I found myself mildly irritated by the tongue in cheek cover of my latest Bliss (from our spa to your skin) catalog. 3 super cute cartoon gals in spa gloves and towel wraps are portrayed protesting under the title “fight for your beauty rights”.Much like Barbie, they are portrayed as ethnically diverse in skin color and hair color – yet mysteriously have identical faces and proportions.The white gal is armed with a bullhorn and raising a fist, the others hold placards with such deep thoughts such as “Save Face (and the earth)!, Ban Cellulite, and Give “pores” a chance. Sigh.
As a rabid reader, I was fortunate enough to happen upon sociological and marketing treatises in my younger years.From these I realized how much brainwash us women are all subjected to, to spend all our time and money upon an elusive, synthetic, ridiculous aesthetic ideal.Can you imagine what political power women would hold if the multi-millions conned out of us by the cosmetics and fashion industries were channeled into Political action committees or environmental and social justice campaigns!?
Si Se Puede!
Instead, well educated women are critiqued for their pantsuits and hairdos…and I have caught myself devoting precious time and energy to insipid activities such as grooming minute hairs on my eyebrows, blending eye shadow perfectly, or dousing my head in noxious chemicals. Chalk three up to beauty rights and intellectual wrongs.
Well, let’s take a look at this Bliss catalog.Hmmm. If I go with the recommended daily skin care regimen, I would spend $671.00 on the products alone. (mid-range, NOT their priciest offerings). Approximately $250.00 on make up, $175.00 for the shampoo, conditioner and hair masque, as well as $180 for the curling iron and $169 for the uber hair dryer.So let’s see, that takes us to a total of $1,445.00, with 3 of those item categories requiring replenishments a minimum of 3x a year…which brings it to $4,684 to maintain my beauty rights. All this not including basic body care (shower gels, shave or wax paraphernalia, moisturizers, nail care) to say the least of the more exotic wares (anti cellulite creams, self tanners, fat-reducing sandals and shoes).
You know, for about 5 grand, I could take a luxurious vacation (for two) to Belize, Nicaragua, or Thailand again, and the benefits for my sanity, serenity would be phenomenal.I would learn about other cultures, experience nature, share quality time with P, get exercise, and relax.Trust me, that is the most guaranteed manner in which to relax these frownie lines on my head! Rather than hole up in the bathroom alone with my 5 grand worth of over priced potions “Hope in a Jar” (there is a book titled thus for those interested in the history of the industry).
Yesterday P and I went to the local park for a run around the 2.2. mile lakeside trail.There was the chatter of birds, the sound of water and wind, the feel of heart and lungs working hard, and the presence of my beloved beside me. The sun was warm, skies blue, and there was a mild glee in passing other runners. It was bliss.And it cost no $ at all.
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