EWG was sounding the horn yesterday that Revlon is bending under consumer and activist pressure to remove certain yuckiness from its products (but only some). Read EWG's press release here.
It's pretty big news, no? Like, huge global cosmetics brand is finally getting with the times and cleaning up their act...
Except that Revlon doesn't seem to care as much as the rest of us. EWG's press release includes a link to this page -- basically a corporate ingredients directory, which was most likely produced to deflect heat about the toxic goop we're applying to our faces -- in reference to the Revlon's announcement. But there's no actual announcement...
Nothing under Investor Relations, where all of Revlon's corporate-level press releases live. Nothing picked up just yet by any news outlets, Internet or otherwise. So is Revlon even considering this news-worthy?
If actions speak louder than words, the presence of this line from the Revlon Ingredients page says it all:
"Note, that some of these ingredients have been sensationalized by reports in the press or on the internet as having potential safety concerns. "
Sensationalized. As in, you tree-hugger consumer activist folks are blowing things out of proportion. Stop making things up. Stop pretending that your cancer is anyone else's fault besides your own (I actually read some bonehead comment on FB the other day that cancer patients obviously have bad genes. Major face palm).
Here's another reason why I don't get the sense that playing nice with the likes of EWG is a priority for Revlon. It's holiday season. Year-end. Is anyone even doing any actual work at work still? Unless you're Stephen Colbert or the makers of Serial, this is probably the slowest news week of the year. That is, until next week.
So there is no news going anywhere about anything right now. If Revlon gave two hoots about announcing plans to eliminate some toxic ingredients, don't you think they'd do it in a way that maximizes the end benefit to the company?
EWG had to have gotten permission to issue its own release about Revlon, and I'm guessing the only way it happened was for Revlon to dictate the terms. Like, we're not highlighting this ourselves. No quotes or interviews. No nothing about anything. Never happened.
This of course is complete speculation. But a company as big as Revlon does nothing that's not deliberate, carefully thought out. And if this is their PR game, it could use a little pick-me-up.
Yours in health,
Jazzy
Friday, December 19, 2014
Monday, December 8, 2014
Glow in the dark baby
Hey! I had a post all lined up but didn't finish it so here we are...I was feeling a bit of a sellout last week. I had the good fortune of attending a huge conference where, among other things, a big local pharmaceutical company was promoting its work. Come visit the booth and see our shtick and get free museum passes.
I do love free things. It's a diehard habit of growing up in a family that leaned heavily in the have-not direction. Anyway, I did what I was told and went to the booth and listened to the nice promo girl tell me all about the new alcoholic blend beverage this company was making using its very own pigments. Here, shake the bottle and watch the pixie dust swirl around.
Wait, what?
I hit the brakes hard. Pigments? Yes, pigments. Made by our chemicals division. In a beverage. That you drink.
I proceeded to ask what seemed to be the only obvious follow-up questions. What IS this metallic sparkly stuff, and how do I know it's safe? What else do these pigments go into?
I wasn't surprised by the very corporate answer I got in return. It's all tested, in our labs. The pigments go into a lot of things, like nail polish and car paint and all sorts of stuff.
By now I'm backing away slowly, looking around to see if anyone else has noticed how wack this whole thing is. Like, COMPLETELY WACK. This is a pharmaceutical company, serving the life sciences industry, that has as one of its missions to treat infertility. Seriously, opposite this display of toxic glittery winestuff was a photo display about the 'beauty of pregnancy' that every woman deserves to experience. How's that for a co-winky-dink?
I got my free museum passes and hightailed it out of there. And I'm still a little in shock. I mean, it's like the left hand is creating the very problem the right hand is out to solve.
Money talks in this world. That's the only clear point in a scenario where a life-sciences company is putting out products containing very probably toxic ingredients.
I know it's the holidays, but please, whatever you drink this season, DON'T DRINK THE GLITTER.
Yours,
Jazzy
I do love free things. It's a diehard habit of growing up in a family that leaned heavily in the have-not direction. Anyway, I did what I was told and went to the booth and listened to the nice promo girl tell me all about the new alcoholic blend beverage this company was making using its very own pigments. Here, shake the bottle and watch the pixie dust swirl around.
Wait, what?
I hit the brakes hard. Pigments? Yes, pigments. Made by our chemicals division. In a beverage. That you drink.
I proceeded to ask what seemed to be the only obvious follow-up questions. What IS this metallic sparkly stuff, and how do I know it's safe? What else do these pigments go into?
I wasn't surprised by the very corporate answer I got in return. It's all tested, in our labs. The pigments go into a lot of things, like nail polish and car paint and all sorts of stuff.
By now I'm backing away slowly, looking around to see if anyone else has noticed how wack this whole thing is. Like, COMPLETELY WACK. This is a pharmaceutical company, serving the life sciences industry, that has as one of its missions to treat infertility. Seriously, opposite this display of toxic glittery winestuff was a photo display about the 'beauty of pregnancy' that every woman deserves to experience. How's that for a co-winky-dink?
I got my free museum passes and hightailed it out of there. And I'm still a little in shock. I mean, it's like the left hand is creating the very problem the right hand is out to solve.
Money talks in this world. That's the only clear point in a scenario where a life-sciences company is putting out products containing very probably toxic ingredients.
I know it's the holidays, but please, whatever you drink this season, DON'T DRINK THE GLITTER.
Yours,
Jazzy
Monday, December 1, 2014
The other side
How was your Thanksgiving? I'm still putting my house back together, with generous breaks here and there to savor the last of the amazing chocolate pecan something-who-the-hell-cares-what-its-called-just-give-it-here-so-I-can-inhale-it that my sister-in-law made.
For some of you, it's Shave Day. All that sh*t that's been growing on your faces (maybe your legs? stranger things have happened) for all of November, it came off today. So in honor of all your hairiness, I'm reviewing the Alba Botanica Shave Cream that I mentioned in a post about this time last month. Seems right.
Product reviews are by far the favorite thing here, which is great. I love trying new things and I love telling folks how it is.
Happy Monday,
Jazzy
For some of you, it's Shave Day. All that sh*t that's been growing on your faces (maybe your legs? stranger things have happened) for all of November, it came off today. So in honor of all your hairiness, I'm reviewing the Alba Botanica Shave Cream that I mentioned in a post about this time last month. Seems right.
Product reviews are by far the favorite thing here, which is great. I love trying new things and I love telling folks how it is.
Happy Monday,
Jazzy
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Lovin' your oven
It's Thanksgiving crunch time. Who's with me? Come on, don't deny that you're running by a schedule of what needs to happen when, days and hours leading up to the big meal. If you're hosting, at some point or another your oven is going to need cleaning. Maybe you do it before the holiday so that each basting of the bird doesn't come with a fresh dose of embarrassment. Maybe you do it after the holiday to clean away the memory of that exploded pie or the awful glue that we once called green bean casserole.
Whenever you clean your oven, here's a great, chemical-free way to do it. Sure, a lot of ovens have that self-clean feature that basically chars all that sh*t away, but if you're not into babysitting a 700-degree range for 6 hours, this is for you.
It comes from Cha Ching Queen. GREAT name. I don't know where she got the idea, but it's killer. Very Hints from Heloise. My mother had a copy of that book and it was like a Bible for housework. Basically it goes like this:
-- Mix some vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
-- Spray down your funky oven
-- Throw in some baking soda. Toss to coat, as they say.
-- Spray down the whole thing again
-- Listen for the hiss, close the oven door, and gorge on BuzzFeed lists of cute animals while the acid-base reaction of the vinegar and baking soda do all the work.
Are you trying this? You totally should. But even if you don't, take a minute to think about how you do clean your oven. Maybe stop using those cans of toxic, corrosive cleaner, yah? Do it for Heloise.
Best,
Jazzy
Whenever you clean your oven, here's a great, chemical-free way to do it. Sure, a lot of ovens have that self-clean feature that basically chars all that sh*t away, but if you're not into babysitting a 700-degree range for 6 hours, this is for you.
It comes from Cha Ching Queen. GREAT name. I don't know where she got the idea, but it's killer. Very Hints from Heloise. My mother had a copy of that book and it was like a Bible for housework. Basically it goes like this:
-- Mix some vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
-- Spray down your funky oven
-- Throw in some baking soda. Toss to coat, as they say.
-- Spray down the whole thing again
-- Listen for the hiss, close the oven door, and gorge on BuzzFeed lists of cute animals while the acid-base reaction of the vinegar and baking soda do all the work.
Are you trying this? You totally should. But even if you don't, take a minute to think about how you do clean your oven. Maybe stop using those cans of toxic, corrosive cleaner, yah? Do it for Heloise.
