Who Do They Think They’re Kidding? We’re Too Smart to Fall for This!
Most women over 50 know there are numerous positive aspects that come with growing older. I’m an unabashed proponent of piling on the years because each one gifts us with greater self-esteem, new opportunities for growth, and an enhanced desire to celebrate our authentic being—warts, wrinkles and all. That is…unless we’re wasting valuable time mourning our lost youth and fruitlessly trying to turn back the hands of time.
You’d think the so-called marketing experts who hawk their wares in hopes boomers will buy them would finally get it. But too many times they’re waaaay off the mark—they seem to focus solely on the youth mourners. What a waste!
This hit me full force when I was in a doctor’s office, thumbing through the magazines, and waiting to be called in for my check-up. There was an ad by L’Oreal that caught my eye—and not in a good way. Actually I found it appalling. It featured Diane Keaton claiming to feel more comfortable in her own skin now that she’s older.
I’d have gone along with her sentiments if the photo attached actually were Diane Keaton… in her own skin!!!! But there, in all its full-color glory, was an airbrushed rendition of the actress so completely unlike Diane I had to adjust my readers to make certain the photo and the name matched. New eyes, new nose, new smile, no wrinkles—not the Diane I recognized. Moreover, the hand resting jauntily on her chin bore no signs of veins, age spots, or any of the telltale markers that Diane’s darling digits had ever seen the light of day. Now I do know she likes to wear gloves, but come on!
Do the folks at L’Oreal really think we’re gonna fall for this computer-contrived idiocy? Do they really believe we think we’ll get a slimmer nose, reshaped eyes, lifted brows and lids, whitened smile, fuller lips, no neck-lines, and vein-free hands from a jar of cream? Do they figure we’re senile as well as desperate?
If you want to check this out for yourself, compare the L’Oreal photo with images from her 2003 film, Something’s Gotta Give. Or just click the video link at the left of the ad and see Diane—lovely and well-lit to mask any lines—but real.
The afore-mentioned ad raised my hackles so much that this old dog is ready to growl. If you feel as I do, let’s let ‘em know. Let’s boycott products that send such blatantly insulting messages.
We’re over 50, we’ve earned our lines, and we’re way too sophisticated and smart to buy into the offensive, ridiculous and moronic ads the cosmetic companies seem to think we want. And, Diane, if you’ve had major work done… get off the ad campaign and stop misleading us about feeling comfortable in your skin—especially when the photo version of “your skin” is pulled tighter than a snare drum on the 4th of July. Your boomer sisters have followed your career all these years and we expect better from you!
Posts
Loading ...
October 21st, 2011 at 10:34 am
I really agree with your blog but I am sure that they do not think that older will sell. It is the same in many places. I noticed some things the other day when I was at cardio rehab. Not fair at all but how do we change it? Good blog! Awareness is a wonderful thing. We girls will unit. Who do they think really has bought their products but that does not mean that we have to continue. We are more beautiful than ever plus wisdom. Yes, they need to get a grip and stop trying to fool the wise.