A 100% reduction achievement would be to list the products, procedures and services I call Girl Goop below and declare them all out of my life. Not so much.
- nail polish
- hair spray
- foundation
- blush
- tanning booth
- cellulite cream
- false nails
- false lashes
- hairpieces
- hair permanent
- hair dye
- hair rollers
- hair accessories
- nair
- tampax
- ky jelly
- birth control pills
- perfume
- cologne
- bikini wax
- wrinkle cream
- toner
- breast implants
- facials
- estrogen cream
- razor
- lipstick
- lip gloss
- lip liner
- eyeliner
- eye shadow
- mascara
- tweezers
- facial cleanser
- wonder bra
There are some great new sustainable versions of the above ‘required’ items for menstruation like the Diva Cup. Being past that fertile (or interested) stage, I admit ignorance of any recommended birth control. I still can get cranky about the fact that old men can get erectile dysfunction solved, yet there still isn’t safe, effective birth control. Aaaaargh.
Full admission here. . . Even though I am no longer young, many of these products I never used or used infrequently. I often felt more like a drag queen if I tried to get made up for a big event. It just felt like playing house. That is no doubt why I was drawn to the images from Pricilla, Queen of the Desert, Divine and Rocky Horror Picture Show when writing about this.
The Women’s Liberation movement came along at a perfect time in my life. I was being cajoled into thinking I needed all sorts of assistance to ‘be a woman.’ My older (by 18 months) sister and my younger (by two years) sister both seemed to delight in the potions and cosmetics. But I felt put-upon about the girlie stuff that changed every season. As a feminist I found my own voice, my own way of saying no to that push. I have no idea why my sisters and I reacted differently to the advertisers or to the feminist voices. Since those days I have often felt the need for some girlie goop. I am grateful it didn’t happen more often or more expansively.
The frugality of just not buying all these products or services or procedures was a major reason I persuaded myself to avoid it all. I still use lipstick, eye make-up and the occasional ‘product’ to help my hair curl. I even have a bag of curlers I can turn to after letting my hair grow out too many months after another haircut is due. Other than that I just can’t get excited about all the products out there, no matter how sustainable, sensual, inexpensive or honest.
Having said that, I will still say that the Anita Roddick - Queen of Green, Body Shop founder is a hero of mine. She is missed.
Yet, five years ago I hit a really vulnerable patch and I actually started believing I should consider plastic surgery. The high paying job ended and the only good part of that is I got a brisk splash of reality in my nip and tuck daydream. I suspect I would have roused myself, but I can’t be sure. I shudder.
In the above list I own about nine items. Maybe in another post I will mention what they are. Suffice it to say I have achieved a serious carbon reduction for not using or eliminating 26 of them. But, hey I am ravishing without the accoutrements. Hawt! (A nod to the fire element, ahem.)
2 comments:
Hi Kate,
Have you noticed that the plastic surgery commercials and magazine articles are making it seem like just a different version of mascara? Because you're worth it....
Anything that requires anesthesia should not be considered akin to nail polish.
I think I reached a major girlie milestone a month or so ago. I got carded in a restaurant by a little snip of a girl (I could have been her mother) and instead of being flattered I was annoyed. Instead of wanting to appear young I wanted to own my age. I got these wrinkles the hard way, dammit, and they're mine. Of course, now and then, they surprise me.
Great pics!
I just found at my ripe ol age that a good red lipstick can really perk me up. I buy it from the health food store.
Post a Comment