Best,
Jazzy
Monday, November 24, 2014
Phthalates have met their match!
Do you follow TED? There was a link in my FB feed last week about these two brilliant teenagers who in 2013 presented on bacteria that can break down plastics! Amazing. Watch here.
My favorite comment on the video is someone who wrote, "where are the trumpets?" Seriously, these girls deserve a LOT of attention for their findings and for the notion that we have the intelligence to put people into outer space, breed wolves into thousands of different versions of a different species, and see through sh*t with x-rays and ultrasound and infrared. But we can't figure out the plastic problem?
Poised and informed, these ladies could probably take their solution pretty far, reducing waste and even applying their science to recycling processes. Who else wants them to save the world? Who's supporting their work (besides their parents)? Isn't in time to stop whining about the damage we're doing to this planet -- and by extension, ourselves -- and take some real action?
In the meantime, phthalates can suck it.
Yours,
Jazzy
Monday, November 10, 2014
Mustache you a question...
Hey there! It's been a while. But things keep on keepin' on, don't they? It's mustache month, where we kick off a long winter by watching our friends and loved ones of the hairier gender grow some serious 'staches to raise awareness (and sometimes some money too!) for prostate cancer. So it's a natural that we'd take a look at shaving products.
Over at EWG's Skin Deep database, the results aren't surprising. The drugstore brands (Gillette, Skintimate, etc) score pretty poorly, as do products from greener brands such as Kiss My Face and Alba Botanica. The products with better scores are pretty obscure or high-end brands. I recently picked up a tube of the unscented Alba Botanica Very Emollient Cream Shave at Whole Foods, to the tune of $6.99, and the best I can do is a '3' from Skin Deep. Better than the 7s that Gillette's shave products are getting, but at more than three times the price!
GoodGuide has a lot of love for Dr. Bronner's Organic Shaving Gel, giving the top 5 spots in the category ranking to different versions of that product. It's worth comparing how the two databases rank products because they don't rank ingredients in the same ways. The Kiss My Face Moisture Shave is a good example; EWG doesn't like the retinyl acetate but GoodGuide lists it simply as 'vitamin A' with a low health concern. Which is it, folks?
So when your man is ready to shave off the dead animal on his upper lip, don't let him use something harsh and toxic on his skin. Hit up the databases, do your homework, and find a shaving cream that doesn't cause the cancer we're trying to avoid.
Hairlessly yours,
Jazzy
Over at EWG's Skin Deep database, the results aren't surprising. The drugstore brands (Gillette, Skintimate, etc) score pretty poorly, as do products from greener brands such as Kiss My Face and Alba Botanica. The products with better scores are pretty obscure or high-end brands. I recently picked up a tube of the unscented Alba Botanica Very Emollient Cream Shave at Whole Foods, to the tune of $6.99, and the best I can do is a '3' from Skin Deep. Better than the 7s that Gillette's shave products are getting, but at more than three times the price!
GoodGuide has a lot of love for Dr. Bronner's Organic Shaving Gel, giving the top 5 spots in the category ranking to different versions of that product. It's worth comparing how the two databases rank products because they don't rank ingredients in the same ways. The Kiss My Face Moisture Shave is a good example; EWG doesn't like the retinyl acetate but GoodGuide lists it simply as 'vitamin A' with a low health concern. Which is it, folks?
So when your man is ready to shave off the dead animal on his upper lip, don't let him use something harsh and toxic on his skin. Hit up the databases, do your homework, and find a shaving cream that doesn't cause the cancer we're trying to avoid.
Hairlessly yours,
Jazzy
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Live chat with Beautycounter
Happy belated Indigenous Peoples Day!
I was on the fence about promoting this live FB chat that the Breast Cancer Fund is hosting with cosmetic company Beautycounter today at 1:00 pm EST. I think you can find it here. Not only am I not the end-all be-all expert on trusted sources for information, but it was a completely new company to me. Serious stranger danger.
But then I decided that there really aren't all that many opportunities for an open dialogue about toxic chemicals in consumer products. I think we can realistically expect a hard sell by Beautycounter, the heavy push to buy their products. But I also think we can gain something as consumers not to just listen but to have the chance to speak.
By that I mean speaking up about our concerns about chemical exposure in the products we use. Speaking out against manufacturers and retailers who put profit, and not their customers, first. After all, change doesn't occur in a vacuum of silence and complacence.
Beautycounter benefits greatly from their partnership with EWG and the Breast Cancer Fund. Street cred, if you will. I want to dig in a little and see what they're about. I'll admit, I am curious, not just for the purposes of the blog, but for the hopeful notion that someone out there gets it.
Me, I can't make the chat tomorrow. Can you make time for it? Maybe BCF will post highlights or something. If you do participate, let me know how it was! In the meantime, I will see what I can unearth about Beautycounter to share with you.
Cautiously yours,
Jazzy
I was on the fence about promoting this live FB chat that the Breast Cancer Fund is hosting with cosmetic company Beautycounter today at 1:00 pm EST. I think you can find it here. Not only am I not the end-all be-all expert on trusted sources for information, but it was a completely new company to me. Serious stranger danger.
But then I decided that there really aren't all that many opportunities for an open dialogue about toxic chemicals in consumer products. I think we can realistically expect a hard sell by Beautycounter, the heavy push to buy their products. But I also think we can gain something as consumers not to just listen but to have the chance to speak.
By that I mean speaking up about our concerns about chemical exposure in the products we use. Speaking out against manufacturers and retailers who put profit, and not their customers, first. After all, change doesn't occur in a vacuum of silence and complacence.
Beautycounter benefits greatly from their partnership with EWG and the Breast Cancer Fund. Street cred, if you will. I want to dig in a little and see what they're about. I'll admit, I am curious, not just for the purposes of the blog, but for the hopeful notion that someone out there gets it.
Me, I can't make the chat tomorrow. Can you make time for it? Maybe BCF will post highlights or something. If you do participate, let me know how it was! In the meantime, I will see what I can unearth about Beautycounter to share with you.
Cautiously yours,
Jazzy
Friday, October 10, 2014
Nothing is sacred
After months of nothing, I'm coming back with what's becoming an annual tradition: a righteously indignant rant on pinkwashing. Didn't you miss me?
Komen's in bed with some fracking company that's no doubt paid handsomely for the privilege of using that signature pink on its drill bits. You've seen it on going around the Internet, I know you have, so I'm not linking to it here, because I refuse to give either party more attention than they deserve.
Aside from a really horrible tagline (seriously, who writes this sh*t?), the whole thing is just completely busted. Fracking. A process that, when done successfully, creates and spreads carcinogenic chemicals and by-products. So yes, by all means, fork over some good cash money to get the blessing of the best-known breast cancer organization in North America.
For shame, Komen. FOR. SHAME. With the majority of breast cancers caused by environmental exposures, are you seriously getting involved with a company that profits from increasing the cancer risk of its employees and neighbors?
Since my own brush with cancer, I've not had a lot of respect for Komen. It's not really a popular view, given all the money they channel to the cause. But to whose benefit? How have survival rates increased? How are diagnoses decreasing? I'm not here to win any popularity contests. I'm here to call bullish*t, which is what this is, big time.
Happy Friday,
Jazzy
Komen's in bed with some fracking company that's no doubt paid handsomely for the privilege of using that signature pink on its drill bits. You've seen it on going around the Internet, I know you have, so I'm not linking to it here, because I refuse to give either party more attention than they deserve.
Aside from a really horrible tagline (seriously, who writes this sh*t?), the whole thing is just completely busted. Fracking. A process that, when done successfully, creates and spreads carcinogenic chemicals and by-products. So yes, by all means, fork over some good cash money to get the blessing of the best-known breast cancer organization in North America.
For shame, Komen. FOR. SHAME. With the majority of breast cancers caused by environmental exposures, are you seriously getting involved with a company that profits from increasing the cancer risk of its employees and neighbors?
Since my own brush with cancer, I've not had a lot of respect for Komen. It's not really a popular view, given all the money they channel to the cause. But to whose benefit? How have survival rates increased? How are diagnoses decreasing? I'm not here to win any popularity contests. I'm here to call bullish*t, which is what this is, big time.
Happy Friday,
Jazzy
Monday, August 18, 2014
This is your skin. This is your skin under UV light.
Summer's starting to wind down, but there is still a full month of potential sunburns before the season officially ends. Are you still using sunscreen?
This incredibly powerful video about UV light is making the rounds on the Internet right now, and I highly suggest spending the 3 minutes or so watching it. Go ahead, I'll wait.
How's that for crazy? I don't know what type of sunscreen is used in the video -- mineral or chemical -- but I think it's safe to say that any liberally-applied mineral sunscreen will give you similar protection to that seen here.
Don't become a wallet-face!!! I've got a couple posts on sunscreen in the queue and no, it's not too late to still be talking about it. Skin protection is a year-round gig!
Yours in healthier living,
Jazzy
This incredibly powerful video about UV light is making the rounds on the Internet right now, and I highly suggest spending the 3 minutes or so watching it. Go ahead, I'll wait.
How's that for crazy? I don't know what type of sunscreen is used in the video -- mineral or chemical -- but I think it's safe to say that any liberally-applied mineral sunscreen will give you similar protection to that seen here.
Don't become a wallet-face!!! I've got a couple posts on sunscreen in the queue and no, it's not too late to still be talking about it. Skin protection is a year-round gig!
Yours in healthier living,
Jazzy
Friday, August 8, 2014
SMACK! Reviews: everyone soap by EO
Product reviews are easily the most popular thing here at SMACK! so it seems like a natural way to break my summer hiatus. Today we're getting to know everyone soap by EO Products. This isn't the first EO Products review I've written. My post reviewing their cleansing wipes is here.
I came across this 32-oz pump bottle of awesome in a search for a new shower gel. I'm not a huge fan of bar soap but don't feel so clean after using something that is full of chemicals, ya dig?
Here's where the love fest starts. everyone soap is good for everything -- hair, face, body -- so I not only have fewer chemicals in my body, I have less crap in my shower. And I am of a certain age where things like that make me happy.
So I don't mind the $9.99 regular retail price. Remember, this replaces your shampoo AND bar soap/shower gel. I'm nothing if not frugal.
How does it work? It's so nice. Like, really. Some soaps can be drying, others can leave a filmy residue (moisturizing?) but everyone soap just leaves you clean. Your skin feels fresh but not stripped. The lather is decent, both on hair and body. I've used it both home and away, and the amount of soapy foam does vary with different types of water (hard, soft, etc.) but not enough to matter.
EO offers a nice range of scents -- or fragrance free if that's your jam -- including Coconut and Lemon, Lavender and Aloe. There are simpler versions of the same scents in the kids' line, at the same price (and no age restrictions!), and a few additional scents in their mens' line. This is a good example of 'gendered marketing' since they are all very likely THE SAME PRODUCT. Take your pick.
You likely won't find this stuff at your local grocer. It's at Whole Foods, and online. If you do see it locally, good for you! If you don't, try asking for it. I'm always advocating for consumers to ask for what they want. Any store manager with half a brain knows keeping a customer is easier than gaining a new one. So speak up!
Have you used any EO products? Let me know what you think, and if you get a chance to try this great body wash.
Yours in cleaner living,
Jazzy
I came across this 32-oz pump bottle of awesome in a search for a new shower gel. I'm not a huge fan of bar soap but don't feel so clean after using something that is full of chemicals, ya dig?
Here's where the love fest starts. everyone soap is good for everything -- hair, face, body -- so I not only have fewer chemicals in my body, I have less crap in my shower. And I am of a certain age where things like that make me happy.
So I don't mind the $9.99 regular retail price. Remember, this replaces your shampoo AND bar soap/shower gel. I'm nothing if not frugal.
How does it work? It's so nice. Like, really. Some soaps can be drying, others can leave a filmy residue (moisturizing?) but everyone soap just leaves you clean. Your skin feels fresh but not stripped. The lather is decent, both on hair and body. I've used it both home and away, and the amount of soapy foam does vary with different types of water (hard, soft, etc.) but not enough to matter.
EO offers a nice range of scents -- or fragrance free if that's your jam -- including Coconut and Lemon, Lavender and Aloe. There are simpler versions of the same scents in the kids' line, at the same price (and no age restrictions!), and a few additional scents in their mens' line. This is a good example of 'gendered marketing' since they are all very likely THE SAME PRODUCT. Take your pick.
You likely won't find this stuff at your local grocer. It's at Whole Foods, and online. If you do see it locally, good for you! If you don't, try asking for it. I'm always advocating for consumers to ask for what they want. Any store manager with half a brain knows keeping a customer is easier than gaining a new one. So speak up!
Have you used any EO products? Let me know what you think, and if you get a chance to try this great body wash.
Yours in cleaner living,
Jazzy
Friday, August 1, 2014
Quick thanks
Hey there! Had to drop a quick thanks to all the great readers who made July the Best. Month. Ever! at SMACK! Yay!! And that's in the absence of really any regular content. Wow, I really suck.
Summer's winding down, which means in just a few weeks we'll resume some more frequent posting. Keep visiting!! It hasn't really been a slow season for any of the industries we cover -- cosmetics, housewares, chemicals and the such -- just a slow, lazy season for me. Actually a pretty busy one, just not busy here. I've taken up golfing!
I've got a bunch of new products that I've tried this summer, and can't wait to share them with you. Why wait, Jazzy? Get us some reviews, stat!! Got it. I'll see what I can put together for next week.
Happy August,
Jazzy
Summer's winding down, which means in just a few weeks we'll resume some more frequent posting. Keep visiting!! It hasn't really been a slow season for any of the industries we cover -- cosmetics, housewares, chemicals and the such -- just a slow, lazy season for me. Actually a pretty busy one, just not busy here. I've taken up golfing!
I've got a bunch of new products that I've tried this summer, and can't wait to share them with you. Why wait, Jazzy? Get us some reviews, stat!! Got it. I'll see what I can put together for next week.
Happy August,
Jazzy
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Newsday
Hiya!!! Happy Summer to all. I am neglecting SMACK! just a wee bit in an effort to be more present and enjoy whatever my summer days bring my way. Like sinus infections.
Anyhoo, pretty big article in today's Washington Post about phthalates in the American diet. It's an interesting read b/c it notes how alarmed parents and politicians were a few years back when the chemicals were found in toddler toys made overseas (isn't EVERYTHING made overseas?!?!?!) so swift action was taken and everyone promptly went on with their lives.
Some researchers have since found crazy too-high levels of phthalates in poultry and high fat dairy products. So much for that chicken alfredo I had last night for dinner.
The recommendations, of course, are to avoid eating too much of these offensive food stuffs in your diet. But don't toddlers need high fat dairy for brain development? Full fat yogurt and whole milk for the under-2 set were a real thing a while back, as were omega-3s in pregnancy, because all that fat would make you pop out a genius.
But oops, the pollutants are hormone disruptors and our oceans are nothing but a toxic soup so no more eating because there really is no such thing as a healthy diet.
Hope you are all having a GREAT summer!! Anyone try a new mineral sunscreen that they love??? Do tell! I will try to get some posts going, so if you need a break from all that grilling and drinking and swimming and FUN, come visit!!
Later gator,
Jazzy
Anyhoo, pretty big article in today's Washington Post about phthalates in the American diet. It's an interesting read b/c it notes how alarmed parents and politicians were a few years back when the chemicals were found in toddler toys made overseas (isn't EVERYTHING made overseas?!?!?!) so swift action was taken and everyone promptly went on with their lives.
Some researchers have since found crazy too-high levels of phthalates in poultry and high fat dairy products. So much for that chicken alfredo I had last night for dinner.
The recommendations, of course, are to avoid eating too much of these offensive food stuffs in your diet. But don't toddlers need high fat dairy for brain development? Full fat yogurt and whole milk for the under-2 set were a real thing a while back, as were omega-3s in pregnancy, because all that fat would make you pop out a genius.
But oops, the pollutants are hormone disruptors and our oceans are nothing but a toxic soup so no more eating because there really is no such thing as a healthy diet.
Hope you are all having a GREAT summer!! Anyone try a new mineral sunscreen that they love??? Do tell! I will try to get some posts going, so if you need a break from all that grilling and drinking and swimming and FUN, come visit!!
Later gator,
Jazzy
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Playing catch up
Another unexplained absence, another post spent groveling...I'm realizing that I just may not be that blogger who can churn out content in a smooth, seemingly effortless frequency. That's not me. At least not right now. And that's ok. Summer's bearing down, and I am fighting the urge to just completely check out. It's a condition of growing up in a place where summer is THE season. Long days, warm nights, freedom to go and do and spend as you please. Right, I'm not a teenager anymore. But I am a person, doing the best she can with this wonderfully imperfect thing called a blog, and that other wonderfully imperfect thing called life. Thanks for understanding.
Back to it...Panera has been making big headlines -- and lots of them -- this week with its announcement to dump all food additives from its menu by 2016. That includes artificial colorants, flavors, sweeteners and preservatives. And that yoga mat stuff that, months later, still has Subway eating sh*t.
