EYE OF THE BEHOLDER: MAYBELLINE THROUGH A STRUCTURALIST LENS

Hey everybody! In this post I'm going to be examining a company that you may be familiar with, Maybelline. Though this website was born as a "beauty and fashion" blog if you will, I'm sure it has become quite apparent that is not the case any longer. (Totally not to say that I don't enjoy makeup or writing about it...but that's not my point here.) In Crit Theory today we were discussing language and the relationship between ideas/objects and the words that we use to signify them. So, my friend and I decided to take a look at the makeup brand Maybelline in order to observe this phenomenon.  

Diachronically speaking, Maybelline represents the “ideal” woman in American culture: one that is seen and not heard. In other words, she is revered for her physical appearance and not for her personal beliefs or opinions. Although their ads have changed over time in terms of appearance and marketing techniques (i.e. slogans and color schemes), the message has remained static: women are made into meaningful individuals by making themselves up with Maybelline products. In Maybelline ads from the early 1900’s, the message is blatant and woven expertly into the descriptions of the ads. However, in more recent advertisements the sexism is implied in the language rather than said outright.

When you look at this specific ad from Maybelline in a synchronic sense, you get the idea that everything women are doing is for men, not for themselves. Women are told through this makeup ad that men always want them to be perfect. However, they are only perfect when it comes to their physical appearance; women’s thoughts and ideas are clearly not as revered as much as say, her eyes. Even if the women’s man is away, she should look the way he thought she would when he returned.

 The word “makeup” itself leads one to believe that those who use it are hiding something. Makeup acts as a façade, a mask that covers up the truth, and “the truth” is that women are undesirable without it. Many of the advertisements feature words like “accent” and “perfect” imply that women need to use Maybelline products because their natural beauty is understated, boring, and in need of improvement.

These Maybelline ads speak to the nature of American beauty ideals: women need makeup because they are not pretty without it. Natural beauty is something to be ashamed of, and the façade that makeup provides becomes the “truth”. The language that these ads utilize is persuasive and steeped in sexism, aimed solely at generating revenue and perpetuating stereotypes of women.

 Maybelline’s “target audience” is arguably white, heterosexual upper-middle class women. While this demographic is likely the main consumer of these products, it is important to keep in mind that there are a multitude of individuals (of varying races and ethnic backgrounds) who are consuming but not being represented. The ideas that construct Maybelline as a brand were once stable and static as women were trapped in a singular role by society. However today, as women continue to stand up for themselves and defy social norms, those ideas are outdated and fail to accurately support women as a whole.

until next time,

    

LONDON HAUL: ZARA, PRIMARK, FOREVER 21, SUPERDRUG, BOOTS, SELFRIDGES

Hi everyone! Today I'm (finally) coming to you with my long overdue London haul! I've been wanting to put this post together basically since I bought these things, but I didn't have a decent place to take pictures while I was in England! (no, your boyfriend's flat at university is not ideal for blogging as the lighting is terrible and both of your stuff is strewn everywhere because the room is WAY too small for two human beings to share...in case you were wondering) Mike and I ventured to Oxford Street to do some shopping (i was shopping, mike was a great boyfriend and held my coat and bag while i tried things on) and we hit up Zara, Forever 21, Selfridges, and Bershka (cheaper version of Zara) All of the stores were an absolute zoo, but we braved the crowds and I found some great pieces!

I cannot even begin to tell how you how excited I was to go to Zara! I've heard so much about it and have seen people haul clothes from Zara, but I've never actually been to Zara before! I don't have one anywhere near me so naturally I had to have a look around. They had a sale on but their clothes are still on the pricey side (as i'm sure most of you know) so I stayed on the more casual side with my purchases. The first thing I picked up was this really comfy white graphic tee and I'm so in love!

It has an outline of the London skyline and at the bottom it has some cute phrases like "crazy shopping" and "never ending coffee" (sounds like shopping on oxford street to me...am i right, uk people?) I got a small at first, but after I tried it on I decided on a medium because I wanted it to be more loose fitting.

