The less effective a beauty product or treatment, the more likely women are to keep using it.

That’s what researchers found after interviewing nearly 300 women, ages 27 to 65, who were trying to achieve a more youthful appearance by using creams, vitamins and other beauty treatments. Surprisingly, women were more loyal to products and treatments when they didn’t work than when they did.

The video shows how a woman can be airbrushed + Photoshopped into the impossibly beautiful models that you see in the media.  These kinds of techniques are also done in music videos… if you ever wonder why Fergie looks so different in real life, here’s the explanation (look below the video and click on the beauty reel).

Unfortunately, almost everything in print goes through such retouching.  The images we see in magazine covers and ads are starting to get out of touch with reality as women have no pores, few/no blemishes, and impossibly perfect facial structure!!

Ah… the wrinkle cream.  I’ve seen too many of these products in my day job marketing this stuff and I can tell you that they all pretty much do the same thing.  Nonetheless, the cosmetics companies make money from convicing us otherwise.  They spout pseuodoscience about how their cream uses the latest “nanotechnology” and the alphabetahydroxy-dimethyl-4-B amino-peptides acts as an antioxidant to regenerate your subdermal cells, etc. etc. etc.  Frankly, it’s all BS.  These creams are no more effective than a bottle of your typical Keri lotion.  But, by convincing us that there’s something “special” about these wrinkle creams, the cosmetics companies can charge exorbant prices for practically the same product, which means higher margins and higher profits. 

The marketers have also learned that by putting these creams into smaller jars, consumers see them as premium products that are ‘higher’ quality.  This is why you see bottle sizes go down as price goes up.  Through these marketing tricks, the cosmetics companies have managed to charge you more money for less product.  Go figure!  Don’t be fooled by the scientific-sounding explanations and don’t think the pricier products in pretty little jars are better than the rest.  In the end, there is nothing special about any of these creams.

Botox

It works and it doesn’t.  Yes, it does get rid of wrinkles.  Unfortunately, it works by paralyzing your facial muscles and prevents natural expressions of emotion.  Personally, I find it disturbing when I talk to people who’ve had Botox as I feel like I’m almost talking to a doll.  Botox does work in reducing wrinkles, but personally I’m not a big fan of it.  I’m also a little disturbed by reports of adverse side effects of Botox (see this New York Times article ”Group Seeks New Warning About Botox”).

Facial Pads

Call me a cynic, but I was extremely surprised when I stumbled across a product that actually does work (and without negative side effects like Botox).  Facial pads like Frownies work mechanically by stretching out wrinkles and “unwrinkling” them as you sleep.  While they do work, keep the following points in mind:

• You will look stupid in bed with them.  My husband has seen me in enough facial masks, peels, etc. that he’s ultimately gotten used to this.
• They won’t work if you’re a quitter.  You need to follow the instructions and it takes a few weeks for them to take their full effect.

Unfortunately, most retailers don’t carry Frownies on their store shelves as lower margins and the tacky packaging means that most retailers won’t touch it.  It’s a real shame because this is one of the products on the market that is effective and many women would look years younger by using them.  You can however order Frownies online direct from their website.  Do I recommend them?  I use them every day so I’d say that actions speak louder than words.

Thanks for reading!