Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Caught in a trap – women and the beauty industry

By Alison Sweeney - posted Wednesday, 19 January 2005


Just reading the product marketing information has the desired effect so carefully thought out by clever marketers.

An anti-wrinkle product promises to de-age, lift and firm my skin while I sleep. I must be in a bad way as Misty advised me I needed a concentrate or high performance treatment. The more intensive the better she said to me pointedly.

One product promises re-surfacing followed by repair and recovery. I checked that I was still reading the packaging of a skin care product and hadn’t accidentally stumbled upon the RTAs plan for flood-ravaged roads.

Advertisement

Who said using expensive beauty products makes a female feel glamorous? With product names such as “Dermo-Crease Reducer”, there is more glamour in the waste management business.

There is “Night Repair” and then there’s “Advanced Night Repair”. Later, I checked the Oxford Dictionary. Repair: “to restore to a good condition after decay or damage.” Decay! I wanted to ask what happened if “Advanced Night Repair” doesn’t work but assume you’re a lost cause by then.

A colleague of Misty’s then showed me before and after shots of product users. It was obviously a well rehearsed part of the sales pitch. Was it my imagination or did she emphasise the before shot a little too much?

I was urged to hydrate and re-hydrate. Evidently, beauty product marketers are oblivious to water restrictions.

Finally, Misty and her friend convinced me that I couldn’t go through life without using a product containing the very serious sounding “corrective serum”. Neatly packaged in a miniscule thimble-like container I meekly succumbed, and handing over an exorbitant sum of money, received a smug smile and a written guarantee for a new face overnight.

Did I really need the product I bought? Has it enhanced my life at all? No, but somehow in that 15 minute sales and marketing assault I became convinced that I did need the product and that I would be happier person for buying it. For a teenager of the 70s who made do with Clearasil and thought using a chapstick was a beauty routine, the world has changed, led by a very smart and savvy beauty industry.  

Advertisement

Message to the beauty industry - be gentle. Contrary to what Misty says, we’re not all thick skinned.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

7 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Alison Sweeney is a freelance communications professional. Her personal blog is The Instant Coffee.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Alison Sweeney
Photo of Alison Sweeney
Article Tools
Comment 7 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy