Do you guys remember The Story of Stuff? Well, Annie Leonard is back, this time teaming up with the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics to produce her new short film. Check it:
I wrote something up about this over at Green Upgrader, including recipes for making your own cosmetics and more information on how you can take action to get these toxins out of our beauty products.
My favorite thing about that video is the couple of times that she mentions that maybe we don’t need all of this stuff to feel pretty in the first place. Cosmetics companies spend billions of dollars on ad campaigns to make us feel like we’re ugly without lipstick, look tired without eyeliner, and will never find a man if we don’t use their greenwashed brand of shampoo. That’s balderdash!
My favorite quote from Audrey Hepburn quote comes to mind:
For Attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For Beautiful hair, let a child run their fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.
Ladies, we don’t need to slather ourselves in toxins to be pretty. I’m as guilty of falling for this phony standard of beauty as anyone else, and I think just putting that idea out there is so important. What’s beautiful about us comes from our insides. It’s our accomplishments and the way we make the people around us feel.
Hey, so that got a little bit ranty there towards the end. Sorry about that! If you want to learn more about how to keep those toxic chemicals out of our medicine cabinets, you can head over to Green Upgrader for deets!
Becky Striepe
Hi there! My name is Becky Striepe (pronounced “stree-pee,” like “sleepy”), and I am a freelance writer and vegan crafter living in Atlanta, Georgia. My life’s mission is to make green crafting and vegan food accessible to everyone! Check out my new book: 40 Days of Green Smoothies!
6 Responses to The Story of Cosmetics
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Aw, thanks Tracy! I’m always hesitant to get ranty in this space, because I try to keep things positive. Cosmetics and standards of beauty are something that really get me, though.
Great video and great input, Becky! It is always good to be reminded that we are naturally, inherently beautiful. You and Allyson are right that it is hard to remember, those are deeply instilled messages that we are not good enough as is and that we need to cover/color ourselves. Every chance to hear the alternative is a good one, thank you! I like your rant :c)
Yes! I love Annie’s videos–this one is so important too–ick, cosmetics.
Ha! Thanks, Leigh. Apparently, when I rant I also time travel to the 40′s?
Allyon, I know what you mean. Maybe I ought to stencil that over the closet mirror?
Love that quote! Although, I certainly need to call it to mind more often than I do! Can’t wait to watch the film… loved “The Story of Stuff”
Nice post. Also, excellent use of the word “balderdash”!