The news was picked up nationally by CBS Moneywatch, "Good Morning America", USA TODAY and even across the pond by The Guardian. More than one piece highlighted the announcement as part of the company's larger 'Food Policy' or vision for menu transparency and responsible corporate citizenship.
From a PR perspective, the whole thing is pretty win-win for Panera. The company gets a lot of good press and positions itself proactively, instead of waiting for some Internet whistle-blower to point out the junky ingredients in its menu items. The company avoids befalling the same public opinion fate as Subway while simultaneously being aligned with the consumer movement to improve the quality of faster-food chain restaurant menus.
It's good play, and I commend whichever big agency is in charge of Panera's PR game. That being said, what are we missing? What ISN'T Panera telling us? I'm too jaded and cynical a person to take any corporate messaging on its face anymore. So what gives, Panera, huh? What are you trying to clean up with this little campaign here?
Always reading between the lines,
Jazzy
Back to it...Panera has been making big headlines -- and lots of them -- this week with its announcement to dump all food additives from its menu by 2016. That includes artificial colorants, flavors, sweeteners and preservatives. And that yoga mat stuff that, months later, still has Subway eating sh*t.
The news was picked up nationally by CBS Moneywatch, "Good Morning America", USA TODAY and even across the pond by The Guardian. More than one piece highlighted the announcement as part of the company's larger 'Food Policy' or vision for menu transparency and responsible corporate citizenship.
From a PR perspective, the whole thing is pretty win-win for Panera. The company gets a lot of good press and positions itself proactively, instead of waiting for some Internet whistle-blower to point out the junky ingredients in its menu items. The company avoids befalling the same public opinion fate as Subway while simultaneously being aligned with the consumer movement to improve the quality of faster-food chain restaurant menus.
It's good play, and I commend whichever big agency is in charge of Panera's PR game. That being said, what are we missing? What ISN'T Panera telling us? I'm too jaded and cynical a person to take any corporate messaging on its face anymore. So what gives, Panera, huh? What are you trying to clean up with this little campaign here?
Always reading between the lines,
Jazzy
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Summer's start
Can you tell I'm already checked out for the summer? We're headed out of town for Memorial Day weekend, and I'm pretty excited. But blogging doesn't stop! I promise I will get back to a regular schedule again soon?
Have you seen EWG's 2014 Sunscreen Report? Check it here. Me, I'm all kinds of pissed off at my local Whole Foods for putting out a nice display of Kiss My Face sunscreen products and pricing them without regard to health and toxicity. The 8-oz Mineral Formula spray was $17.99!!! Amazon is selling it for $18.65, and Drugstore.com doesn't even carry it (but tried to tell me that the other spray sunscreen lotion is 'natural' with all its avobenzone and other junk. Snort.).
What gives, retailers?? Mmm?? It's not enough to hardly ever carry actually safe, gentle products -- when you do carry them, they have to be priced so outrageously to lower demand and prevent consumers from making informed buying decisions.
WHAT. EVER.
Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!!
-- Jazzy
Have you seen EWG's 2014 Sunscreen Report? Check it here. Me, I'm all kinds of pissed off at my local Whole Foods for putting out a nice display of Kiss My Face sunscreen products and pricing them without regard to health and toxicity. The 8-oz Mineral Formula spray was $17.99!!! Amazon is selling it for $18.65, and Drugstore.com doesn't even carry it (but tried to tell me that the other spray sunscreen lotion is 'natural' with all its avobenzone and other junk. Snort.).
What gives, retailers?? Mmm?? It's not enough to hardly ever carry actually safe, gentle products -- when you do carry them, they have to be priced so outrageously to lower demand and prevent consumers from making informed buying decisions.
WHAT. EVER.
Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!!
-- Jazzy
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Price alert
I was at Whole Foods yesterday and noticed that one of my new favorite products is on sale this week. It's everyone soap by EO Products. WF normally sells a 32-oz pump bottle for $9.99, which I thought was a good value, and now it's on sale for $7.99. EO sells the stuff direct for the same price, but then tacks on $5 for ground shipping, so this price at my local store is a pretty good deal!
Have I mentioned how much I love this stuff? I think a product review is in order, no? Let's get that in the queue.
Happy Tuesday,
Jazzy
Have I mentioned how much I love this stuff? I think a product review is in order, no? Let's get that in the queue.
Happy Tuesday,
Jazzy
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Olay Stories
Have you seen Olay's latest campaign? #OlayStories. Olay's put the whole thing on Pinterest, of all places. I am loathe to keep shining a spotlight on companies/ads/products that are misleading and borderline dishonest, but I suppose we have to do that to find the man behind the curtain.
Olay is playing up big time the 'everywoman beauty' as it has for a few years now. Great. But the new campaign takes it up a notch by featuring, as its first "Best Beautiful" story, skin cancer survivor Hillary. Her personal story, along with professionally-shot video and portraits, are the launchpad of this campaign.
On its face, I don't disagree with it. I am thrilled to see a company buck the trend of using one version of today's woman as the only version. But that's pretty much where my admiration for #OlayStories ends.
Turns out that the campaign is no different than Revlon's breast cancer awareness campaigns. Both companies are using cancer as a marketing tool. It's gross and irresponsible.
Hear me out. Olay is touting specific products as spokeswoman Hillary's 'beauty regimen' -- without regard to the fact that these products contain harmful chemicals. Revlon did the same thing with the series of ads featuring actress Emma Stone and her mother, a breast cancer survivor.
For kicks and giggles, I looked up 'Hillary's favorite' -- Olay's Total Effects 7-in-one anti-aging moisturizer with sunscreen. Parabens, check. Avobenzone, check. Oxybenzone, check. I feel like I'm banging my head against a brick wall.
Used to be that the endorsement of a celebrity was all a company needed to sell its cosmetics. Nowadays, the endorsement of a cancer survivor has so much more weight. Is that right? What's the message here? 'She's just like you, only she made it through what was probably the most horrific experience of her life. And now she's choosing our products, so you should, too.'
How much is Hillary being paid for this gig? I'm not saying that to be flip. I'm really curious. Consumers are hip to how much celebrities are paid for their endorsements -- potentially loads more than their actual vocation -- so how do the companies handle their deals with regulars like us?
Look, I don't like sh*tting on a fellow survivor, who probably more than anything wants to raise awareness for skin protection, and I don't fault her for getting caught up in Olay's smoke and mirrors. That said, I will NOT overlook or ignore instances of cosmetics companies exploiting cancer survivorship as a means to push their crap products. Olay, until you clean up your products, consider yourself on my sh*t list.
Righteously indignant,
Jazzy
Olay is playing up big time the 'everywoman beauty' as it has for a few years now. Great. But the new campaign takes it up a notch by featuring, as its first "Best Beautiful" story, skin cancer survivor Hillary. Her personal story, along with professionally-shot video and portraits, are the launchpad of this campaign.
On its face, I don't disagree with it. I am thrilled to see a company buck the trend of using one version of today's woman as the only version. But that's pretty much where my admiration for #OlayStories ends.
Turns out that the campaign is no different than Revlon's breast cancer awareness campaigns. Both companies are using cancer as a marketing tool. It's gross and irresponsible.
Hear me out. Olay is touting specific products as spokeswoman Hillary's 'beauty regimen' -- without regard to the fact that these products contain harmful chemicals. Revlon did the same thing with the series of ads featuring actress Emma Stone and her mother, a breast cancer survivor.
For kicks and giggles, I looked up 'Hillary's favorite' -- Olay's Total Effects 7-in-one anti-aging moisturizer with sunscreen. Parabens, check. Avobenzone, check. Oxybenzone, check. I feel like I'm banging my head against a brick wall.
Used to be that the endorsement of a celebrity was all a company needed to sell its cosmetics. Nowadays, the endorsement of a cancer survivor has so much more weight. Is that right? What's the message here? 'She's just like you, only she made it through what was probably the most horrific experience of her life. And now she's choosing our products, so you should, too.'
How much is Hillary being paid for this gig? I'm not saying that to be flip. I'm really curious. Consumers are hip to how much celebrities are paid for their endorsements -- potentially loads more than their actual vocation -- so how do the companies handle their deals with regulars like us?
Look, I don't like sh*tting on a fellow survivor, who probably more than anything wants to raise awareness for skin protection, and I don't fault her for getting caught up in Olay's smoke and mirrors. That said, I will NOT overlook or ignore instances of cosmetics companies exploiting cancer survivorship as a means to push their crap products. Olay, until you clean up your products, consider yourself on my sh*t list.
