There are only a few times during the year I have the luxury to go through fashion mags - at the hairdresser and while on vacation. This holiday season I vowed to waste my precious time with a stack of magazines featuring clothes that will never look that good on me, worn by models I'll never look like. I'm okay with that.
I snuggled onto the sofa with the latest Harper's Bazaar, a spicy cabernet keeping me company. Not two minutes into the magazine I'm already noticing a trend. Most of the ads don't feature long willowy 17 year old models - which is a good thing. Instead, some of our most glamourous and talented actresses are shilling perfume, handbags and smoky eyes.
Julia Roberts shows off a stunning complexion for Lancome makeup. She looks beautiful and happy - and clearly airbrushed. No signs of motherhood left on Julia's face.
Eva Langoria wants you to buy Voluminous mascara - her eyelids are weighed down with heavily mascara-ed eyelashes that resemble black widow spiders.
Scarlett Johansson is barely recognizable as she stares into space looking glamourous and stoned wearing Dolce and Gabanna's Holiday Collection.
Drew Barrymore smiles coyly at me, looking perfect in purple smoky eyes from Covergirl. If I tried that look I'd look like a tired drag queen...unless Drew's makeup artist did me.
and my fave...
The elegant Julianna Moore, lying naked on an exotic chaise lounge with some sort of lion cub, wearing nothing but a Bulgari purse, airbrushed to perfection - all her personality and intelligence washed away. Am I jealous or jaded?
Which makes me wonder - do these ads make you want to buy these products? If Drew Barrymore wears purple smoky eyes, will you? Will Lancome makeup wash away your motherhood fatigue, creating a picture perfect complexion?
Last year we asked YMC members if they would buy a product because a celebrity recommended it? The response was overwhelmingly negative. A whopping 88% said celebrity endorsement had no impact on their purchasing decisions.
So what gives? Have your buying habits changed over the last year? Or are these huge companies wasting their marketing dollars?
Have you given thought as to what makes you buy cosmetics? A handbag? A perfect complexion? What celebrity endorsements do you think are successful?
Speaking of makeup, I'm looking for an awesome black liner. Can you recommend your fave? No celebrity association neccessary!
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