Angela Qin's Blog

I have one more post relating to ethics (last one I promise, I just find it really interesting!)

There’s this ad by Maybelline for their XXL Pro 24hr Bold mascara.

The model’s lashes are extremely long and intensely black. Compared to this other Maybelline makeup ad where the model has on mascara on her own natural lashes.

I think it’s unethical to put fake lashes inserts and not warn the consumer. The ad also uses photoshop but the current industry all use digital enhancement so it’s still somewhat ethical. The second ad is for foundations but the model is not wearing fake skin. Although the ad is photoshopped, it’s still some what real and portrays the products.

As a consumer, I would be drawn to the lashes in this ad. I would want to go into the drugstore and buy this mascara to achieve that same look with my lashes. However, I would be disappointed with the results because the ad used false lashes, a whole makeup team and digital enhancement to produce that final image.

Even though I know my lashes will not end up like the model’s, I would still be tempted to try out the product and see if it works.

If the ad posted a warning on the bottom, the ad would not be unethical. But currently all it says is “Emily is wearing …. Mascara” so it gives a false impression that this mascara can make natural lashes look like the model’s.