Righteously indignant,
Jazzy
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Survivor's guilt
Late showing today, folks. My day began with news that hits a little too close to home. The death of a former high school classmate who spent the last few years of her too-short life aggressively fighting cancer. I am sad, angry and guilty. Shaking a little as I realize how much devastation I managed to avoid -- for reasons I'll never know or understand -- in my own tangle with the disease.
It's just not fair. So not fair that a young woman, seemingly in her prime, celebrating the birth of gorgeous, healthy twins, is struck down by something so insidious, destructive. So much life and love stolen away.
I do have another post in the queue, a relevant seasonal piece, that will definitely go up today but probably not until much later, not until I can shake some of the guilt that's dancing through my head well enough to form coherent thoughts.
Until then, hug someone you love, real tight.
--Jazzy
It's just not fair. So not fair that a young woman, seemingly in her prime, celebrating the birth of gorgeous, healthy twins, is struck down by something so insidious, destructive. So much life and love stolen away.
I do have another post in the queue, a relevant seasonal piece, that will definitely go up today but probably not until much later, not until I can shake some of the guilt that's dancing through my head well enough to form coherent thoughts.
Until then, hug someone you love, real tight.
--Jazzy
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Burden of proof
I've always loved that phrase. Sounds very mature, very legal. Harkening back to my days of watching any and all episodes of Law & Order and, before that, taking an undergrad course in communication law. Good stuff.
Last week the only post I was good for was about Living Proof, which puts out a line of haircare products by the same name and is co-owned by none other than the forever perfectly-coifed Jennifer Aniston. Mostly it was a rant about messaging and marketing, so today we're actually looking a little deeper at the products themselves. And why you shouldn't touch these things with a ten-foot pole.
The brand gets similar marks from EWG and GoodGuide -- not so great. The two databases can't agree on which Living Proof product is the least or most hazardous, but then again, both databases are reporting on limited data. We know this usually means ingredient disclosure is less than ideal. Keep inferring and the hole that we're digging here just gets bigger and bigger.
The Skin Deep ratings for the Living Proof line is here, and on GoodGuide here.
I'm lambasting Living Proof not just because their products are pretty toxic, but also to illustrate that packaging and marketing are Totally. Meaningless. For sure it is a huge sales coup for Living Proof to snag the endorsement (and financial backing) of an A-Lister like Aniston, but there is nothing -- NOTHING -- behind the claims that science makes their products better. If anything, the science makes their products more toxic and less consumer-friendly. All that anti-frizz business doesn't happen naturally, you know.
So please, don't be fooled by seductive marketing. Save your money for safer, gentler products. Value your health and well-being over the need to attain a nearly impossible ideal. Rise above the noisy, destructive messages that women need to look a certain way and instead embrace what makes you beautiful, inside and out.
Yours,
Jazzy
Last week the only post I was good for was about Living Proof, which puts out a line of haircare products by the same name and is co-owned by none other than the forever perfectly-coifed Jennifer Aniston. Mostly it was a rant about messaging and marketing, so today we're actually looking a little deeper at the products themselves. And why you shouldn't touch these things with a ten-foot pole.
The brand gets similar marks from EWG and GoodGuide -- not so great. The two databases can't agree on which Living Proof product is the least or most hazardous, but then again, both databases are reporting on limited data. We know this usually means ingredient disclosure is less than ideal. Keep inferring and the hole that we're digging here just gets bigger and bigger.
The Skin Deep ratings for the Living Proof line is here, and on GoodGuide here.
I'm lambasting Living Proof not just because their products are pretty toxic, but also to illustrate that packaging and marketing are Totally. Meaningless. For sure it is a huge sales coup for Living Proof to snag the endorsement (and financial backing) of an A-Lister like Aniston, but there is nothing -- NOTHING -- behind the claims that science makes their products better. If anything, the science makes their products more toxic and less consumer-friendly. All that anti-frizz business doesn't happen naturally, you know.
So please, don't be fooled by seductive marketing. Save your money for safer, gentler products. Value your health and well-being over the need to attain a nearly impossible ideal. Rise above the noisy, destructive messages that women need to look a certain way and instead embrace what makes you beautiful, inside and out.
Yours,
Jazzy
Monday, May 12, 2014
Learning the hard way
I consider myself a conscientious person. Definitely detail-oriented, sometimes almost meticulous. So what gives that I've already gotten a sunburn this season?
That's the funny thing about sunscreen -- it doesn't work if you don't use it!
I'm not such a great advice-giver if I don't even heed my own advice.
So let's try that again. WEAR SUNSCREEN. Any and every day that the sun is strong enough to cast a shadow. And believe me, it's strong enough. That sun means business.
What else is on deck for this week? I've had a product review stewing for a while that I need to get posted, we're celebrating SMACK!'s real anniversary (!!) and there's some news from last week that needs discussing.
And sunscreen. We have to talk more about sunscreen.
Happy Monday!
-- Jazzy
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Calling bullish*t
Sorry for that. I don't normally use profanities in my article titles, especially during weeks when my posting schedule is totally jacked and I'll be lucky if this is all I get up on the blog. But, sometimes, that's just how life rolls.
It was just the 10-year anniversary (!!!) of the series finale of Friends, and not so coincidentally I'm seeing Jennifer Aniston's face splashed all around promoting her "Living Proof" line of hair care products.
The Rachel. Aniston famously lamented how much she hated that haircut, once it defined both the character and the actress. So is it ironic that she once again (or still?) is using her hair to help along her career?
According to the full-page spread in my latest Ulta flyer, Aniston is the co-owner of Living Proof, which, according to its own website, was started in 2004 when some biotech guys met up with some venture capital guys and came up with a new concept to fill what they perceived to be a void in the haircare market. She's also the face of what they call the "Perfect Hair Day Campaign."
Some verbiage from their "Philosophy" (fancy name for 'mission statement'):
"We believe in making money.
We are business people first.
We will market the sh*t out of our products until you believe you can't live without them.
We will sell you the promise of having all the self-confidence you crave -- for only $25 a bottle (and your hair will probably still never look as good as Jen's)."
I'm a crusty beeyotch, I know. But this whole thing really gets me. First, this sh*t's going to a pretty specific demographic. I feel like Living Proof is trying to tap the very same fan base that gave Friends such high ratings back in the day. If you wanted to be just like Rachel back in the 90s, maybe you still want to be just like Aniston now? Because you're older, smarter and have more cash lying around...to spend on shampoo? Oh right, I forgot, you deserve to have your products live up to their promises. Because you're so middle-aged and life is too short to have to use inferior shampoo.
Do you see where I'm headed here? Jennifer Aniston is probably the single WORST person to promote a hair care line. Because none of US -- regular, real-life people -- will ever, ever have the same resources that she employs to maintain her beauty. It's an unattainable standard.
And you know what? That's OK. It's ok to NOT have celebrity-level hair/makeup/fashion/whatever. It's ok to NOT need to be camera-ready at all times of day. It's ok to look like you. It's actually more than ok. It's freakin' awesome.
(BTW, I haven't gotten to the part where this Living Proof stuff is chock full of chemicals. I think I'll save that for a follow-up post.)
Yours,
Jazzy
It was just the 10-year anniversary (!!!) of the series finale of Friends, and not so coincidentally I'm seeing Jennifer Aniston's face splashed all around promoting her "Living Proof" line of hair care products.
The Rachel. Aniston famously lamented how much she hated that haircut, once it defined both the character and the actress. So is it ironic that she once again (or still?) is using her hair to help along her career?
According to the full-page spread in my latest Ulta flyer, Aniston is the co-owner of Living Proof, which, according to its own website, was started in 2004 when some biotech guys met up with some venture capital guys and came up with a new concept to fill what they perceived to be a void in the haircare market. She's also the face of what they call the "Perfect Hair Day Campaign."
Some verbiage from their "Philosophy" (fancy name for 'mission statement'):
"We are not a traditional beauty company.We are more than that.We believe in rethinking conventional wisdom.We believe when you can’t find something that works, you invent it.We believe the answers are found in science.We believe that beauty and brains are the best formula.We believe a product should keep its promises.We believe every day can be a good hair day.We believe beauty is more than skin deep.We believe in day-making, bliss-creating, confidence-boosting results.We believe you are the living proof."Did you also throw up in your mouth a little? Here's my version:
"We believe in making money.
We are business people first.
We will market the sh*t out of our products until you believe you can't live without them.
We will sell you the promise of having all the self-confidence you crave -- for only $25 a bottle (and your hair will probably still never look as good as Jen's)."
