Not So Pretty

"Not So Pretty" (single season, 4 eps, 30-min, HBOmax) is an eye-opening takedown of the cosmetics industry's lack of regard for the public's health. Each episode takes down one or more companies in the makeup, nail, skin, and hair products areas. Their products are responsible for illnesses and/or conditions that can lead to death and Congress refuses to enable the FDA to advocate for consumers since they're in the pockets of, well frankly, all industries including the cosmetics industry.

"Not So Pretty" (2022 release; 4 episodes of about 30 min each) is a new documentary mini-series about the state of the beauty industry. As Episode 1 "Make-Up" opens, we are in "New Orleans, Louisiana", and we are introduced to a mom and her (grown-up) daughter. The daughter recounts getting sick and having her make-up kit tested, only to find out that it contains traces of asbestos. Later in the episode, we learn that Johnson & Johnson's Baby Powder also contains asbestos, which the company denies despite the ample proof that it does. (J&J withdrew Baby Powder from the US marker in 2020, yet still claims that the product is perfectly safe, without any hint of shame, guilt or sarcasm.)

A couple of comments: this mini-series is the brainchild from Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering, whose previous documentary works include "The Hunting Ground" and last year's riveting "Allen v. Farrow". Here they examine the beauty industry in its various segments (Make-Up, Nails; Skin; Hair), and the alarming, if not shocking, lack of regulatory oversight. Did you know that nail polish manufacturers have ZERO obligation to disclose which chemicals are contained in their products? And then we are all shocked, SHOCKED I tells ya, that nail polish salon workers are significantly more susceptible to cancer and other diseases. No, really! Watching this series will raise the hairs on your arms on how far companies will go to (i) maximize profits, (ii) outright lie to the public, (iii) concoct new legal barriers even when found guilty to avoid paying (see: Texas Two Step scheme used by J&J), and (iii) pressure state and federal authorities relentlessly to not regulate the industry. The series is NOT anti-beauty industry. Instead, it is asking the public at large to be smarter and ask for higher quality products.

"Not So Pretty: premiered a few days ago on HBO Max. The four episodes are easily bingeable. Frankly I'm not sure why this wasn't simply released as a 2 hr movie. Regardless, if you have any interest in the beauty industry, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

This falls into the correlation/causation trap.

Anecdotal stories are not evidence. If you believe everything on the shelf is safe, you're horribly naive. Most things are made in China or somewhere else with fewer regulations than the US. It's a major reason corporations moved manufacturing overseas (and to get cheap labor).

So everything in moderation is a good rule of thunb.

To blame this content on the "current administration" shows complete ignorance.

As always, research for yourself what you want in and on your body. Be your own advocate.

Our country is full of very sick people, not only physically but mentally.

Nothing is 'safe'. Not our communities, not our foods, not our products. Keep learning and discerning.

Eat whole foods and use natural ingredients.

Live and love well and cure your hatred.

Another pseudo-documentary to instigate fear and distrust of institutions and rules. They don't mention any serious and scientific study about what they're claiming, only some personal stories and a lot of fear inducing phrases.