Have you seen this ad?
October 4th 2007 22:15
Dove of Peace and Warpaint.
Apologies for treading on virtual toes, I know this isn't my territory but I'm a Woman...and this affects all of us. If not in actuality then in emotion.
...and I did an Orble search and it hasn't been posted yet.
I got sent this in an email and it blew me away.
Had to show you.
This is...'Onslaught'.
The follow up to Dove's 'Evolution' ad. (posted below)
I'm not sure how I feel. Not about the ad. Watching that...I am left hoping that I did "talk to my daughter in time"...that she wasn't influenced by the calculated images that bombard every female's self esteem.
I feel she is quite balanced in her sense of (physical) self and I also feel that a big part of why she is growing up secure the way she is, is because of how I feel about myself.
I am not susceptible to the 'usual' onslaught that females endure in the supposed name of feminity. I am who I am and I like who I am. Still...there are some days when I think...Elle Macpherson stole my body.
Yes. Those days. Those days when hell hath no fury like a woman PMS-ing...but still, I have been careful to not let hormones get the better of me, about me, in front of her.
At 17, 6' and a woman's size 10, she is an Amazon and in my unbiased, objective opinion, an absolute stunner.
Most females (and hell, from what I've read, most males) do feel subjected to physical appearance pressure at some time or the other...but...I know or know of, so many women...girls who do feel pressured by this (supposed) quest for "perfection" all the time.
By so many, I mean...one too many. For just one woman to feel this...is a crime against humanity.
Don't get me wrong...I do believe physical appearance is important to self esteem but to each their own. I'm also not the type to feel envy when I see a model. I love models! I love beautiful women and men but beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. And the beholder should be looking in the mirror and liking what they see regardless of shape and size.
Going back to not sure how I feel...I mean about Dove, the brand, doing this. A little bit of research shows a lot of hypocrisy.
Dove is owned by Unilever...a company that markets its other brands using the same methods lambasted by the Dove ads.
Lux, Rexona, Sunsilk, Lynx, Pears...use these products and you too can be beautiful, perfect, sexy and youthful.
These products may seem 'innocent' but think of the ads that come to mind when you read the product names. They all, in very clever and often subliminal ways, conform to a stereotype. Except 'Lynx'. These ads make no bones about it. One spray and from dud to stud you go.
So is this just another marketing campaign? Are we going to feel empowered by these ads to carpe di-embellishment and throw it away?...and then go and buy an anti ageing Dove product?
Are we really that brainwashed that we think of the beauty industry in terms of either evil or necessary? Do we really have to decide between 2 extremes? Why can't I have my lipstick and eat it too?...which apparently we do... Why can't I write these posts up at a 'normal' time when I can put forth my point in a succinct, intelligible manner? (1:30am predated to 8:15am)
Why does the beauty industry try to put me off the beauty industry by trying to sell me the notion that I can't be a feminist and feminine and frivolous too?
This is ' Evolution'
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Comment by Harry
World Art
Sydney Diary
Personals
Video Games
Brisbane Diarystar
Films Found
Zoo Parent
Having said that I think it's a good thing that these feelings exist in society for them to take advantage of. I think neither extreme is absolutely right. Everyone has a right to look and feel good, just don't invest too much of your personal ego in it otherwise (for the majority) you will end up feeling bad about yourself.
I think you often need a backlash against an extreme position now and again to help regain some sense of balance.
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
hmmmmmm I must admit I`m not really much of a girlie girl so I don`t really pay attention to these things. I have found what works for me and have my own style, which is VERY far from fashionable.
Then i look at my sister who is the total opposite. She will try all the fads and beauty products she can get her hands on.
I suppose it`s just being comfortable with who you are and not worrying about what other people think.
I didn`t realise that Dove was owned by Unilever - from that point of view I reckon they have just done their research really well and found a niche market - kinda like McDonalds trying to do the whole 'health food' thing. At the end of the day they are making money so they really don`t care about self-esteem.
To those girls who don`t know the ins and outs of it all then it is a good message that they are sending, even if it is just another marketing campaign.
Hope you are well.
In case you forgot IT~S FRIDAY
hugs
Ash
Comment by Lara M
Love Speaks
I think Unilever/Dove (their ad agency) has created a clever little marketing
ploystrategy...playing at the female's emotions. I don't think it's trying to put females off the beauty industry - i don't think that'll ever happen anyway...- but i do think it's trying to create a bigger Dove camp. With all the *rage* around being natural, using/eating organic...it's jumping on to that bandwagon that's in the hearts and minds of many... As u said...all rather subliminal...Comment by Louie
Climate Forum
Climate Red
randomthoughts
Phil's Wellness Tips
bad bad Louie
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Fabulous post! I think that Dove have a team of extremely clever marketers on board who have taken advantage of the backlash against the beauty industry. And hey, I figure, good for them. They've figured out a way to make money out of public feeling.
It's funny, we blame magazines and models for our body obsessions. But who edits and writes these magazines?? Usually it's women! Yes, we can blame the number of breast enlargements on mens magazines......but the obsession with skinny....that stuff comes straight from womens magazines. We're our own worst enemies.