I'm a crusty beeyotch, I know. But this whole thing really gets me. First, this sh*t's going to a pretty specific demographic. I feel like Living Proof is trying to tap the very same fan base that gave Friends such high ratings back in the day. If you wanted to be just like Rachel back in the 90s, maybe you still want to be just like Aniston now? Because you're older, smarter and have more cash lying around...to spend on shampoo? Oh right, I forgot, you deserve to have your products live up to their promises. Because you're so middle-aged and life is too short to have to use inferior shampoo.
Do you see where I'm headed here? Jennifer Aniston is probably the single WORST person to promote a hair care line. Because none of US -- regular, real-life people -- will ever, ever have the same resources that she employs to maintain her beauty. It's an unattainable standard.
And you know what? That's OK. It's ok to NOT have celebrity-level hair/makeup/fashion/whatever. It's ok to NOT need to be camera-ready at all times of day. It's ok to look like you. It's actually more than ok. It's freakin' awesome.
(BTW, I haven't gotten to the part where this Living Proof stuff is chock full of chemicals. I think I'll save that for a follow-up post.)
Yours,
Jazzy
Friday, May 2, 2014
Much needed
Friday, that is. I'm still playing catch-up on all the things that went untended for the few days that I was away. Here's some light reading to start off your weekend.
Vanity Fair plugs Lorde's endorsement deal with MAC...and I'm definitely gloating that her signature look was featured in About Face last month!
That sh*t-poor excuse for chemical legislation? Turns out it would blow the fracking industry wide open. Greaaaaaaaaaat. (MotherJones.com)
HuffPo gives some love to the Think Dirty mobile app. Have you downloaded it yet?
FoxNews doesn't believe in global warming, but they are publishing the right stuff about toxic cosmetics.
Have a great one, and we'll see you on the other side!!
-- Jazzy
Vanity Fair plugs Lorde's endorsement deal with MAC...and I'm definitely gloating that her signature look was featured in About Face last month!
That sh*t-poor excuse for chemical legislation? Turns out it would blow the fracking industry wide open. Greaaaaaaaaaat. (MotherJones.com)
HuffPo gives some love to the Think Dirty mobile app. Have you downloaded it yet?
FoxNews doesn't believe in global warming, but they are publishing the right stuff about toxic cosmetics.
Have a great one, and we'll see you on the other side!!
-- Jazzy
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Quick thanks
We're approaching SMACK!'s first anniversary (officially mid-month, but let's draw it out as long as possible, no?) and so I've been reviewing stats for the first year and can I say one thing -- WOW. Site visits and page views are up more than 300% from when SMACK! went live in May 2013. Can you believe it?
I am so, so encouraged by the real interest in learning more about the chemicals in our world, and the movement to reduce the toxicity in everyday products. We have a lot of work to do. But the Internet is our friend in this battle for cleaner, healthier lives, and we can use it to spread the word, share information -- and most importantly -- enact change.
I would be remiss to not acknowledge SMACK!'s readers. You are rock star awesome and we owe all of our growth to you, who keep coming back. This little thing called a blog wouldn't be so great without you guys, and I am super grateful. Thank you, love you!
-- Jazzy
I am so, so encouraged by the real interest in learning more about the chemicals in our world, and the movement to reduce the toxicity in everyday products. We have a lot of work to do. But the Internet is our friend in this battle for cleaner, healthier lives, and we can use it to spread the word, share information -- and most importantly -- enact change.
I would be remiss to not acknowledge SMACK!'s readers. You are rock star awesome and we owe all of our growth to you, who keep coming back. This little thing called a blog wouldn't be so great without you guys, and I am super grateful. Thank you, love you!
-- Jazzy
The most wonderful time of the year
Cute, huh? That's two Game of Thrones references in as many days. Aren't you lucky!!
It also serves to kick off my seasonalnagging coverage about the use of sunscreen. To me, that's the real sign of Spring and even warmer weather to come -- the need to keep your nose from frying off your face.
That sun is some strong sh*t, but too many sunscreens are full of nasty, nasty chemicals. As we did last year, we'll look at the best offerings on store shelves for safer sunscreens. EWG usually publishes its annual report in time for Memorial Day, but I'd rather get a jump on the season since UV light doesn't know -- and doesn't care -- what month we're in.
If you aren't already, put on some goddamn sunscreen!! Make it a habit. Every day that there's enough light to cast a shadow. It doesn't have to be beach weather in order for the sunlight to damage your skin.
And if you're unsure of what's safe, or what to avoid, hang around. We'll review ingredients and try to make sense of labels so that you're not wasting your money.
Yours in fairer skin,
Jazzy
It also serves to kick off my seasonal
That sun is some strong sh*t, but too many sunscreens are full of nasty, nasty chemicals. As we did last year, we'll look at the best offerings on store shelves for safer sunscreens. EWG usually publishes its annual report in time for Memorial Day, but I'd rather get a jump on the season since UV light doesn't know -- and doesn't care -- what month we're in.
If you aren't already, put on some goddamn sunscreen!! Make it a habit. Every day that there's enough light to cast a shadow. It doesn't have to be beach weather in order for the sunlight to damage your skin.
And if you're unsure of what's safe, or what to avoid, hang around. We'll review ingredients and try to make sense of labels so that you're not wasting your money.
Yours in fairer skin,
Jazzy
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Smoke and mirrors
The House of Representatives Energy and Commerce environment and economy subcommittee had a hearing yesterday over the GOP-authored Chemicals in Commerce Act, proposed legislation that would, in theory, update and reform the painfully irrelevant Toxic Substances Control Act.
NPR covered the hearing in this article. The main take-away from the hearing is that the CiCA, if passed as written, would strip away state-level legislative powers regarding the regulation of toxic chemicals. As Massachusetts State Senator Michael Moore put it, "To strip states' residents of protections enacted by their elected officials would be a serious breach of state sovereignty and would leave everyone more susceptible to increased harm from toxic chemicals."
Anyone else sick to their stomach?
Sh*t's getting real, folks. This is where we see the federal legislative process work -- or not work. This is where we see whose interests get more attention, voters or corporations. Just exactly who's working for whom in the nation's capitol?
I poked around the web to see what other coverage came out of the hearing. Quite a bit. The Seattle Times published this editorial in Monday's paper. Plastics News has a predictable take here. TheHill.com reported on the hearing here.
Read up on the hearing, and the proposed bill. I'll try to form some intelligible opinion on the whole thing, but that may take a couple days.
Nearly speechless,
Jazzy
NPR covered the hearing in this article. The main take-away from the hearing is that the CiCA, if passed as written, would strip away state-level legislative powers regarding the regulation of toxic chemicals. As Massachusetts State Senator Michael Moore put it, "To strip states' residents of protections enacted by their elected officials would be a serious breach of state sovereignty and would leave everyone more susceptible to increased harm from toxic chemicals."
Anyone else sick to their stomach?
Sh*t's getting real, folks. This is where we see the federal legislative process work -- or not work. This is where we see whose interests get more attention, voters or corporations. Just exactly who's working for whom in the nation's capitol?
I poked around the web to see what other coverage came out of the hearing. Quite a bit. The Seattle Times published this editorial in Monday's paper. Plastics News has a predictable take here. TheHill.com reported on the hearing here.
Read up on the hearing, and the proposed bill. I'll try to form some intelligible opinion on the whole thing, but that may take a couple days.
Nearly speechless,
Jazzy
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Anniversary week
Hodor!
Has any other word in all of the seven kingdoms elicited as much emotion? If there's anyone in Westeros who does NOT deserve any of the sh*t raining down on him, it's Hodor. Man, Osha would skin those jerks faster than a rabbit if she knew how they were picking on her fave Big 'n' Tall.
But that's not why we're here, to imagine how Karma manifests itself in the highly dysfunctional world of Game of Thrones. We're celebrating this week at SMACK! One year already since the blog's launch -- WOW. One year of product reviews, industry analysis, news watching and more. One year of learning as we go that living more cleanly truly is a David v Goliath-style effort.
And the same way David wields his slingshot to take down Goliath, we consumers must wield our buying power to force the issue of safer, healthier personal products with retailers. Wherever our laws fall short, we can -- and should -- pressure retailers to adjust their inventories to stock products that do more good than harm. After all, doesn't the retailer carry liability for selling items whose intended use is actually hazardous to the consumer?
As always, I thank you for all your visits, page refreshes, feedback, comments, all of it. Keep it up! Seriously, this blogging thing doesn't work without readers, without the back-and-forth. A million thank yous for your interest and for giving precious moments from your day to this little thing we call SMACK!
Happy 1 Year!!!
-- Jazzy
Has any other word in all of the seven kingdoms elicited as much emotion? If there's anyone in Westeros who does NOT deserve any of the sh*t raining down on him, it's Hodor. Man, Osha would skin those jerks faster than a rabbit if she knew how they were picking on her fave Big 'n' Tall.
