Thursday, November 12, 2009

Beauty Addiction: Has It Gone Too Far?

Yes, I admit it. I am a beauty junkie. I don't buy expensive clothes, bags or shoes, but I do spend a lot on makeup and skincare.

I recently stumbled across an issue of a magazine targeted for tweeners (ages 10-12) up to the age of seventeen. I used to read this magazine when during my elementary days up to my early high school days. And now, years later, I browsed through it and I was surprised to find that they are featuring products from Make Up for Ever and Kerastase. As we now, these products are around P1200 to more than P2000. It's highly unlikely that their target audience can afford these things on their own. Unless, these teen magazines have shifted their demographic to the children of elite families OR early teenagers are that vain already that they will pester their parents or save up their tiny allowance to be able to buy products like these.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm a vain person (hence, this beauty blog) but I couldn't even buy my own Make Up for Ever foundation until after I graduated from college, even though I came from a family with means. And to think I've been working part-time already since I was in first year college. Surely these kids don't have their own means too and rely on their parents. Could it be that society today is pushing young girls to be obsessed with looking good? And if they're willing to spend that much at such a young age, what will they be pining for by the time their 20? Cosmetic surgery, perhaps?

Has beauty addiction gone too far? What are your thoughts? I'd love to hear them.

14 comments:

Unknown said...

True some magazines are selling teens expensive products even if it is not in their target market's reach. It is a question in my mind how teens with small allowance could have the means to buy expensive products.

I used to want expensive stuffs because it was featured in magazines when I was younger but then as I mature I realize it doesn't have to be that way, well, because I don't have the means and I don't have to push it.

Tara Cabullo said...

I agree. Advertising has always capitalized on 'creating a need' thus even tweens, who have absolutely no use for makeup and skincare [most of all MUFE], are now being enthused to use such.

Ack, the perils of the new consumers!

Great post :)

AskMeWhats said...

I think they feature those items because these companies have advertised in their magazines..I could be wrong, but you're right, i'm starting to see more expensive makeup on magazines even those for the teeners! During "my" days..lol I sounded so old, I don't see these expensive stuffs on magazines for my age!

Crystal said...

chelle, i'm glad na you realized that doesn't really have to be that way.

teeyah, what worries me pa naman is that these teens are very impressionable.

Crystal said...

chelle, i'm glad na you realized that doesn't really have to be that way.

teeyah, what worries me pa naman is that these teens are very impressionable.

Crystal said...

nikki, you're right. these things weren't advertised before. i remember seeing a MAC lipglass when i was reading these mags before and i thought to myself that P600 was expensive already :P

September said...

I agree with what you just said. Sometimes, advertising goes way overboard, and getting hooked into expensive makeup at a very young age spells trouble for an individual as she grows older.

I like this blog entry, btw. =)

Crystal said...

september, i'm glad you like this post. you're right gurl. getting hooked on expensive makeup at such a young age can't be good.

herroyalbleakness said...

de Saint-Exupery's 'What is essential is invisible to the eye' holds true all the more these days.

know what, i think i might've died without learning makeup had i not been sucked into this era's media na if you're pretty, you rock; na if you use expensive stuff, you're in.

it saddens me na bumababaw ang interes ng kabataan these days.

Crystal said...

i know right? it's ok naman to be vain just as long as it's balanced and that's not all you care about.

herroyalbleakness said...

Exactly, Crystal... exactly.

Crystal said...

korek ka jan dear :) i'm glad na this post actually stirred up some comments like this.

Crystal Gale said...

Great post! I agree, before when I was reading magazines for high schoolers and college students, puro drugstore brands lang ang feature..and I was already thinking they are expensive! But I do know some who uses expensive products even though they are still young..it is so sad..I agree 100%...

Crystal said...

gale, i know right? i found drugstore brands expensive before. what more pa high end stuff?

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