34 Comments
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Ashley Ragus's avatar

Your writing here just prompted a googling spree going from "Kim Kardashian investors" > an article saying that Skims got $154 million dollars in funding last year >Thrive Capital, a venture capital firm started by Joshua Kushner (Ivanka Tr*mp's husband's brother) that invests in Skims, also invests in Glossier, Stripe, dozens of web-brands...

Their website contains NOTHING except like two pages with an about description "We partner with exceptional founders to catalyze the creation of world-class companies."

Just dizzying thinking about 1) how these pools of capital are created off the backs of like, real working people, 2) how the capital is used like freaking play-money for brands like Kim to diversify their portfolios, and 3) how these brands are marketed to the same real human people who created the wealth in the first place. Like... thanks for harvesting raw materials and living downwind of my toxic chemical factory - now put this oil on your face so you don't look like you've been worked to death!

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Jessica DeFino's avatar

I honestly didn't even think to check if her brands received outside funding (bc why would they need it??) but DAMN. This is gold. And it's so true! They have us all working multiple jobs and buying an under-eye cream instead of sleeping.

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TH's avatar

1000000% spot on! Thank you again and again for seeing through KK's deception and their lucrative empire that's feeding into an extremely toxic culture. Your journalism is always thorough, detailed, well-written, truthful, and INTERESTING! More people need to speak/ write the truth like you have! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

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Jessica DeFino's avatar

Thank you so much!!

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Sandra Heerma van Voss's avatar

Most depressing part of this is what brought this article about in the first place: the f#cking Times, self-proclaimed ,,best newspaper in the world”, caving to an infomercial about a useless new brand and its multimillionaire owner who has absolutely nothing interesting to say.

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Jessica DeFino's avatar

....can't say I disagree!!

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Valerie Monroe's avatar

I hate to say it, but this title rivals mine. And I love it. And everything else about your rant. Brilliant, brilliant commentary. xo

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Jessica DeFino's avatar

hahah i thought it might get some clicks!

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Valerie Monroe's avatar

good thinking!

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Ann M.'s avatar

I feel sad (and mad) that young girls are subjected / exposed / to this s***. Kardashian “beauty” is an ugly affair.

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Mirleesae's avatar

Thanks Jessica, subscribing to your newsletter was the BEST fucking decision! Your pieces are well researched, and I'm so thankful you always add links to the studies you reference. Bravo!

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Jessica DeFino's avatar

Ahh thank you!! That's so nice to hear :)

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Lisa M.'s avatar

This is essential reading

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Jessica DeFino's avatar

lol thank you!

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Mary-Katherine Fleming's avatar

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

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Shannon O's avatar

I’m so thankful I learned of you and your work be happenstance while listening to Sounds Like a Cult. Your newsletter is a highlight of my day.

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Jessica DeFino's avatar

Ahh thank you!! That means so much to me <3

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Isabel Cowles Murphy's avatar

This is complicated. On the one hand we’re punished/ left out/ devalued for not looking like the idealized norm, on the other “Hope for transformation obscures the reality of harm.” Literally, harmed if you don’t, harmed if you do. What’s the way out? 🆘

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Jessica DeFino's avatar

The way out, I think, is to prioritize the collective. To practice community care. If you're harmed if you do, harmed if you don't, the clear answer (to me) is to choose the route that reduces future harm. To try our best not to perpetuate beauty standards that have the ability to physically/psychologically damage our fellow humans.

I also think it's helpful to keep in mind that globally, there are millions and even billions of women who don't look like the idealized norm — many who don't participate in beauty culture at all — who lead happy, fulfilled lives full of friends, family, lovers, partners, children, jobs, hobbies, love, joy!

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Sandra Heerma van Voss's avatar

Come to Holland and check them out!!

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Stkmstr650's avatar

Excellent article! What a subject line!!!

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Jessica DeFino's avatar

haha thank you! <3

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Sylvia's avatar

Wow. Fantastic article! Thank you. It's a pleasure reading your work.

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Jessica DeFino's avatar

Thank you so much!!

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Whitney McKnight's avatar

Ahahahahahaha.

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Janelle Meraz Hooper's avatar

Good job! I gave up on trying to follow beauty trends years ago, but I am stunned at what I hear about KK. Toxic culture is a good description of it. You're offering much needed information to younger women. As for getting a patootie operation, have mercy! How tragic is that?!

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Jessica DeFino's avatar

"patootie operation" is my new favorite phrase!!!

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Janelle Meraz Hooper's avatar

I have a short list of words that are acceptable on the internet for body parts. Guess what Willie and Whistle are codes for. This is not my idea. For instance, as I recall, I found 12 words in the Comanche dictionary for fleas.

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Hannah's avatar

God I always love your posts. I'm a copywriter who always dreamed of doing this kind of work (ended up in marketing, go figure)! If you ever need writers, I'd love to be one of the voices decrying this parasitic industry!

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Laura La Sottile's avatar

This is Genius and makes me laugh too! But, it is seriously serious! It is a disorder! It's a COVID but with a disguise and worse you can still believe you are ALIVE!

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