So, who's ready to give up on makeup ?

[BananaRepublic]

Your assumption is that no one else thinks about it and you have to "educate" us. (And by "us" I mean women. You are directing this effort at women.) You think that if someone is thinking about it, they wouldn't wear make-up, so if we are wearing it, we must therefore not be thinking.

This is a flawed conclusion.

Not in particular. I didn't assume anything.
I mostly used the word 'people' in my arguments, as there are a lot of men that use makeup too. So you could aswel assume it was not against women.
Only in 2 cases I see I wrote 'women'... but not as an assumption for generalisation:
In one argument, the focus relied on men. In the other, I broke a lance for women... But oh, that's not good no. Sorry for that.

I've never worn makeup (as far as I can remember anyway - I guess it's possible I played with my mums when a young kid) but I leave my family to decide for them selves if they wish to.

Which argument suits you the most to spice up a discussion about cosmetics?

【*】”The vicious circle: a lot of skin problems are caused by cosmetics”. The industry makes you think you need it to get it cured. So you buy more rubbish to rub on and it will get worse and worse!!

【*】“Cosmetics have harmful effects on the environment.” Go read about chemicals that pollute agricultural soil and threaten fish in our oceans. I thought people nowadays care about their food and planet?

【*】”A lot cosmetics contain toxic ingredients”. They’re linked to a lot of diseases like cancer, hormonal disruption,... don’t let you misinform by articles posted by the industries lobby groups.

【*】”Never let publicity make you feel good with marketing buzzwords to cover chemical substances like ‘organic/natural/biologic’, ‘fragrance free’, ‘hypoallergenic’, ‘paraben free’ or ‘phthalate free’. You’re better off when you do not use cosmetics at all.

【*】”Where are the feminists here?” Are you ok with wrong world images where men ARE accepted not to use makeup to cover uneven skin tones, and women are NOT? You can look good without, whether you're a man/woman.

【*】”You don’t need a mask or a filter.” Show yourself because you’re worth it. I don’t like to talk to people wearing a mask. If you really care about yourself, they should take you for what you are, and not for the mask you wear.

【*】”They’re just bad” They make you consume more and more, make them rich, make the planet worse and leave you in the illusion with a wrong self-image. Stop the waste!


So tell me, how about your usage and opinions?

In Europe there is a general rule that materials containing significant amounts of toxic ingredients are not allowed to be sold to the general public. Petrol/Gasoline actually has a special dispensation from this rule!
With todays analytical techniques trace levels of such compounds can be found in most samples (including natural foods/air/water), the level set as significant is based on the risk to users. There may be ingredients that are harmful in other ways, but toxic has specific meanings that you are miss using. My work includes testing of air/water for toxins/chemical pollutants (not in the cosmetics industry).

There have been cosmetics that I've used on medical advise, that have significant improved issues like dry skin, some will also protect against environmental issues such as UV.

In general I think subtly applied makeup can improve the looks of people considerably, paste it on thick & it always looks awful. I'm happy enough with how I look not to make the effort, and don't have issues with women who would rather not bother either.

I'm definitely not a feminist as this is too often a case of sexism. The only places that gender should have any significant relevance is childbirth & sex!

Check out senseadyne toothpaste, contains Titanium doxide. Also sunscreens labeled as nanotechnology

 

[Dikkie]

Its not cynicism its just the reality.

Reality, alas...

That's the way I thought when I was younger too... but since I've got kids, I must think about their future, a future for next generations on this planet, and keep having 'hope', ... utopia doesn't exist, but we're not going anywhere by just ignoring everything.
All small steps can help, and if 7 billion people do one small step each day...

Oh well...

 

[vintagesnaps]

So read labels and choose products you feel are good for you and your family, good for the enviroment, etc. Why pass along this info. that is unbased (who knows where this came from) and is geared primarily to women? I don't think giving up something for a month means much; it would be better to be more aware with all products.

 

[BananaRepublic]

Its not cynicism its just the reality.

Reality, alas...

That's the way I thought when I was younger too... but since I've got kids, I must think about their future, a future for next generations on this planet, and keep having 'hope', ... utopia doesn't exist, but we're not going anywhere by just ignoring everything.
All small steps can help, and if 7 billion people do one small step each day...

Oh well...

Yes think of the children in the Congo who are forced down mines in search of conflict minerals for our phones

 

[limr]

Its not cynicism its just the reality.

Reality, alas...

That's the way I thought when I was younger too... but since I've got kids, I must think about their future, a future for next generations on this planet, and keep having 'hope', ... utopia doesn't exist, but we're not going anywhere by just ignoring everything.
All small steps can help, and if 7 billion people do one small step each day...

Oh well...

Yes think of the children in the Congo who are forced down mines in search of conflict minerals for our phones

Keep it on topic.

 

[Dikkie]

Keep it on topic.

I think BananaRepublic's post is quite relevant to the discussion.
If you read the arguments in the first post, you'll notice that his points have a lot in common.

The thing is that inviting people for a challenge always lets people bring up excuses first. It's always easier not to go for it and start arguing about why that particular challenge is stupid.
I once started a Social Media free month too... same problem:
[october] Social Media Free Month

That wasn't about making people aware of children forced to work in mines for conflict minerals for phones, that time... it was a total different purpose, about addictions and social media. Where people have to reduce their internet usage on their phone and obsessive compulsive behavior.
On different places where I started the idea, people came up with the excuses not to do it, because they claimed not to be addicted, or needed it for work, or that it was too easy not to feel challenged, etc...

 

[limr]

The thing is that inviting people for a challenge always lets people bring up excuses first. It's always easier not to go for it and start arguing about why that particular challenge is stupid.
I once started a Social Media free month too... same problem:
[october] Social Media Free Month

Or people could just disagree with you. You don't get to just call everyone else lazy because they don't like your challenge.

If comments start moving towards political topics, they will be deleted or the thread will be closed.

 

[johngpt]

Wouldn't it be funny if Good Morning America, the Today show, the View and then all the evening news programs decided to go makeup free in February?
I'm imagining all the shiny faces.
And the fashion shoots! What would the stylists do?

Okay, I'm being silly. I know the original poster was thinking more of the regular person.
I have to say I feel very much as Leonore in her first response. Let each person decide for himself/herself what is appropriate, and not be swayed by rampant commercialism or by internet memes.

I'm allergic to many fragrances and use fragrance free hygiene products. Before retirement I would request my patients not wear fragrances (especially hairsprays) to their appointments. Mostly they were understanding. When not or if forgotten, I would wear a mask and gloves while working with them. I'd wear a hospital gown to avoid transference to my clothing.

 

[Dikkie]

Wouldn't it be funny if Good Morning America, the Today show, the View and then all the evening news programs decided to go makeup free in February?
I'm imagining all the shiny faces.
And the fashion shoots! What would the stylists do?

Great idea

At total shutdown in the makeup rooms.

Anyway, I'm already 2 days suffering not wearing makeup now

 

[Sabber]

My girlfriend tries to visit the beautician more often and practically does not use cosmetics, but she uses many creams, masks and other things so that she has an even tone of face.