But that's not why we're here, to imagine how Karma manifests itself in the highly dysfunctional world of Game of Thrones. We're celebrating this week at SMACK! One year already since the blog's launch -- WOW. One year of product reviews, industry analysis, news watching and more. One year of learning as we go that living more cleanly truly is a David v Goliath-style effort.
And the same way David wields his slingshot to take down Goliath, we consumers must wield our buying power to force the issue of safer, healthier personal products with retailers. Wherever our laws fall short, we can -- and should -- pressure retailers to adjust their inventories to stock products that do more good than harm. After all, doesn't the retailer carry liability for selling items whose intended use is actually hazardous to the consumer?
As always, I thank you for all your visits, page refreshes, feedback, comments, all of it. Keep it up! Seriously, this blogging thing doesn't work without readers, without the back-and-forth. A million thank yous for your interest and for giving precious moments from your day to this little thing we call SMACK!
Happy 1 Year!!!
-- Jazzy
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Blurry
I'm suffering some confusion about the goings on in the movement to remove toxic chemicals from cosmetic and personal products.
See, last week I tried to put together some analysis of the one-day "Mind the Store" effort to get supporters their local brick-and-mortar Walgreens stores to speak up about the issue and return a varied number of products. Groups in nearly 50 different U.S. cities participated in what amounted to hometown publicity stunts.
While I thought the whole effort was pretty well played, I've been trying to track resulting perceptions. After all, we live in a world driven by the Internet and social media, making for The. Worst. EVER. games of 'telephone' since the game was invented. Did the grassroots effort have the intended impact on news coverage?
That's the thing -- the news wasn't easy to find. Especially not when I inadvertently searched for the events using the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics instead of Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families. Oops.
But wait -- it seems that both groups were involved in last week's 'Mind the Store' thing. Naturally my next question is how the groups are related, how they came to work together. I'm determined to find out, if for no other reason than to reduce the headache of keeping them all straight when I browse my newsfeed.
I'm still trying to track down all the media coverage from the Walgreens events. Doesn't help that the SCHF website has been down since last week. I think what I find most curious is that the group selfies posted on Facebook may very well have more value or impact here than the actual real news coverage.
Not much by way of analysis, is it? Third time's a charm?
-- Jazzy
See, last week I tried to put together some analysis of the one-day "Mind the Store" effort to get supporters their local brick-and-mortar Walgreens stores to speak up about the issue and return a varied number of products. Groups in nearly 50 different U.S. cities participated in what amounted to hometown publicity stunts.
While I thought the whole effort was pretty well played, I've been trying to track resulting perceptions. After all, we live in a world driven by the Internet and social media, making for The. Worst. EVER. games of 'telephone' since the game was invented. Did the grassroots effort have the intended impact on news coverage?
That's the thing -- the news wasn't easy to find. Especially not when I inadvertently searched for the events using the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics instead of Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families. Oops.
But wait -- it seems that both groups were involved in last week's 'Mind the Store' thing. Naturally my next question is how the groups are related, how they came to work together. I'm determined to find out, if for no other reason than to reduce the headache of keeping them all straight when I browse my newsfeed.
I'm still trying to track down all the media coverage from the Walgreens events. Doesn't help that the SCHF website has been down since last week. I think what I find most curious is that the group selfies posted on Facebook may very well have more value or impact here than the actual real news coverage.
Not much by way of analysis, is it? Third time's a charm?
-- Jazzy
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
My mother, my self
Mother's Day is a huge retail thing. Seriously. It's second only to Christmas -- which is now considered 'Holiday' to encompass a full six-week period off spending like there's no tomorrow -- and we never hear from fine cosmetic and fragrance lines as much as we do in the weeks before Mother's Day. Make her beautiful! Make her smell good! Pamper her with toxic products for facials and poisonous nail polish!
I know, I know, I'm getting acerbic in my old age. But if there's one thing I want to accomplish here, it's challenging the status quo. Which, if we're to believe the marketing, asserts that women in their motherhood years get this over-abundance of special attention on the given day in the form of beauty and personal products. Also, if you buy in to the hype, there seems to be a correlation between the amount you spend and the amount you love your mother. ???
So ya, I'm going to be acerbic. Even though I myself love a good pedicure as much as the next lady. I had mani/pedis regularly through chemo treatment, and it was the perfect indulgence to keep me from feeling like myself.
Back to Mother's Day. And some options. I mean, hammering down the mainstream, traditional product lines is worthless if I haven't shown you how to get safer, non-toxic alternatives, right?
Well+Good NYC has a roundup of fragrances here. YouBeauty.com has its guide to non-toxic fragrance here, including a gallery of different products. The Chalkboard Mag gives its take on safer perfumes here, with a link to their 5 favorite natural perfumes here.
We'll keep talking about fragrance, the industry and finding perfumes that aren't endangering your health. It's one point in the larger discussion as to why women are made to feel like they need products like cosmetics and perfumes in the first place.
Smell nice but stay healthy,
Jazzy
I know, I know, I'm getting acerbic in my old age. But if there's one thing I want to accomplish here, it's challenging the status quo. Which, if we're to believe the marketing, asserts that women in their motherhood years get this over-abundance of special attention on the given day in the form of beauty and personal products. Also, if you buy in to the hype, there seems to be a correlation between the amount you spend and the amount you love your mother. ???
So ya, I'm going to be acerbic. Even though I myself love a good pedicure as much as the next lady. I had mani/pedis regularly through chemo treatment, and it was the perfect indulgence to keep me from feeling like myself.
Back to Mother's Day. And some options. I mean, hammering down the mainstream, traditional product lines is worthless if I haven't shown you how to get safer, non-toxic alternatives, right?
Well+Good NYC has a roundup of fragrances here. YouBeauty.com has its guide to non-toxic fragrance here, including a gallery of different products. The Chalkboard Mag gives its take on safer perfumes here, with a link to their 5 favorite natural perfumes here.
We'll keep talking about fragrance, the industry and finding perfumes that aren't endangering your health. It's one point in the larger discussion as to why women are made to feel like they need products like cosmetics and perfumes in the first place.
Smell nice but stay healthy,
Jazzy
Monday, April 21, 2014
Thinking Dirty
I follow the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics in my FB newsfeed, and I've noticed a bunch of plugs for the mobile app Think Dirty, which lets consumers scan product bar codes to find ingredients and toxicity ratings. Looking into it, I saw that the Campaign has, on three separate occasions in the same week, promoted the Think Dirty app.
Huh. I only bring it up because Environmental Working Group, which as we all know operates its own Skin Deep database of personal products, is a founding member of the Campaign.
So why the extra love for another, competing rating system? Not sure. Has me wondering what the relationship between all the companies is, though.
I have both apps downloaded to me phone, and I remember when they were first available having difficulty finding products. The data just wasn't robust enough, and didn't anywhere compare to the 80,000 products listed in Skin Deep's full online database. I haven't used with app in a while, but maybe it's worth a revisit.
I'll also keep my eyes peeled for anything indicating why the Campaign would be pushing one mobile app over another, rather than just encouraging consumers to get in the habit of using their smart phones to make smarter, healthier purchases from the beauty aisle.
Yours in investigative blogging,
Jazzy
Huh. I only bring it up because Environmental Working Group, which as we all know operates its own Skin Deep database of personal products, is a founding member of the Campaign.
So why the extra love for another, competing rating system? Not sure. Has me wondering what the relationship between all the companies is, though.
I have both apps downloaded to me phone, and I remember when they were first available having difficulty finding products. The data just wasn't robust enough, and didn't anywhere compare to the 80,000 products listed in Skin Deep's full online database. I haven't used with app in a while, but maybe it's worth a revisit.
I'll also keep my eyes peeled for anything indicating why the Campaign would be pushing one mobile app over another, rather than just encouraging consumers to get in the habit of using their smart phones to make smarter, healthier purchases from the beauty aisle.
Yours in investigative blogging,
Jazzy
Friday, April 18, 2014
Walgreens vs the everyman
I had some great critical analysis planned for the grassroots events at Walgreens stores nationwide that Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families organized for earlier this week, but some reason the organization's website is down. Coincidence?
In all honesty, it's hard to make a point about anything without any reference material. It makes me a bad writer, and does nothing for you as a reader, so we'll table this until I can get on their site and check things out.
Stay tuned,
Jazzy
In all honesty, it's hard to make a point about anything without any reference material. It makes me a bad writer, and does nothing for you as a reader, so we'll table this until I can get on their site and check things out.
Stay tuned,
Jazzy
Week ending
Well, I've really dropped the ball this week, huh? Last week was chock full of content and this week, just one piddly post and one silly Game of Thrones reference. C'mon Jazzy, you can do better than that!
