I think that I have made it pretty clear in the past that I am no girly girl. If I haven’t, I shall now – I don’t wear make-up on the daily, I can’t remember the last time I wore a dress (though that’s also, in part, because I haven’t found any I like post-baby), and if I desire to be taller, I shall wear platforms rather than heels; I loves my feet too much to do otherwise. I try very hard to not be judgmental of those who do, either – we should do what makes us happy. But when it comes to the make-up and the clothing and the posturing, I tend to be very concerned that many women are telling themselves that they’re happy with trying to cram themselves into the too-small mold rather than genuinely happy with themselves.

So, of course, I get very happy when I see news like this pop up:

Airbrushed make-up ads banned for ‘misleading’
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14304802

Now, I’d like to state that I think the ASA do an amazing job. I have written to them in the past with concerns about other advertisements, and they always responded promptly and fully with what they could take from my concerns against the slippery wording that so many of these commercials use to tear at a woman’s self-esteem. In this case, it took the lack of cooperating in providing the ‘before’ pictures from L’Oreal that did the adverts in… which really… why? Anyone can Google those two ladies and see that they are wrinkle farms in the best sort of way. They should be – Julia is in her 40s, as is Christy. It’s natural for your skin to lose elasticity, for pete’s sake – it’s not believable that they are completely lacking smile lines, crow’s feet, and all those little things that show a woman has lived. And, I feel, it’s completely inappropriate when the slap being peddled is anti-aging stuff – I don’t care what you tell me, I won’t believe your tiny jar of chemicals will make me look like my baby’s bottom… and I don’t want to, period.

Now, notice I emphasize me; I’m a stubborn child, and refuse to be led by the nose. I am old enough to realize that is a bit of a gift, and I treasure it for the protection it offers. But I get very cross when I see men callously assume that all women should be as such, should know better. I’m sure most do, sir, but your unreasonable expectations send the ladies diving to fit what the non-stop media parade tells them they should be. So to Jo Swinson, Member of Parliament, I say thank you. Don’t listen to the nay-sayers who tell you that you should go do ‘real’ work, because this is real work. And while it might only be a small dent in the facade that tells us how terrible we are without their products to redeem us, I appreciate it, as so all the other women and men who are willing to stand up for themselves and all people and say that enough of this crap is more than enough.

I think that’s about it for now… a big longer than I meant to go anyways. *chuckles* So it goes… Anyways, have a pleasant day!