apologies if i’ve missed it somewhere but jessica I need you to write about brad pitt’s skincare line—who needs a $275 serum with an “oak cap that was hand carved in the French mountains”???
These videos are so weird to me! and your thoughts on this are so interesting - active influencing to passive influencing...to...? Where do you think it goes next lol?!
Marilyn Monroe blew a well lipsticked kiss into a camera and the world was simply never the same.
She and Mimi Van Doren with Mariska Haggarty’s mom, Jane Mansfield wore pencil skirts so tight and heels so high they had to be assisted in stepping onto a stage. Hair so high too. Getting “gussied up” for an event, a moment, has forever been a message. It’s far worse, reaching a wider audience and having worse effects emotionally, I agree. But, it’s not a new worry.
some of these thumbnails (case in point the white woman smiling wide, frozen in a pose of applying cream blush to her face as the caption reads "why its okay to be lonely") have dealt me enough psychic damage that I don't need to watch the videos themselves tbh
You may be interested in the recent interview on BBC Women's Hour about a Swedish Pharmacy banning the sale of anti aging products to children Womens Hour Anti-ageing products and young girls. Released 26th March 2024.
some of the thumbnails made me lol esp the one of the person applying blush with the text ‘why it’s okay to be lonely’ it reads like a meme!! but they’re fully serious!!
As I read this I kept thinking of the end scene in Dangerous Liaisons where Glenn Close is taking off her very powdered 18th century makeup in her vanity mirror showing that things have gone all wrong.
We’ve got it all wrong!!
Especially the gross dropper-ing directly onto the cheeks thing. This makes no sense to me you have to use your fingers anyway!
I find it so odd! I follow someone on IG who gives great news updates on her stories but she is often putting on makeup or curling her hair. I can barely pay attention to what she’s saying because I find it so weird to watch someone in their bathrobe publicly getting ready for the day.
Super interesting and astute as always! I realised while reading how many of my favourite small-time lifestyle vloggers on YouTube have gotten me hooked on beauty while they do “chatty GRWMs” - while previously I had no interest in what kind of lipstick they were using, I’ve been a passive consumer for YEARS and it is all thanks to the relatable emotional appeal that I’m actually into make up now!! Super interesting stuff.
I just saw an Amanda Matta TikTok (mattaoffact) where she's doing her makeup while giving an update on her beat, which is the British Royal Family. It was so weird!
You are brilliant, and I’m so grateful I found your Substack. I wish for a million more honest observations like yours.
These are the most insufferable videos! Maybe next is talking while on the toilet or cutting their long toenails.
apologies if i’ve missed it somewhere but jessica I need you to write about brad pitt’s skincare line—who needs a $275 serum with an “oak cap that was hand carved in the French mountains”???
These videos are so weird to me! and your thoughts on this are so interesting - active influencing to passive influencing...to...? Where do you think it goes next lol?!
Marilyn Monroe blew a well lipsticked kiss into a camera and the world was simply never the same.
She and Mimi Van Doren with Mariska Haggarty’s mom, Jane Mansfield wore pencil skirts so tight and heels so high they had to be assisted in stepping onto a stage. Hair so high too. Getting “gussied up” for an event, a moment, has forever been a message. It’s far worse, reaching a wider audience and having worse effects emotionally, I agree. But, it’s not a new worry.
some of these thumbnails (case in point the white woman smiling wide, frozen in a pose of applying cream blush to her face as the caption reads "why its okay to be lonely") have dealt me enough psychic damage that I don't need to watch the videos themselves tbh
Very insightful.
You may be interested in the recent interview on BBC Women's Hour about a Swedish Pharmacy banning the sale of anti aging products to children Womens Hour Anti-ageing products and young girls. Released 26th March 2024.
Sneaky sales tactics... And an even tighter grip on our psyches via other ,,stories". Yuck.
some of the thumbnails made me lol esp the one of the person applying blush with the text ‘why it’s okay to be lonely’ it reads like a meme!! but they’re fully serious!!
As I read this I kept thinking of the end scene in Dangerous Liaisons where Glenn Close is taking off her very powdered 18th century makeup in her vanity mirror showing that things have gone all wrong.
We’ve got it all wrong!!
Especially the gross dropper-ing directly onto the cheeks thing. This makes no sense to me you have to use your fingers anyway!
How long before before physical beauty can be altered pre natal or at birth…
Why wait!
I still say.. look at the Kardashians at 15 and look at them now. From cute to blow- up dolls.. all the same
I find it so odd! I follow someone on IG who gives great news updates on her stories but she is often putting on makeup or curling her hair. I can barely pay attention to what she’s saying because I find it so weird to watch someone in their bathrobe publicly getting ready for the day.
Super interesting and astute as always! I realised while reading how many of my favourite small-time lifestyle vloggers on YouTube have gotten me hooked on beauty while they do “chatty GRWMs” - while previously I had no interest in what kind of lipstick they were using, I’ve been a passive consumer for YEARS and it is all thanks to the relatable emotional appeal that I’m actually into make up now!! Super interesting stuff.
uuhg these videos give me the ICK they are ICKY and thank you 4 writing about it
Christ, this is sad. Thanks for doing the good work, Jess.
I just saw an Amanda Matta TikTok (mattaoffact) where she's doing her makeup while giving an update on her beat, which is the British Royal Family. It was so weird!