The second piece I got from Zara is this basic white flowy top. Okay, at first I thought the cut on this was standard, but the more I wore it I started to realize that it is asymmetrical, which is really unique! It is shorter at the bottom on one side than the other (as you can see in the picture) which makes this basic top different from anything else I have in my wardrobe. I bought this to wear with leggings (which i have already done on multiple occasions because leggings are my fashion obsession...no shame) but I plan on styling it with jeans as well!

Mike and I went into Bershka next, which I had never heard of but I quickly fell in love with these leggings and I had to have them!

Actually, I would say these are more like trousers than leggings because they are quite thick. I said to the girl at the till that they reminded me quite a bit of the riding pants-style leggings from Zara, and she told me that Bershka is owned by the same company as Zara! So, it made sense that the two leggings are so similar...but these ones were much cheaper than the Zara ones ;) I bought them in black and olive green and I see myself getting a lot of wear out of them! I'm going to call them my fancy leggings from now on...!

Forever 21 time! I went in with a mission: to find a dress for New Year's Eve. I had this idea in my mind that I was going to find the perfect sparkly dress...and that didn't happen. But I did find this hunter green skater dress which I love! Probably a better buy anyways, I'll get much more wear out of this than a sequined number. It doesn't look like anything spectacular on the hanger, but let me tell you it flatters my figure like no other!

Believe it or not, Mike actually picked out this crop top for me! At the moment it seemed like a strange purchase (it is really cold at home right now) but as I'm packing for Florida now it seems pretty much perfect! And, it's Minnie Mouse colors so perfect for Disney World! Mike did a good job :')

Primark...oh Primark, how I've missed you. A couple days before I left (while Mike was at college...hey, i had to occupy myself somehow!) I went shopping in Winchester and of course I had to take a trip to Primark! This shirt has a little story behind it...A couple months ago I was perusing the Shop Jeen website (everything on that website is perfection and i want it all) and I saw a shirt...or was it a skirt? Anyways, it was a clothing piece with basically the same print on it and I wanted it so badly! But it was pretty pricey, so I decided against buying it. So, when I walked into Primark and I saw this shirt, I couldn't resist!

I'm a tad bit obsessed with emojiis so naturally I had to have it. *insert sassy girl emojii here*

I also got a new wallet at Primark! I've been desperately needing a new one for a while and I waited until I went to Primark to get one because they are cute and inexpensive! This one was only five pounds, and it's adorable!

still have pounds and such that i didn't spend...oh well, i'll save them for next time ;)

And of course, I had to pick up a few beauty items when I was in England! Mike and I went into Selfridge's because I wanted to see what was in there and we ended up at the MAC counter. I've been wanting the Nightmoth lip pencil for ages, so per Mike's suggestion I decided to treat myself and get it! I haven't actually worn it yet, but here is a swatch for you!

nightmoth is a purple color, almost black! comment down below if you want a picture of it on and i'll put it on twitter!

I went into the Superdrug in Winchester on a hunt for Makeup Revolution products and thankfully they had them in the shop! I only ended up getting one item, The Matte Effect Foundation, per my friend Stephanie's request. The selection was not as great as I would have hoped, which is why I didn't buy more! I've tried out the foundation a few times and I really like it :)

My mission in Boots was to find a new moisturizer (i'm running low on my first aid beauty ultra repair cream) and some makeup remover wipes, and I gravitated towards the Soap and Glory display for both of these items! In the United States, Soap and Glory are not the kind of brand that you can find in the drugstore (sadly) However, Boots has basically any Soap and Glory product you could ever want so whenever I go there I tend to buy their products simply because I don't see them as often at home! I tried their Off Your Face makeup remover wipes when I was in England the first time, so I repurchased of course. They smell like heaven and they make my skin look nice and refreshed. I've never tried a moisturizer from Soap and Glory before, but I decided on The Fab Pore Daily Micro Smoothing Lotion and so far I'm loving it!

Wow, that was a long post but I hope you enjoyed! If you love hauls as much as I do, I'm sure you didn't mind ;)

https://twitter.com/essentiallyshan

until next time,

BYE, BYE CHAPPED LIPS!

Hi everyone! Okay, so I don't know about you guys, but as soon as the weather starts to turn chilly (which it definitely is in New England now...sad face) my lips take a turn for the worse. Even though I use lip balm on a daily (more than daily really...i'm kind of obsessed) basis, they still manage to end up dry and chapped without fail. But, I found a product this summer (i know, random time to discover a lip scrub) that I've just recently fallen completely in love with!

