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”???
"Brad Pitt launched a “genderless” skincare line called Le Domaine. I’ve seen a lot of eye-rolling coverage of this obscenely expensive addition to the celebrity beauty brand space, but all of it misses the point. My theory? Pitt is attempting to soften his public image by distancing himself from traditional masculinity (launching “non-binary” beauty products) and adopting typically “feminine” interests (skirts, skincare, Goop) following allegations that he abused ex-wife Angelina Jolie and their children. And it’s working! Almost no one is talking about the FBI documents that detail a drunken, violent outburst against his family — including shaking Jolie, choking his kid, and pouring beer over both of them. Almost everyone is talking about his $310 “Fluid Cream.”"
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
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.
Lol. My readers make the connection. And I wouldn't *have* any readers if every single article I wrote said "Well actually this thing I'm briefly mentioning today can be traced back thousands of years to the same core events, which I will now explain in detail here, again, as I do in every other article I write, so please read on for 5,000 more words, even though you'll have already read these exact words before if you've consumed any of my other content before, because it's important that I cover the entire history of beauty in every post" over and over and over. Not every article can be about every thing!
Perhaps managing our natural impulses and how those have been exploited might be part of the discussion. I don’t mean to mess up your general thrust. I’m a thoughtful reader too.
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.
Hi Liz. I was unable to post a link. But if you copy and paste these search words into your browser it will take you straight to the episode. bbc womens hour 26 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!!
I just went and looked at that one because I had to know, and it turns out it's kind of applying hustle culture to having friends. Do you look like you don't have enough friends on social media? Hey, that's okay, buddy! Try some lip serum! Here's a podcast about how to extract THE MOST from your life!
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.
I couldn’t agree more. She’s so great!
These are the most insufferable videos! Maybe next is talking while on the toilet or cutting their long toenails.
I completely agree! I feel like we’re going to look back in 10 or 20 years and say wow that was such a weird thing that people were doing.
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”???
I did write a bit about this when he launched the line in 2022! https://jessicadefino.substack.com/p/brad-pitt-beauty-brand-abuse
What I said:
"Brad Pitt launched a “genderless” skincare line called Le Domaine. I’ve seen a lot of eye-rolling coverage of this obscenely expensive addition to the celebrity beauty brand space, but all of it misses the point. My theory? Pitt is attempting to soften his public image by distancing himself from traditional masculinity (launching “non-binary” beauty products) and adopting typically “feminine” interests (skirts, skincare, Goop) following allegations that he abused ex-wife Angelina Jolie and their children. And it’s working! Almost no one is talking about the FBI documents that detail a drunken, violent outburst against his family — including shaking Jolie, choking his kid, and pouring beer over both of them. Almost everyone is talking about his $310 “Fluid Cream.”"
I should’ve known this wouldn’t escape you! I guess i’m just now getting around to hearing about it. but wow—I think your take is spot on
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
And like is it saying, it is okay to be lonely but you don’t have to show it now, do you?
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?!
we'll see!!
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.
I’m very aware it’s not a new worry. I write about the history of beauty for a living!
Your readers may not make the connection. Advertising and how money is extracted from all our pockets fuels the dangerous messages.
Lol. My readers make the connection. And I wouldn't *have* any readers if every single article I wrote said "Well actually this thing I'm briefly mentioning today can be traced back thousands of years to the same core events, which I will now explain in detail here, again, as I do in every other article I write, so please read on for 5,000 more words, even though you'll have already read these exact words before if you've consumed any of my other content before, because it's important that I cover the entire history of beauty in every post" over and over and over. Not every article can be about every thing!
Perhaps managing our natural impulses and how those have been exploited might be part of the discussion. I don’t mean to mess up your general thrust. I’m a thoughtful reader too.
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.
Hi Christine - is there any way you can post a link to this? I'd be interested in listening to it!
Hi Liz. I was unable to post a link. But if you copy and paste these search words into your browser it will take you straight to the episode. bbc womens hour 26 march 2024
Thank you !!
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!!
I just went and looked at that one because I had to know, and it turns out it's kind of applying hustle culture to having friends. Do you look like you don't have enough friends on social media? Hey, that's okay, buddy! Try some lip serum! Here's a podcast about how to extract THE MOST from your life!
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!
What is up with that? Do people actually apply products to their faces by dripping them on that way? It seems so odd to me.
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!