My Global Goddess Dilemma

Neela Banerjee
May 8, 2007

I have to confess, I had a really mixed reaction to it. At first, I was like, "Wow, finally make-up that accounts for my ethnic background!" Then I was like: "Ew, does that really say Chai Cheek Color and Moroccan Mystique Lip Veils?”

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The make-up, which is runs mid-range to pricey, seems like good quality and Vadhera – who is a make-up artist – seems to really understand that women from all across the pigment range need make-up that makes sense for them. But, is it necessary to market on the exotic factor in order to catch the attention of these women, and others? I mean, maybe it is – the gaudy, silk-wrapped display got my attention in a hurry but the names stopped me from buying the products.

But of course, this is very personal – I would be more prone to buying Urban Decay’s Big Fatty Mascara or Urban Ammo Eye Palette -- with colors like Smog and Maui Wowie – because I feel like they are kind-of ironically tackling the whole beauty market and having a bit of fun with it. And I am one of those girls who came to make-up late in life and still don’t really have the hang of it. Whenever I go into Sephora, I feel kind of guilty anyway, like I am supporting some huge fucked-up industry. Plus, one time I had a REALLY bad experience there.

But, I have been thinking about the Global Goddess line as my Walgreen’s make-up dries up. To tell you the truth, I’ve been considering going back and picking up some of Vadhera’s products. Does that make me a sell-out?

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Comments

Comments

Feministador wrote on Tue, 05/08/2007 - 3:25pm
No! Well, maybe a little, but you know, you shouldn't think twice about buying good makeup that works with your skin. Think of it like buying a quality pair of shoes or...ummm...like investing in a good laptop :D If you like the shades available, you'll get good use out of it instead of doing that whole "hmm, this concealer doesn't match as well as it did at the store" and toss it in the obsolete makeup bucket.With this goddanged biochem degree of mine, I was applying to a job at L'Oreal..and while getting acquainted to their lines and recent efforts to put out an "ethnic" line, I started daydreaming (right there during the interview) how awesome it would be for someone to create a line for the 1 billion plus South Asian women out there (well, the ones who are the consumers) who might appreciate a desi-specific kind of product. And then I got all discouraged because L'Oreal's "ethnic" line reminded me of how screwed up it is that they lumped all women of color into the term "ethnic"...
taitaicricket wrote on Wed, 05/09/2007 - 9:53am
I think you should buy the product and then write a letter to the company letting them know you bought it, like it, but HATE the names and why. This way you're supporting the idea of the product and help them see how to improve it, ie the names.
Samhita wrote on Fri, 05/11/2007 - 5:47pm
when do you have time to go make-up shopping NEELA???
rebecca wrote on Sat, 05/12/2007 - 2:37pm
more than the color names (because color names are generally somewhat silly) it's the name of the line itself that makes me think twice about buying it. anything with 'goddess' in it--except for annie's goddess dressing, because it's tasty--makes me want to run for the hills. the makeup palette itself is appealing, but i would be tempted to cover up the packaging in colored contact paper. that way no one would see that i use something with goddess in the name (that isn't salad dressing or a book on comparative religion)
Jen wrote on Thu, 05/24/2007 - 8:49am
I stumbled upon this post while researching Shangra Lights Shimmer Lips. Don't allow the marketing to affect your decision! I recently reviewed this product on my blog (www.ragingrouge.com) and think these glosses are fabulous. The quality reminds me of Versace's "Lights on Lips". Check out my review for more...By the way, I LOVE your blog!