What is this miraculous product, you ask? It's the Whipped Cherry lip scrub by Bite Beauty and it's smells as good as it sounds! (Every time I use it, I'm very tempted to have a nibble...) As you can see, it comes in this adorable packaging, and a nice glass pot I might add! Despite the fact that you can't really eat it, the lip scrub is 100% natural and contains healthy vitamins! Also, it is paraben/sulfate/phthalate free :) 

As you can probably tell, this scrub is not the most exfoliating of lip scrubs. I would say something like Lush's Ocean Salt is much harsher (although it gets the job done) than this one. At first, I was on the fence about this scrub because I didn't think it was exfoliating enough, but as I've incorporated it into my skincare routine I've definitely noticed a difference! In addition to being a gentle exfoliater, this scrub does an amazing job of moisturizing as well! After I use it, I can't help but touch my lips because they're so soft :)

For me, this product (despite it's hefty $18 price tag) is a chilly-weather essential of mine and is lovely to use! It's delicious scent alone is a reason to buy it ;) Comment below if you've ever used this product or if you'd try it! Also, let me know how you tackle chapped lips! I'll link below to the Sephora website where you can purchase this product if you're interested.

http://www.sephora.com/whipped-cherry-lip-scrub-P303109

until next time,

MY GO-TO QUICKIE MAKEUP LOOK

Hi everyone! I thought today I would share with you the makeup products that I've been using on the days I have class and don't have loads of time to do a full look! Since I'm a commuter (I live at home...ah the beauty of my own bathroom and bed) and I live 30 minutes away from campus, I have to wake up at 6 a.m. (oh the horror!) in order to get to my 8 a.m. class on time! (Thankfully it's yoga, so I'm kind of okay with it) So, here are the products that help me achieve a simple, flawless look when I'm short on time! :)

Step One: BB cream! I've become a huge fan ever since I tried the Revlon Photoready BB Cream. Let me just say that it's been true love ever since ;) I recently purchased the Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream and I am really liking it so far :) I was drawn to the fact that it has salicylic acid in it, as I'm always looking for products that actually help my skin. Usually I just apply this with my fingers, but sometimes I'll use a brush.

Step Two: Concealer! I use Maybelline Instant Age Rewind for Dark Circles under my eyes and the Maybelline Fit Me concealer on blemishes. I've been using both of these for quite a while now! The coverage is perfect for me.

Step Three: Brows! I love a bold brow, and Benefit's Gimme Brow helps me achieve that. It's a tinted brow gel, which darkens them and also keeps them in place! Also, I use a little bit of the shade Mink from my Lorac Pro To-Go palette on a small angled brush to fill in any spots that need a little more color.

Step Four: Eye shadow! This step is occasional though. (i.e. when i have a bit of extra time, so almost never on a school day) But when I do apply eye shadow, my go-to palette is my Lorac Pro To-Go. I'll swipe some Cafe on my lid first, and then Pearl as an inner corner highlight to brighten up eye area! Simple, simple, simple :)

Step Five: Powder! Throughout the school day, my t-zone tends to get oily so this Neutrogena Shine Control Powder is my savior. I just apply it all over my face with a fluffy brush and I'm good to go! I've hit pan on this one, so I bought a new one the other day.

can you tell i love this stuff? ;)

Step Six: Mascara! Even if I don't have time to put on mascara, I will always curl my lashes! It makes my eyes look so much more awake! (which, believe me, i need that early in the morning) My new favorite mascara is the Maybelline Pumped Up Colossal Volume Express, it's the only mascara that I've found (like, ever) that gives me crazy volume and keeps a curl all day long! I'm more and more impressed with it every time I use it :)

the wand is giant!

Step Seven: Blush! I have a few that I love but this Physician's Formula blush is natural and flattering. (Sometimes I'll use the blush in the Lorac palette also!)

