Soap Box

Landing the Makeup Sale

by

If there’s anything I abhor, it is the overabundant use of BS as a tool to drive sales. Be it marketing that promises miracles or a salesperson desperate to meet their quota (commissioned or not), there are just some things that should be left alone.

Namely? False flattery. It doesn’t matter what is being sold, but since this is a beauty blog, let’s talk about the use of BS to land a makeup sale.

I’m a regular face in my local Sephora. Sometimes I’m browsing what new stuff they have, sometimes I’m buying, sometimes I’m getting a sample before committing to a product. If they don’t know my name, they at least know my face and recognize me.

There’s one employee, though… I haven’t had this issue with any of the other employees. We pleasantly chat without awkwardness – we talk about product and technique and YouTube and weekend plans (and it all happens way more comfortably and naturally than that time I got my hair cut).

The particular associate is friendly, energetic, and personable… but trying entirely too hard to make me feel warm and fuzzy, to butter me up to buy product. Yes, I have done my time in retail. I get it – you have sales goals to meet! Landing this makeup sale or upselling directly impacts your store’s labor budget which translates to hours for you and your teammates. You want me to feel good because customers who feel good tend to spend more money. There’s a way to build a positive relationship and leave a lasting good impression without bombarding me with false flattery.

It feels insincere. And I can tell. Why?

Read more

Wanted: A Hairstylist

by

My hair needs are not complex. I don’t change my mind every twenty minutes. I don’t want to go blue-black one day and then be lifted to platinum blonde two months later. I don’t abuse my hair with heat, and when I do use heat, I use protectants. I don’t subject my hair to a gauntlet of DIY chemical voodoo (with the exception of my DIY hair glaze treatment, which hasn’t been done in a year – but I’ll be doing it soon!).

At Home DIY Hair Glaze Before and AfterMy fabulous hair, circa Spring 2014.
I miss the length, but contending with it was intense!

I am not one of those people who walks into a salon for a haircut and goes, “Well I want a trim, but also a change but don’t want to sacrifice length!” This, I’m sure, is an obnoxious thing to hear from clients. Most of the time, I DO just want a trim – and can demonstrate both verbally (ie, “two inches!”) and physically (with my hands) what I want. I bring pictures, but not 200. I don’t, “fight,” my hairstylist in the chair by moving when she needs me to be still, or tilting my head when she needs it straight. I don’t creepily keep my eyes open during shampoos. I never use my phone in the chair (that might change if I had a lengthy service like color or perming).

I try to be a good client, or, at least, as good as I can be based on my general knowledge of what annoys stylists.

Ulta Salon Haircut

And yet it is so unbelievably hard to find a stylist worth a damn! It’s been six months since my last cut, and the disappointing cut I got at Ulta has grown out a bit. I didn’t want to return there yet (and definitely not to that hairstylist), so I went elsewhere.

What I wanted from the service:

  • Approximately an inch off the longest lengths.
  • General tidying of everything else (don’t cut old layers back in); nip the ends to clean them up.
  • Even out anything that is uneven.
  • At the very front, add subtle layers with the shortest at the shoulder.

This is not an involved haircut whatsoever. Although she asked what I wanted, she did not confirm her understanding or do any kind of thorough consultation. She didn’t ask what I normally do with my hair, if it has been chemically treated, etc. nor did she give me the opportunity to speak up about it – and she didn’t touch it, either, to get a feel for its texture. But you better believe she didn’t fail to ask me if I wanted to buy product!

Read more

Weight

by

Weight Scale

At 5’8″ and 125 pounds, I’m one of the last people a lot of people want to see this subject from. Don’t cringe, this isn’t some TMI weight struggle or scary eating disorder story.

What it is, however, is an expression of my frustration surrounding the idea that someone’s validity as a person – or most often, in this case, as a woman – is in question if they happen to be on the thinner side of average for their age and height.

Read more

Skin Cancer Awareness Month – Week 4

by

May is Skin Cancer and Melanoma Awareness Month.

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

– – -This went up late because I was running around like a(n SPF-wearing) decapitated chicken yesterday preparing for our cookout. I hope, if you’re in the US and had the luxury of a day off, that you had a relaxing day. I ALSO hope that if you spent time outside, you covered up (either with clothing or shade) and wore sunscreen.

One thing you can do that would make you an awesome host of any barbecues or outdoor festivities would be to provide sunscreen for your guests. Get one of the huge cans of the spray variety stuff and offer it up (or, you know, gently badger your friends to use it).

Did you know…

That you should reapply sunscreen every two hours? More often if you’ve been exposed to water or if you’ve been excessively sweating (so, swimming, doing yard work, outdoor exercise). If you’re going to be outside in the sun, it may be a good idea to wear minimal makeup so you can reapply sunscreen without issue. Otherwise, get thee a wide-brim hat.

Did you know…

EVERYONE should practice sun safety. Contrary to popular belief, people of color can indeed burn! Sunscreen and protection is not just for pasty people. Be smart, protect your skin.

Also, on that same note – people of color can and do get skin cancer, too. What’s worse is that it is often detected at a later stage in people of color…so while the incidence itself isn’t as high, the fatality of it is higher, percentage-wise. According to SkinCancer.org, “According to recent studies, the five-year survival rate for African Americans with melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is 59 percent compared to 85 percent in Caucasians.” That’s scary!

Read more

Skin Cancer Awareness Month – Week 3 – Risks

by

May is Skin Cancer and Melanoma Awareness Month. Each Monday of this month will feature a post pertaining to sun safety and skin cancer awareness and prevention.

