I loved this one, I think it cut particularly deep.
You can never have too much of what you don't really want.
I think of drinking coffee when you're thirsty for water and convincing yourself the problem is just that the coffee isn't high quality enough, or there's too much water in the coffee and you should drink espresso, or that the only reliable way to get water is by buying coffee, or maybe if you really embraced a positive mindful attitude towards coffee it wouldn't leave you feeling so bad, or maybe you should fight back against mainstream strong black coffee culture and try this refreshing organic iced coffee instead.
I also think of accounts I've read by people who self-harmed for so long they grew to ritualise it, and the parallels in your writing sent a shudder of recognition.
I think of accounts by women who believed that love was like getting nothing but endless cups of perfectly swirled expensive cappuccinos and wondering why they were felt like they were dying inside.
I think the topic of makeup/beauty as it relates to wellness is so muddled because it asks us to confront our relationship with consumerism in general. so much of what we buy is self-interpreted/justified as a representation of the self and any sniff of criticism at that relationship can feel like a personal attack. but it's really like a once you see it you can't unsee it sort of situation. the more I learn about beauty culture and its ties with capitalism, it's hard not to see advertisement as a form of escapism/cope about the fact of one's mortality. "maybe if I buy enough things I can stave off the threat of death, the last one didn't work, but maybe this one will. I didn't feel better with my last purchase in a sustained way like I was promised, but maybe I just have to try again." these are the sort of thought spirals I find myself in when I buy into the belief that products will save me.
So well written and interesting, thank you so much! I love the extra theory proposed at the end too- absolutely- consumers wanting to feel they/we are part of something bigger and healthier than what is actually happening.
…skin care and make up as meditation - you are so right- words have meanings - meditation means something, it is something by itself, that is integral to what it is.
I wonder if another part the individual writing doesn’t feel better (more at peace or calm) after is because our spines are not straight or stable when we are using mirrors. We either bend at the waist - increasing dysfunctions in our lower and upper spine - or sit on the floor or at a vanity - leaning forward.
A combo of: peering into the mirror/thinking critically, body not being in a comfortable/straight spine/safe place, annnnd not meditating :)
I think back to my punk rock youth and taking so much time to apply my liquid eyeliner, a combo of Cleopatra and Siouxsie Sioux. It was about expression. There was a meditation of sorts to it, along with rebellion. Of course, it was about aesthetics, not beauty (at least not mainstream). It was fun (and so much work). What I think we keep calling "self-care" and "meditation" is really just time to ourselves. Glorious moments when we don't have to think about anything other than flossing. That's what my morning and evening routines are: my time. Whether I'm begrudgingly applying mascara to go into the office or taking it off before bed, it's nice to have that quiet time to zone out, stop the hamster wheel in the head and relax. (And, yes, I'm weird enough to find flossing relaxing. LOL) xo
Late to this but ... Jessica, I love the concept of this-- so great to point out the conflation between makeup and meditation. It's truly appalling. But did want to let you know you got a lot wrong on what mindfulness is, including that Deepak has anything to do with it, that it is rooted in Ayurveda, and a few other points. Happy to share offline if you are interested. It's my field. I'm a big fan of yours, btw!
Gawd-8 step routine? No wonder it’s causing malaise, she’s likely exhausted! As is her skin, sadly. The brainwash runs deep, but that’s true of most all of us to varying degrees. But this, with the meditation or mindfulness connection to “girl time”-are young people so desperate for identity and soothing THIS connection just clicks as valid without question or internal investigation? I hate to see this. If anyone can help the masses sever themselves from such damaging and dangerous marketing it’s Jess.
I loved this one, I think it cut particularly deep.
You can never have too much of what you don't really want.
I think of drinking coffee when you're thirsty for water and convincing yourself the problem is just that the coffee isn't high quality enough, or there's too much water in the coffee and you should drink espresso, or that the only reliable way to get water is by buying coffee, or maybe if you really embraced a positive mindful attitude towards coffee it wouldn't leave you feeling so bad, or maybe you should fight back against mainstream strong black coffee culture and try this refreshing organic iced coffee instead.
I also think of accounts I've read by people who self-harmed for so long they grew to ritualise it, and the parallels in your writing sent a shudder of recognition.
I think of accounts by women who believed that love was like getting nothing but endless cups of perfectly swirled expensive cappuccinos and wondering why they were felt like they were dying inside.
I think the topic of makeup/beauty as it relates to wellness is so muddled because it asks us to confront our relationship with consumerism in general. so much of what we buy is self-interpreted/justified as a representation of the self and any sniff of criticism at that relationship can feel like a personal attack. but it's really like a once you see it you can't unsee it sort of situation. the more I learn about beauty culture and its ties with capitalism, it's hard not to see advertisement as a form of escapism/cope about the fact of one's mortality. "maybe if I buy enough things I can stave off the threat of death, the last one didn't work, but maybe this one will. I didn't feel better with my last purchase in a sustained way like I was promised, but maybe I just have to try again." these are the sort of thought spirals I find myself in when I buy into the belief that products will save me.
So well written and interesting, thank you so much! I love the extra theory proposed at the end too- absolutely- consumers wanting to feel they/we are part of something bigger and healthier than what is actually happening.
…skin care and make up as meditation - you are so right- words have meanings - meditation means something, it is something by itself, that is integral to what it is.
I wonder if another part the individual writing doesn’t feel better (more at peace or calm) after is because our spines are not straight or stable when we are using mirrors. We either bend at the waist - increasing dysfunctions in our lower and upper spine - or sit on the floor or at a vanity - leaning forward.
A combo of: peering into the mirror/thinking critically, body not being in a comfortable/straight spine/safe place, annnnd not meditating :)
Thank you so much!
I think back to my punk rock youth and taking so much time to apply my liquid eyeliner, a combo of Cleopatra and Siouxsie Sioux. It was about expression. There was a meditation of sorts to it, along with rebellion. Of course, it was about aesthetics, not beauty (at least not mainstream). It was fun (and so much work). What I think we keep calling "self-care" and "meditation" is really just time to ourselves. Glorious moments when we don't have to think about anything other than flossing. That's what my morning and evening routines are: my time. Whether I'm begrudgingly applying mascara to go into the office or taking it off before bed, it's nice to have that quiet time to zone out, stop the hamster wheel in the head and relax. (And, yes, I'm weird enough to find flossing relaxing. LOL) xo
🎯
Excellent as always!
You keep knocking it out of the ballpark. Really good stuff.
Mindfulness is moisturiser. LOVED this one Jessica
Late to this but ... Jessica, I love the concept of this-- so great to point out the conflation between makeup and meditation. It's truly appalling. But did want to let you know you got a lot wrong on what mindfulness is, including that Deepak has anything to do with it, that it is rooted in Ayurveda, and a few other points. Happy to share offline if you are interested. It's my field. I'm a big fan of yours, btw!
Gawd-8 step routine? No wonder it’s causing malaise, she’s likely exhausted! As is her skin, sadly. The brainwash runs deep, but that’s true of most all of us to varying degrees. But this, with the meditation or mindfulness connection to “girl time”-are young people so desperate for identity and soothing THIS connection just clicks as valid without question or internal investigation? I hate to see this. If anyone can help the masses sever themselves from such damaging and dangerous marketing it’s Jess.
The closing sentence on the article PERIODTTTTTT
Absolutely incredible work. Thank you for doing the work that you do, and creating this writing that literally changes lives.
After I gave birth what grounded me for a time was my morning and nighttime regime
INCREDIBLE last sentence 😁👌
Thank you so good!!