The business of ignorance

Perhaps our favourite advertisements are those that have been banned, and what great media coverage they get from it all! However, it gets annoying when repeatedly we're faced with misleading adverts that are being overlooked by the everyday person- thus thriving off ignorance. Makeup could well be the greatest offender when it comes to misleading ads.

 

What we, as the audience, have to look for is the fine print. Some mascara adverts include in an inconspicuous area; 'Lash inserts used'. First of all, in everyday language, people have no idea what a 'lash insert' is. They're fake lashes, in layman's terms. They could comprise of strip lashes that cover the entire length of your own lashes, or individual lashes which add to the outside corner of your eye to add volume subtly. Secondly, not all adverts use this fine print as it is not expressly required by law, and it is an area we are not looking for. Our eye is being drawn to whatever the advertiser wants our attention.

Anyway, the point is- when makeup companies advertise mascara (or any kind of makeup for that matter) they use the power of ignorance to aid them. We all want that false eyelash look. For many years eyelashes have been the epitome of sex appeal, but the truth to the matter is- that look is not achieveable without fake lashes.

 

There have been makeup companies that have been pulled up on misleading, or deceiving their audience. A recent case of this has been Natalie Portman's adverts for Dior.

 



 

Rival company, L'Oreal, pulled Dior up on the above advert saying it "misleadingly exaggerated the likely effects of the product." However, Dior countered that the ad was 'aspirational' and that the actress had not worn false eyelashes, but her lashes had been altered in Photoshop afterwards. Ultimately the ad was banned in the UK, but not in the United States were freedom of speech overpowers reality.

 

On the surface, this seems to be a win for consumers, a step closer to honest advertising- hoorah! If only this wasn't a sad case pulling down the competition. L'Oreal have been pulled up on their own misleading advertising. Early in 2012 they were found to have digitally altered Rachel Weisz's complexion  for an anti-wrinkle cream.

 

No wonder so many people struggle with self esteem issues. We're constantly being fed false information about the perfection of beauty, or even that there is one true answer to becoming perfect.

Mascara Mania

Overall, people are not aware of the persuading, and sometimes misleading language used by makeup companies. One of my biggest gripes in particular, is mascara advertising.

I have researched ingredients of different brands of mascara, they all have basically the same ingredients. Silicone, various types of wax and iron oxides for colour. So when Maybelline advertise their 'Colossal Volum' Express Mascara' it is no different to what you're paying for with Lancome's 'Hypnose' mascara.


The difference overall, would be the brush length, size of bristles and the spacing between the bristles. My advice to you, is to find a brush that suits you. What you should be looking for in a brush is one that separates the lash which would therefore coat each one to give a fuller look to your lashes, and by default fuller lashes tend to fool one into thinking they are longer.

There is no magical mascara that will add length to your lashes, it would be the same effect as a brush that adds length to your hair.

As I was researching mascara, I came across some worrying ingredients makeup companies use. Although there are restrictions on the amount used, mercury is not banned for use as a makeup ingredient. Again, the ingredient 'Dimethicone'- a type of silicone, the same used in some shampoos to coat and add shine to hair. I am wary about getting shampoo in my eyes, so why would I apply this ingredient so close to my eye via mascara?

As I was looking into this I came across this brilliant website; Cosmetics Database. It rates each makeup product on its health risks according to its ingredients. Worryingly though, designer brand makeup has made it hard to look up their ingredients. Those listed on the database are marked as 'old products' with formulations only from years ago. Perhaps, this is only to hide the fact that their make up contains the same formulation as drugstore brands, not because they use harmful ingredients.

The death of Phoebe Handsjuk

If you've heard about the death of Phoebe, you've heard the public outcry for justice. The case of  a young woman who was found to have fallen 12 storeys via garbage chute feet first and then bled to death, is constantly trying to be reopened for investigation by her friends and family.

Her death was ultimately ruled as suicide. What the family question is how the Victorian police department could have concluded that an intoxicated woman could squeeze herself into the small opening of the garbage chute as her blood alcohol level read 0.16 with the prescription drug stilnox also found in her system. What's puzzling again, is how the chute's blades changed from manual to allow her body to drop through unharmed, back to automatic.