You're damn right I can.
I'm giving Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families another post about their efforts to pressure Walgreens. Highlights, for sure, but also some analysis. After all, this is the Internet Age and nothing is as it seems.
Can I also drop a whole paragraph just for GoT? Anyone else re-watch the last episode of Season 3 to get caught up? Who's Blackfish (apparently he escaped the slaughter at Frey's, er, party)? And can we talk about how Arya has been on the lam for 2 entire seasons? When will that poor girl get a bath? And get to hook up with Gendry?
"Look! The pie!"
-- Jazzy
You're damn right I can.
I'm giving Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families another post about their efforts to pressure Walgreens. Highlights, for sure, but also some analysis. After all, this is the Internet Age and nothing is as it seems.
Can I also drop a whole paragraph just for GoT? Anyone else re-watch the last episode of Season 3 to get caught up? Who's Blackfish (apparently he escaped the slaughter at Frey's, er, party)? And can we talk about how Arya has been on the lam for 2 entire seasons? When will that poor girl get a bath? And get to hook up with Gendry?
"Look! The pie!"
-- Jazzy
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Walgreens feeling the heat
Quickie post here, to give y'all a heads up about an effort from Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families to put some pressure on Walgreens to join the slowly-building retail movement to clean up their shelves.
According to SCHF, folks in 45 cities across North America today will speak up against the toxic chemicals in cosmetics and personal products. The organization also has provided this web letter that goes directly to Walgreens CEO Gregory Wasson.
Again, consumers wield considerably more power than they will acknowledge, and this is an important example of making retailers work for us, instead of the other way around. Let's tell them how we want things, what we want to buy and how much we'll spend. If we make enough noise, they have no choice but to listen.
Yours in informed activism,
Jazzy
According to SCHF, folks in 45 cities across North America today will speak up against the toxic chemicals in cosmetics and personal products. The organization also has provided this web letter that goes directly to Walgreens CEO Gregory Wasson.
Again, consumers wield considerably more power than they will acknowledge, and this is an important example of making retailers work for us, instead of the other way around. Let's tell them how we want things, what we want to buy and how much we'll spend. If we make enough noise, they have no choice but to listen.
Yours in informed activism,
Jazzy
Monday, April 14, 2014
Late start to the week
I hear there are some job openings in Westeros for wedding planners....hahahahahahhahahhaha
Getting a late start today. My Monday is blowing up in my face, and I'm trying to squeeze in a million different things into the same few free(ish) hours that I have. Thanks for understanding!
-- Jazzy
Getting a late start today. My Monday is blowing up in my face, and I'm trying to squeeze in a million different things into the same few free(ish) hours that I have. Thanks for understanding!
-- Jazzy
Friday, April 11, 2014
Powder me toxic
In Wednesday's About Face, I lamented about the number of loose and pressed powders I saw in both GoodGuide and the Skin Deep databases that had decent ratings, despite containing what I know to be a not-so-nice ingredient: titanium dioxide.
Here's what EWG says about the chemical. The organization concedes that it's classified as a possible human carcinogen (for inhalation and products that may be aerosolized), according to the California Environmental Protection Agency.
I knew this already, but for a pretty random reason. Last year I bought a set of dry pastels that were labelled for California's Prop 65, which requires disclosure of carcinogenic ingredients. The sticker read "This product contains a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer." Yaaaaaay.
It was so disconcerting that I wrote about it on the blog (read the original post here.) After looking into it further, I learned that this popular sunscreen ingredient is in fact pretty hazardous when inhaled. Dry pastels create a lot of dust, so pastel painting requires real attention to ventilation.
Then, a few weeks ago when I was cleaning out some old cosmetics, I found this Lancome powder:
It was this battery-powered applicator for loose powder. Because some people are too damn lazy to pat the powder on themselves. I think I used it once. I remember it feeling fine, but I've never been an all-over makeup person. Back to debating whether or not I should keep it. That SPF 21 caught my eye, so I looked at the back of the box, and sure enough:
Here's what EWG says about the chemical. The organization concedes that it's classified as a possible human carcinogen (for inhalation and products that may be aerosolized), according to the California Environmental Protection Agency.
I knew this already, but for a pretty random reason. Last year I bought a set of dry pastels that were labelled for California's Prop 65, which requires disclosure of carcinogenic ingredients. The sticker read "This product contains a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer." Yaaaaaay.
It was so disconcerting that I wrote about it on the blog (read the original post here.) After looking into it further, I learned that this popular sunscreen ingredient is in fact pretty hazardous when inhaled. Dry pastels create a lot of dust, so pastel painting requires real attention to ventilation.Then, a few weeks ago when I was cleaning out some old cosmetics, I found this Lancome powder:
It was this battery-powered applicator for loose powder. Because some people are too damn lazy to pat the powder on themselves. I think I used it once. I remember it feeling fine, but I've never been an all-over makeup person. Back to debating whether or not I should keep it. That SPF 21 caught my eye, so I looked at the back of the box, and sure enough:
Titanium dioxide. In a loose powder. That's being applied to the immediate area around my nose and mouth.
So let me get this straight. If I use this product as intended, I'm exposing myself to a known carcinogen? NO. THANK. YOU.
EWG currently lists more than 13,000 products -- all cosmetics or personal products -- containing titanium dioxide in its Skin Deep database. How many of these cosmetics carry a Prop 65 label? NONE. How many of you would buy cosmetics that were labelled for containing cancer-causing chemicals?
I'm more than annoyed by the inconsistency in consumer protection. How much do the cosmetic companies pay to make sure things like slide through? Who's asleep at the wheel over at the FDA? Where's the outrage?
And that, my friends, is how we're wrapping up this week at SMACK! Know your ingredients and, as I wrote back in September, check your labels. Every. Time.
-- Jazzy
I'm more than annoyed by the inconsistency in consumer protection. How much do the cosmetic companies pay to make sure things like slide through? Who's asleep at the wheel over at the FDA? Where's the outrage?
And that, my friends, is how we're wrapping up this week at SMACK! Know your ingredients and, as I wrote back in September, check your labels. Every. Time.
-- Jazzy
Phew!
What a hectic week! Hope you guys have loved the extra content. I made the executive decision to push out the launch of SMACK!'s new look to over the weekend. I have a load of non-blog things that I need to catch up on, and you totally understand because you guys are the best! (I know this because page views for April are already crazy high, which makes me feel humbled and happy -- THANK YOU)
SMACK! has its first anniversary next month. It's a hoot to go back and read all those old posts. We've come a long way, with product reviews, news coverage, some good ole fashioned lecturing and so much more. The best part is that I rarely run out of things to say about anything. That's good for you! So I'll keep opinionating (not really a word, but hey, it kinda works) and you keep visiting.
Happy Friday,
Jazzy
SMACK! has its first anniversary next month. It's a hoot to go back and read all those old posts. We've come a long way, with product reviews, news coverage, some good ole fashioned lecturing and so much more. The best part is that I rarely run out of things to say about anything. That's good for you! So I'll keep opinionating (not really a word, but hey, it kinda works) and you keep visiting.
Happy Friday,
Jazzy
Thursday, April 10, 2014
More nails
ANOTHER post about nail polish? Jazzy, are you kidding????
I know, I know, there's been a lot about nail polish lately. I SWEAR I don't work for Zoya. Today's post actually won't feature any one brand of polish. It has to do with the matte style polishes.
They're cool, no? Great for a different look than the standard glossy finish. So here's a great hack I found for getting that matte finish.
I saw it first as a pin on Pinterest, and you can see the original at PrettyGossip.com. It totally made my day -- not because I'm all over the matte trend, but because it makes use of a great, all natural ingredient. Bloody brilliant, if you ask me. I am so going to try this.
We're all about tips and hacks like this corn starch top coat here. I mean, what a great, SAFE way to rock a trend. There IS such a thing as healthy beauty!
Yours,
Jazzy
I know, I know, there's been a lot about nail polish lately. I SWEAR I don't work for Zoya. Today's post actually won't feature any one brand of polish. It has to do with the matte style polishes.
They're cool, no? Great for a different look than the standard glossy finish. So here's a great hack I found for getting that matte finish.
I saw it first as a pin on Pinterest, and you can see the original at PrettyGossip.com. It totally made my day -- not because I'm all over the matte trend, but because it makes use of a great, all natural ingredient. Bloody brilliant, if you ask me. I am so going to try this.
We're all about tips and hacks like this corn starch top coat here. I mean, what a great, SAFE way to rock a trend. There IS such a thing as healthy beauty!
Yours,
Jazzy
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