Advertisement Deconstruction - Marilyn Monroe

MARILYN MONROE

The advertisement that caught my attention was Marilyn Monroe discovers the world’s most glamorous make-up . . . from the Westmores of Hollywood. I just find it crazy that men were considered the experts about women and their make-up. Hmmmmmmm and the year was when? It is like the silly concept that men would be perfect for assisting women while they give birth! The day they give birth they can give us a call about that but until then, they can assist but get me to a women who knows what is what! Make-up they can wear themselves so maybe they know a few tricks.

In the ad, which is for longer-lasting make-up for liquid TRU-GLO they have a beautiful picture of Marilyn, of course with her “girls” sticking out all perky and all. Her face is included in the photo opp. However, there is a little cartoon of her surrounded by these four men in suits, which looks like they are talking over her “needs”. Tru-Glo hides the tattle-tale lines and imperfections, and gives you that “poreless” look. Ahhhhh, and it imparts a radiant natural glow to bring out your true beauty. Hmmm shouldn’t true beauty be what is in your heart and in your thoughts and via your deeds.

  

I personally liked their color selections, which were yellow and pink. Marilyn did look lovely as always, sweet and sexy. The picture of Marilyn was larger than life kind of look, close up and personal. It was taken from her most recent movie Niagara. It also included a picture of a Tru-Glo bottle and a red lipstick. There was lots of text and it kept you busy looking in each corner. I liked it other than the fact that men were in a women’s business per se. Well, and you really did not look at her cheeks and face because you gravitate towards the yellow dress in reality. Her breast are just really the focal point because now that I am looking at it, the bottle is pointing your eyes to them, and so it the lipstick! That is just weird!!!! 

Killing Us Softly 3

Killing Us Softly 3

Jean Kilbourne

I absolutely became a fan of Jean Kilbourne after watching her Killing Us Softly 3 video. I cannot say that I ever really thought about how much influence advertising plays on our lives. When I was in high school I wanted to become a plastic surgeon, but one who helped individuals who were injured in accidents or those born with a defect. I was then, and I still am today, against the surgery for a new face, enhanced breast, tummy tucks, etc.

I certainly never recognized how our society is continuing this insane view of what a women is and what she should do. As an American, I just thought we were so enlightened in our attitude that women are strong and confident; they can do or be anything. After listening to Jean I realize I am so completely wrong!

I just watched Sex in the City 2 on Friday night and that was just all levels of sick and twisted. It simply made it like women were shallow, self-centered, completely consumed by fashion, and that the reality is that we will continue to be that way until the day we die. At 52 we are going to be trying to look young and fresh like a Miley Cyrus, and our main goal in life will be to get laid, because only that will complete us. The movie just made women look stupid! It was completely void of the current events in life, like no jobs for those of us just about to get out of college and hoping to start careers.

On the other hand, I recently went to see Burlesque, and completely loved it and did not see it as a negative. Both main characters, Cher and Aguilera’s came across as strong, confident, intelligent, talented, witty, sexy women. In my mind sexy is fun and should be enjoyed, and being a woman is a good thing. It just seems to me that a woman naturally owns her body and is worthwhile. Society might want me to feel differently, but in my little bubble I am choosing to ignore the rules they want to throw my way.

The beauty of Jean Kilbourne is that she makes us aware of what we are really looking at. An advertisement showing women being stalked by shadowy figures, and our hands over our mouths, passive positions, versus the visuals we get of men in action, successful, confident, over achieving hero’s. Oh, and my favorite fact from Ms. Kilbourne was that only 5% of women are born with the genes to support the look that a model has. That 95% of us are suppose to dream of something we can never achieve, to be the Barbie doll that is anatomically incorrect is just mind blowing! Knowledge is power and I am so thankful for being introduced to Jean Kilbourne and Killing Us Softly!

I am a fan of True Blood and happen to have a magazine cover in my stash of fun stuff. I thought it was fair game for all three individuals but I will take a better look after I post this.