed the huge ad in their window with, you guessed it, young tweens. Maybe 8-9 year olds. Immediately I thought of you and your fabulous writing.
Curious what you think about Katie Sturino's work in body positivity/body acceptance and fat activism in light of her position as the head of a beauty brand? My perception of Megababe is that it is a brand who champions products for all body sizes and markets itself that way, which is great. But where does fat activism end and beauty liberation begin? Often times people in bigger bodies feel an inordinate amount of pressure to extra super conform to skin/makeup/hair beauty standards. I don't have any concrete thoughts myself, just thinking aloud.
I’ve written about her/this before!
https://jessicadefino.substack.com/p/katie-sturino-botox-ad
I had not read this botox post until now — perfectly said, natch, and I am floored (or maybe I'm actually not) that while Sturino deleted the post she never addressed it.
Based on the butt hole cleanser, I am going to say she did not learn from it. While Megababe's philosophy began as a good one, and many products appeared utilitarian, the latest falls into the trap of we are never good enough...and need more products to improve ourselves. Ridiculous.
oh thank you! this is from before i found your work
I would be curious to read a post about examples or a “how-to” on authentic, non-commodified, embodied representations of beauty. We have all been so brainwashed and wired by industry and image, that it’s hard sometimes for me to envision what the opposite is of the concepts that you so adeptly critique. As a mother of two young girls, this has been on my mind for a while. Where I have found some themes that feel true, are in posts about teaching children (and ourselves) to trust our own thoughts, and our own bodies from a young age. To not silence instinct, and to hone and trust one’s signals and inner wisdom - as one example. Would be so curious to hear your take.
Hi Kathleen, my friend and colleague Aprilia West published a book that centers around our values and how they relate to our choices. Did you read @mikalajohnson’s piece here about body image, eating and values? Priceless. while on sabbatical from my therapy practice, she’s elevated my thinking so much, as has Jess’s.
Aprilia’s book is “What You Feel is not All There Is” ties our values to our choices in big ways. She’s incredibly research-based her the style of coaching/therapy she developed is the grandchild of CBT and DBT.
Please pardon my diatribe here. All this info is just near and dear to my heart 💜
No pardon needed! You are in good company:) I do not know both of the individuals you reference and look forward to getting to know their work. Thank you for the suggestion, much appreciated. I think you are suggesting that part of what I’m asking for is connected to values-based living/appearance, which feels like a huge part of how to avoid succumbing to everything Jess critiques.
Good morning and if you’d care to share any thoughts after any further review of anything, I’d love to hear them!
Will always be curious for anything you read and your thoughts!
Can’t wait for your take on Poor Things!
What is your take? I am scared to go - weird vibes of female objectification dressed up as ,,empowerment"... Am I wrong?
I really enjoyed certain aspects! Something is off for me, but I can’t put my finger on it. It’s not as simple as her being the object of the male gaze, either. It might have more to do with liberation posited as simply not being subjected to oppressive conventions, but at the same time, the world around her seems unfazed by the aspects of her behavior that would have been the most unconventional, so there’s really not any push-back. She’s kind of in a bubble in that sense, and so her liberation seems limited to her interactions with men who are trying to possess her. I need to watch it again!
Thank you! And maybe that is my unease: the limited scope of her liberation. We need Jessica for this one...
“If “empowerment” is what you’re after, try living according to your values!”. So true! If only people understood this.
I've had a dirty butthole this whole time waiting for a beauty company to bring out a butthole cleaner. Thanks, Megababe!
The headlines above your posts are getting more and more ominous. And that is a compliment on how spot-on you are. I recently listened to a whole podcast interview with a succesful business woman who is apparently empowering us all selling ,,vaginal care" sh#t. Leave it alone!!
Jess my phone is broken and so I’m popping off online because it’s my only outlet at the moment ; )
So please do include an image of Courtney Love and anything around her song “Doll Parts” in this series…
I walked by Ulta the other day and noticed the huge ad in their window with, you guessed it, young tweens. Maybe 8-9 year olds. Immediately I thought of you and your fabulous writing.
Great roundup again! But that last quote/paragraph>sentence Jess, VERY powerful. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Excited to have you delve deeper into the tween skincare trend!
YES! That Dazed article is so good - it perfectly articulates something that I’ve been trying to say for so long.
Yes, let me spend all this money to clean my butthole just to shit through it after my morning coffee 🤦🏻♀️