Step Eight: Set! I've been using Urban Decay setting sprays for years now, as I always went to their counter to get my makeup done for dances and special occasions! I live by their setting sprays because they always do an amazing job keeping my makeup in place. I'm all for drugstore makeup (i'm kind of a cheapo) but I will always spend the extra money for Urban Decay setting spray! I use the De-Slick kind, which controls oil. It's perfect for school days when I do yoga in the morning and run around all day!

Voila! There you have my go-to products for a simple, fast makeup look! Let me know down below if you've tried any of these products and what your favorite products are for a quickie look! :)

until next time,

MY TOP FIVE FAVORITE BEAUTY/FASHION YOUTUBERS

Hi everyone! Today I want to share with you my top five favorite beauty/fashion gurus on Youtube! I watch a lot of Youtube (probably more than I watch TV) so narrowing down my front runners was difficult but here they are!

Disclaimer: These are in no particular order!

1. grav3yardgirl (aka Bunny)

Although she may not be my most frequently watched guru nowadays, grav3yardgirl was the first person to introduce me to the online world of beauty and fashion. Before I discovered her videos, I was pretty clueless when it came to makeup and style. (Back in the day, I thought wearing colored eyeshadow every day to school was a good idea) I love Bunny's videos because she is genuine and fun to watch! I especially look forward to her styling videos because she has a killer fashion sense and her outfits inspire me to be more daring in my choices.

2. missmeghanmakeup/beautybaby44 (Meghan and Lindsey Hughes)

Okay, hang on a second. Yes, I know Meghan and Lindsey are two different people and that they both have their own channel. However, I grouped them together for two different reasons. A. They are sisters and sometimes they make videos together/are in each other's videos and B. I was having a hard time deciding who my top five were going to be so by grouping them together they only counted as one ;) Every time I check my subscription box and I see a new video from Meghan or Lindsey, I drop everything I'm doing to watch it! Even though Lindsey is 19 and Meghan is 17 (I'm pretty sure...don't quote me on that), they are both mature yet hilarous. The quality of their videos is top-notch and you can tell that they put a lot of effort into their content. I would say Lindsey is more girly, and Meghan's style is closer to street style/boho. I love their haul videos, and their monthly favorites are something I always look forward to. I truly value their opinions about products (as proven by a large number of products in my makeup/skincare selection that i purchased as a result of their positive review!) and I know I can always count on their videos to introduce me to a new love of some sort :)

3.  arose186 (Arden Rose)

You know those people that you watch on Youtube and you can't help but think to yourself, "We could totally be best friends"? Arden is definitely one of those people for me, which is probably why I like her so much. She is funny, witty, sarcastic, and all around sassy. (The similarities between us are growing as I write this...) Although she makes "typical" beauty videos (tutorials, hauls, unboxings, favorites), she also puts up some really funny collab videos and recently has posted some thought-provoking ones (namely one called Why Women Wear Makeup). Her personal style is reminiscent of old Hollywood and she reminds me of Lana Del Rey!

4. meghanrosette (Meghan Rienks)

Once again, Meghan (yes, another Meghan!) is one of those people that I would love to be friends with. I find myself laughing out loud most of the time when I watch her videos, she's that funny! She is an aspiring actress and it's evident that she's very comfortable in front of the camera :) Like Bunny, her personality shines through in everything she does and it makes her videos unique and entertaining!

5. macbarbie07 (Bethany Mota)

First of all, let me just say how proud I am of this girl!!! I started watching her videos about 2 years ago before she was super well known (before Dancing With the Stars, that is) and she has come so far! She was just announced as part of the new Dancing With the Stars cast (insane...like what) and she has her own clothing line at Aeropostale! I can't stress enough how much this girl deserves to be where she is today! She is extremely creative (obviously...she has her own clothing line!) and super bubbly. She genuinely cares about her fans (which she calls Motavators, cute right?) and she still finds time to create new content on her channel. She is the epitome of the"girl next door" and is quite relatable :)

So, those are my top five beauty/fashion gurus! Who are your favorite beauty/fashion Youtubers? Leave a comment down below :)

https://www.youtube.com/user/grav3yardgirl

https://www.youtube.com/user/MissMeghanMakeup

https://www.youtube.com/user/beautybaby44

https://www.youtube.com/user/ARose186

https://www.youtube.com/user/meghanrosette

https://www.youtube.com/user/Macbarbie07

until next time,