You're right in that physical appearance does affect your self esteem. But physical appearance alone isn't enough. The most beautiful people you'll ever meet are the ones that are confident about themselves.
And your daughter sounds like a stunner!!
Hope you're doing well
Kylie
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
That is absolutely true. As is this...
Like a see-saw.
I too can't help but be a little cynical about all this... after all Dove still wants their 'beauty' products sold. Are people going to stop buying shampos, soaps, cleansers, moisturisers, etc because they're deemed 'evil' by the very people who make them?
...give us some credit please. After all...the buck stops with us. Literally.
Thanks for coming by Harry. Much appreciated. Hope you have a great weekend.
Dusk
Comment by Ahmed
techy.Bytes
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Qwerk
Cinema Three
maybe thats where we are all headed
Comment by Norm
Consumption Malfunction
Equal and Opposite
Arses and Elbows
Footy Power
for a sports fan you sure are on the ball.
Preening himself in the mirror of his comments,
Norm
Comment by Anonymous
Although I've always resented being assumed a moron by the marketing industry, I also realise that it must work because they've been doing this for decades..so I ignore it.
I think girls get their sense of self from their Mum, plain and simple. If a girl's Mum is self-confident and puts outer appearance in the correct perspective (i.e. well below education, kindness to others and the value of experience in importance) no media barrage is going to undo that.
Even Hollywood has plenty of examples of stars who aren't physically perfect or even close; it is the personality that shines through: Katharine Hepburn, Meryl Streep, Humphrey Bogart, Fred Astaire, Mae West...
Comment by Anonymous
Of course you always get those rude nags who assume you're going to be a model or play basketball because of your height..a sweet smile and the reply "No. I do plan to be the world's tallest (doctor, pilot, teacher, etc.) though."
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
I think we all agree that although a good point it still is a marketing campaign.
Ash, Lara, Louie and KW...thank you. For your comments and just for being the way you all are.
giNORMous...always good to see you.
Ahmed...always interesting to see your name pop up in a comment notification. My first thought is alway "what now?"...so thanks for keeping it rile free!
D...always great to see you you sassy woman you!
Thank you for your, as always, clear perspective.
Thank you Beautiful People.
I hope you are all having a great weekend. I am about to play a huge match so am psyching myself up.
Yes that does include copious amounts of pistachios and Coronas!
Dusk
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
This post is excellent. I spent years in the "fashion and beauty" industry. I have such strong feelings about the damage these messages are for females. Many female clients sit in my office weekly with body image and self esteem issues due to negative messages sent by society much less the beauty industry. Looks fade but confidence doesn't. I had better stop here.
Adoration to you and your daughter!
Mis
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
A very interesting post.
Just recently I was offered a part-time job to write up the hype for a ‘natural’ face peeling product, world-wide. I turned the job down because I just couldn’t put my words behind a product that says one thing and is actually doing other things instead – supporting the planet (ra ra!) ...and of course all the ‘natural beauty’ that goes with Miss Earth …yadda yadda.
Needless to say, I like they way Dove is exposing the ‘process’ in both film clips (1) on how we become addicted/brainwashed and (2) how fake it all really is (smoke and mirrors). Forewarned is forearmed I always say.
Personally, I think it’s time that young women were alerted to the truth, that those looks are not real and I took this as Dove saying that, but hey, be sensible use a sun screen (fair enough) ... but for total sincerity?
If only Dove was promoting avocado’s instead of a lot of names I still can’t pronounce.
*laughs* I’ve never been billboard perfect either, and I think that has always made me more interesting, anyway… never had complaints. However, after 50 the body is another story - even Elle's - no matter who you are and how much air brushing you do… not that I’m there yet, but at 40 (plus) I have no illusions as to the ride ‘down the hill’ and what it entails. I feel the sorriest for the vain ones who have been airbrushed, often… that ride would seem like the roller coaster from hell.
Great post Dusk, I think you are most articulate at 1am, btw.
Lilla …
PS I am told that when 70 year-olds jump into bed together for the first time, it is just like being 16 again, regardless of the fact that both of the parties involved, p[robably need ironing *giggle*
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
doubt me? I refer you to the tobacco industry for a start....and anyone for a nice synthetic sugar substitue??? (one of those "sugars" is actually banned in the States, but still legal in Oz!!)
governments didn't expose them, citizens did by suing, thanks to whistle blowers.
a study has shown the products we put on our hair, usually every day, shampoo etc, does indeed get absorbed into the skin, and does have a deleterious affect on humans, in many various ways...it is subtle, but over time it does cause us internal cell damage.
so who cares what they do in selling their products! what is the point?
until we make a stand and demand independant research is carried out, (like it used to be) instead of governments allowing the companies to 'research' their own products as to their safety and efficacy, in order to save the public purse from extra expenditure (that was a clever marketing ploy on the companies' behalf), then we deserve what we get!
and what do we get? have you not wondered why we see the increase of cancer, neurological diseases.....
fog