Week 1 – Mom’s Story
Week 2 – Sunless Tanning Myths

– – –

There’s a lot of information out there about skin cancer but despite how common it is we don’t experience the, “Pinkwashing,” phenomena. While I’m glad we don’t see overt capitalization and bullshit faux-charities in abundance, we do need people to be more aware of and in touch with their own bodies so they can get treatment before is too late. Here’s some of what you should know.

Types

There are several types, but I’m going to discuss the most common three.

Melanoma

Starting in the body’s pigment cells (what gives our skin our color…and tan!) – happening on any skin surface, it is less common with people who naturally have darker skin – but it can happen. Melanoma is the most fatal; not only is it most likely to metastasize  (move to other parts of the body)- there’s rarely any pain or discomfort, and by the time you’re noticeably sick, it’s often too late.

My mom was received a Stage 0 diagnosis aka melanoma in situ and was treated, but is still needing to go back for atypical cell biopsies and removal.

Basal Cell Carcinoma (Skin Cancer)

This skin cancer most commonly occurs on areas that are frequently exposed to the sun (face, hands). This affects people with fair skin most frequently. It rarely metastasizes.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

This is the most common form of skin cancer for those with dark skin. It does affect those with fair skin, however, typically in areas with more frequent sun exposure. It sometimes metastasizes.

Risks

Overall

Sun & Tanning Beds

Had one really nasty, blistering sunburn? You have a higher risk. Sunburns during adulthood carry more, “weight,” in terms of your risk than ones sustained during childhood.

Your total lifetime exposure translates to greater risk – someone who vacations in the Caribbean and has an office job is at less risk than, say, a beach lifeguard or construction worker who is in the sun all the damn time.

Tanning in the sun. We’ve talked about this already. Even though it feels and looks nice for now, you’re putting yourself at risk.

Just because it isn’t outdoors in the sun doesn’t mean it is safe. Tanning beds still emit UV rays, which put you at risk. Due to the direct exposure, the risk of melanoma in people who have used tanning beds before age 30 – so yes, that means, me, too – increases 75%. Squamous Cell is increased by 2.5 times, and Basal Cell by 1.5. Is it worth it? No.

Medical History

Unlike something so minor as chickenpox, if you’ve had skin cancer or melanoma before, you have a greater risk of developing it again. Its important to remain vigilant about your skin! On top of that, if you have a family history of skin cancer (melanoma or otherwise), you may be more likely to develop it. So far, my mom has had a diagnosis, and my dad is due for biopsies. We’ll see how (much more) concerned I need to be.

Traits

Pale/fair (esp. with pink undertones)? Green, grey, or blue eyes? Blonde or red hair? Super freckly? I have bad news. As for me – I’m lighter, but not fair, my eyes are blue-green. My hair isn’t blonde, and I’m not freckled.

Meds

Things like Retin-A or topicals containing AHAs can make you more susceptible to sunburn and, therefore, skin cancer. You should ask your doctor and/or pharmacist if your meds have this side effect – even common things like antibiotics, antidepressants, and contraceptives can affect your sensitivity to the sun.

Melanoma Specific

Moles

Atypical ones that are oddly shaped, colored, larger than normal – are more likely to lead to melanoma. Having these doesn’t mean you DO have it, but it is good to have a dermatologist check them out.

Having 50+ total increases your risk, even if they’re common or small. This can include things you consider freckles, so again – talk to a doc and get their input. Better safe than sorry.

Basal and Squamous

Old scars, burns, and ulcers can be more likely to develop these carcinomas.

If you handle arsenic as part of your job (because that is part of, I imagine, no one’s hobbies) limit it as much as possible and ALWAYS use proper handling procedures/equipment/what have you. If you are handling it for work and your employer is not making necessary safety measures available, report them to OSHA. Seriously, stuff is not a joke, and your health is not worth their laziness.

Radiation (for…yeah, likely other cancer. Because it didn’t suck enough the first time? Scumbag cancer..) can also make you more susceptible to these varieties.

Squamous Specific

Some strains of HPV may meddle with your skin and lead to developing squamous cell skin cancer. The Gardasil vaccine won’t prevent these strains, and they are not related to any STI-type strains.

If you have odd, dark scaly growths or patches, you may have actinic keratosis, which is also linked to squamous cell skin cancer. Treating this condition when it is identified usually removes the risk, but ignoring it and allowing it to progress increases the likelihood of transitioning to a cancerous state.

What Else?

Melanoma and other skin cancers do not affect only the surface of our skin. They can affect our nail beds, and worse, our eyes.

I won’t post any scary photos, but they’re out there – and BuzzFeed recently shared this article discussing one 27-year-old’s experience. There’s a photo of her face’s reaction to her specific treatment, it’s rough.

I won’t tell you to go outside wrapped in a thick, opaque sheet year ’round, but it is important to be aware of the factors that increase your risk so you can take action and make healthier choices. Sunscreen, always, even if you hate it, especially on your hands (reapply after washing your hands). Hats are good. Sunglasses are good. Listen to your body – if you notice, during an outdoor stint, your skin feeling taut or irritated, you’re probably burning. Get inside. Pay attention to your skin and report changes to your doctor.

NYT on Manicurist Conditions

by

If you haven’t yet heard or read, the New York Times published a piece on the manicurist conditions in NYC. Instead of the content I had scheduled for today, I wanted to talk about this. Today’s content will instead be shared on Saturday, May 16 at 10 AM EST – so be sure to check back then!

I’m not going to re-write their article, but the short of it is that if you’re paying for a cheap service, someone is getting screwed – and in many of these cases it is the manicurist, and sometimes, it is you. References to $25 for a manicure and pedicure together – a service that most of us consider a treat, a luxury; a service that would normally take at least an hour total with the skills of a licensed, trained professional – think about it. Corners are being cut.

Read more