Despite spending the last few months working for a well-known beauty brand, one thing has managed to rub me the wrong way - the industry's (and society's) response to ageing and perpetual youth. I'll never be able to sum it up as well as this Refinery29 article does, but I thought I'd at least share my own experiences along with the wisdom shared by Gabrielle Korn here.
"But, if older women are treated like the aging process makes them imperfect and younger women are treated like they don't know anything, what age are we supposed to be if we want the respect we deserve? Is there any "right age," or are we just forever jumping through hoops?"
As a baby-faced woman about to turn 25, this deeply resonated with me. I feel on a regular basis that my looks stop people from taking me seriously - I often had to correct colleagues that thought I was still at school. How is that flattering? It implies a lack of life experience; and is something that has constantly undermined my confidence during my working life. Before this article, I never even realised how much this paradox was limiting my growth as a person. I could play up to my youth & miss out on opportunities, or try to look older and be judged for it.
Apparently youth is preferable as most of the beauty products I use have the words 'Anti-Ageing' stamped on them to appease the masses. Even the phrase itself is a myth because it's not like a topical cream can stop time. Doing research on competitors had also exposed me to anti-ageing products with very questionable product names. The worst offender was Lulu's Time Bomb skincare range, which really surprised me as she is 65! At best the names are hilariously bad, but the underlying message is that women must wage war with lines and wrinkles in order to preserve their beauty. Instead of, you know, accepting nature.
With packaging like hand grenades and names like 'Hand to Hand Combat Eye Cream', I genuinely didn't know whether to laugh or cry. My mum recently turned 60 (much to the shock of most acquaintances) and doesn't buy into any anti-ageing campaigns. Washing her face with soap, moisturising with cocoa butter and leading a healthy lifestyle has worked out better than an expensive face cream ever could. I am still a self-confessed skincare junkie but as my stash increases, thoughts have crept in about whether this is completely necessary. After all, I only have one face and I still sometimes get ID'd in bars.
In short, I feel bad supporting an industry that vilifies and shames women on a regular basis. A few brands are bucking the trend by using older women in their campaigns, but a considerable chunk of consumers still feel alienated by the unobtainable goal of staying youthful. When the time comes, I will embrace my wrinkles and my grey hair. It's not letting myself go if I accept the inevitability of time and experience.
Rant over. I will publish a review next to balance this negativity out, I promise :-)