In this Sunday night report, they describe Phoebe's boyfriend, Antony, as controlling and manipulative. They are careful to not point fingers as to who the murderer is assumed to be, cleverly dodging a possible defamation case. They also bring up the topic of Antony's parents- his father is retired Victorian Supreme Court justice, George Hampel, and stepson of County Court judge, Felicity Hampel. Perhaps implying that Antony may well be able to adjust the justice system according to how it best suits him.

Suspicions also surround Antony Hampel as he is arguing against an inquest into Phoebe's death, his barrister is quoted; "there isn't a basis for that level of satisfaction" that a murder might have taken place. There are so many unanswered questions in this case, wouldn't anyone want closure? To have every possible avenue explored, and finally come to the most logical solution?

'HI FAMILY, I am in bed about to sleep and when I WAKE I will transform into the most incredible human bein you've ever seen! … (not) I will go to hospital. It's safer there and I hear the special tonight is tomato soup … Delicious! Nutritious! I love you all very much but not enough to send an individual text. Sorry about that but time is sleep and I must b on my way … Merrily, merrily, merrily. Life is but a dream. Xo.''

This was a text that was sent to a total of eight of Phoebe's family and friends, on December 1, 2012 at 10:33am. What is strange about this text, is that her phone is said to have been in for repair which Antony had taken in. Also, on the day of her death, there were spots of Phoebe's blood around the apartment she had been sharing with her boyfriend, and signs of an argument- broken glass. This further implies Antony's controlling nature.

Overall, there needs to be an inquest into this death because there is a strong sense of tampered justice at play here.

The evolution of the 'voice of God'.

Starting a cadetship at The Daily Telegraph, an opposing newspaper to the Sydney Sun and Sydney Morning Herald in which his uncle worked, to prove he was not riding the coat tails of his relations, then blossomed into a 53 year career.
Earning himself a Walkley award at the age of 19, that he puts down to 'time and circumstance'. As I'm reading more into Harvey's life, I'm struck by how modest he is about his achievements and yet so grateful.
In ABC's One Plus One, Peter Harvey's last interview, he reminisces about his famous sign off and the impact it has had on people he would never imagine. "Kids, as young as 19, come up to me and ask me to say; "Peter Harvey, Canberra".

Progressing through his life, to his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, he remains hopeful and positive that he will pull through. It's affecting of the human spirit, to watch the above video, and listen to Peter Harvey's reflections on life and his optimism for his future. The watcher is forced to reflect on their own life, to question what is really important to them.
Have you ever achieved anything so powerful as Harvey managed to achieve? I am terribly inspired to achieve something, anything!

The Obligatory Oscars' Opus

As the millions of articles and sassy quips about the Oscars pour in from every Tom, Dick and Perez with a keyboard and a basic internet connection, I add my own.

The general consensus for Oscar attire is- thumbs down. Jennifer Aniston bored everyone to tears in her brilliant orange floor length gown by Valentino, and god forbid Anne Hathaway dresses in a modest Prada frock.

Actually, her dress isn't in the limelight, her nipples are. If I have to see another parody account about another current affair, my eyes may just roll out of my head. Did someone say that sarcasm was the lowest form of wit, because I think that needs to be updated to the 21st century.
Kristen Stewart and Jennifer Lawrence exchange a quick pitying look to one another- stuck in a forever typecast Hollywood for them. Unless they can pull a Johnny Depp-like transition and get the hell out of their 21 Jump Street. (Jennifer has those long, strong legs aka her natural wit and charm- however Kristen won't have a chance with those crutches/ monotonous acting abilities)

As social media, tumblr & twitter, rage on about who should have won in their redneck opinion, we need to pause and reflect on the real cause here. How many magazines are going to be sold based on who was trashed for wearing the irreparable non-complimentary shoe.
The only real saving point for this whole big Hollywood marketing ploy is Joseph Gordon Levitt, and his adorable twitter updates.





The Gist

My aim is to write all the information I wish someone had told me. Particularly relating to the beauty industry.
I wish someone had educated me on the marketing ploys they use for mascara. I wish someone had told me oil based primers don't sit under silicone based foundation- not a good look when you're sitting in a job interview. I wish someone had pulled me up and said "Hey, go easy on that eyeliner".
In this blog, I want to focus on educating you, and learning a few things on the way myself. I want to expose the beauty world, and show you how to use it to your advantage.
This is Bamboozled Beauty.