AMG asks: Who wants a lipstick inspired by the tanking of our reproductive rights? Plus: A TikTok beauty trend that Lesa already embraced! And can somebody explain "competitive research" to Gwyneth P?
Loved this one! I want to like Sarah Creal because of her product dev cred, but the shade and product names – The Adults Are Talking Lip Repair Balm?! – are such a turn-off. It’s hard to take the luxury positioning and pricing of the brand seriously when it’s diluted with dated Girlbossy messaging. Brand comps like Westman Atelier or VB would never go so hackneyed (to borrow your phrase) with shade names.
Since you’ve gotten to try the products, how are the sunscreen serum and eye cream?
Thanks for reading and commenting!! And so glad you agree! I had to give the sunscreen away as it was too dark for me. The eye cream is nice, I like that it has a tint. But there is always a congealed bit of product left on the dispenser
Yes, thank you for the comments! I liked the eye cream, and its component is so good, but it needs a new pump or something based on what Lesa said. The mascara and concealer were fine — but I found myself thinking that VB does this better.
Noted, thank you both! I’ve been curious about trying those two, in no small part because of the components, so you just saved me some Sephora sale spend :)
The thing is... women who can afford a $50 chic lipstick are more likely to be able to afford to travel elsewhere to get reproductive healthcare. This might have worked if it was an indie brand with more of a grassroots effort. I think women are also tired of the aesthetic labor we've been putting in and still have to put in just to participate in society. This might be a reach but having this brand marketed as an empowering brand feels like it's telling women to put more effort into our looks to what.. get our rights back? Get paid equally? Be treated fairly? I understand that beauty brands try to get consumers to create an emotional connection with their products. The emotions this is evokes are not ones that get me to drop $50 on a lipstick, unfortunately.
I am appalled at my own dimness having reviewed the Sarah Creal line for The Quality Edit and never considered the lipstick names — they were just launching as my piece went live so I never tried them, but you make outstanding points. In my defense I know I'm blinded as of late (as a 55yo) when a brand develops product for women over 50 ... develops truly great product, not just slaps a label on it and says "works for aging skin" as that ship has sailed. To that end, GP needs some new strategists. She can admit there are good "clean" (which lacks a true definition) mascara ON HER SITE, but that she has solved for a different issue. Maybe this applies better, stays on longer, lets you blink less (haha) or whatever.
And huge well wishes to Matthew Sweet — that album was on repeat in my post college era.
I can’t believe a woman thought those lipsticks names were a good idea or in any way necessary. How patronising.
Thanks for reading, Lindsey. I am still confused about it all 😔
Loved this one! I want to like Sarah Creal because of her product dev cred, but the shade and product names – The Adults Are Talking Lip Repair Balm?! – are such a turn-off. It’s hard to take the luxury positioning and pricing of the brand seriously when it’s diluted with dated Girlbossy messaging. Brand comps like Westman Atelier or VB would never go so hackneyed (to borrow your phrase) with shade names.
Since you’ve gotten to try the products, how are the sunscreen serum and eye cream?
Thanks for reading and commenting!! And so glad you agree! I had to give the sunscreen away as it was too dark for me. The eye cream is nice, I like that it has a tint. But there is always a congealed bit of product left on the dispenser
Yes, thank you for the comments! I liked the eye cream, and its component is so good, but it needs a new pump or something based on what Lesa said. The mascara and concealer were fine — but I found myself thinking that VB does this better.
Noted, thank you both! I’ve been curious about trying those two, in no small part because of the components, so you just saved me some Sephora sale spend :)
I didn’t clock that the SPF was tinted. How strange.
“Equal Pay” as a lipstick name but charges $50, yeah okay.
The thing is... women who can afford a $50 chic lipstick are more likely to be able to afford to travel elsewhere to get reproductive healthcare. This might have worked if it was an indie brand with more of a grassroots effort. I think women are also tired of the aesthetic labor we've been putting in and still have to put in just to participate in society. This might be a reach but having this brand marketed as an empowering brand feels like it's telling women to put more effort into our looks to what.. get our rights back? Get paid equally? Be treated fairly? I understand that beauty brands try to get consumers to create an emotional connection with their products. The emotions this is evokes are not ones that get me to drop $50 on a lipstick, unfortunately.
Gloria, such excellent points. “Aesthetic labor,” like pls I am so tired. Thank you for reading and commenting! ❤️
I am appalled at my own dimness having reviewed the Sarah Creal line for The Quality Edit and never considered the lipstick names — they were just launching as my piece went live so I never tried them, but you make outstanding points. In my defense I know I'm blinded as of late (as a 55yo) when a brand develops product for women over 50 ... develops truly great product, not just slaps a label on it and says "works for aging skin" as that ship has sailed. To that end, GP needs some new strategists. She can admit there are good "clean" (which lacks a true definition) mascara ON HER SITE, but that she has solved for a different issue. Maybe this applies better, stays on longer, lets you blink less (haha) or whatever.
And huge well wishes to Matthew Sweet — that album was on repeat in my post college era.
No need to be appalled! Thank you for reading and commenting. And yes, good vibes up for Matthew Sweet 🙏🏼
I shitcanned mascara early on, I have good lashes so I never saw the point.