Breaking up with the beauty industrial complex

When you start to see the beauty industry for what it is, something shifts. You notice the layers of messaging, marketing, and conditioning that have quietly shaped how we see ourselves. For generations now, especially since the rapid rise of industrial manufacturing and mass advertising, women have been sold the idea that something about us always needs fixing. Too dry. Too oily. Too wrinkled. Too pale. Too tired. Too old etc......

There has always been another product waiting on the shelf to solve the problem we didn’t know we had until someone pointed it out.

For many women, the constant stream of beauty messaging has subtly reinforced a feeling of not being quite enough as we are, and the solution, we’re told, is always external, being another layer between us and our own skin.

As I've aged, this questioning gradually transformed into action. I haven't bought a new serum or typical beauty product for several years now. This wasn't about rejecting beauty or self-care, but about seeking a more authentic connection with them and wanting to have control over what I put on my skin.

We are all becoming more aware of the repetitive cycles that aim to keep us engaged, but as we lift the veil on the reality, it loses its hold on our focus.

Instead of shelves full of products with ingredient lists I couldn’t pronounce, which scared me a little to be honest, I started learning how to make my own skincare. Simple infused oils with botanicals, and made from simple ingredients that make sense to my body and morals.

The funny thing is, the more I simplified my routine, the more my skin and my relationship with myself relaxed.

These days I rarely wear makeup. Mostly just if I’m getting ready for a gig or a special event as I’ve always loved fashion and makeup as a ritual of self-expression.

But I sometimes catch myself pausing in front of the mirror, asking the question: Why do I feel like I need this today?

But sometimes the question itself is the most valuable part. Because it reminds me that the choice is mine, not something subtly dictated by an industry built on convincing us we are incomplete.

Making your own skincare becomes more than just a DIY project. It becomes a small act of reclaiming your body and about what feels good for you. When you make a face oil from a handful of plants and oils, you know exactly what you’re putting on your skin. There are no mystery fragrances or fillers designed for shelf life rather than skin health. Just simple ingredients that humans have used for centuries, and it actually feels more luxurious to me than anything I used to buy.

Because real beauty care is about coming back into relationship with your body & listening to what it needs instead of what the latest campaign says you should want. Little by little, the bathroom cabinet changed. But more importantly, so did the story I had been told about myself. The further we step outside that beauty industrial complex system, the easier it becomes to remember that there was never anything wrong with me to begin with!

Consider what would happen if we all moved beyond the confines of the system, not just the beauty industry, but the entire industrial complex! The narrative would shift, & I believe is already slowly shifting as more of us awaken, to benefit both humanity and the planet.

By choosing to create our own products or supporting small beauty businesses that align with our values, we are redefining what beauty means on our own terms.

There are already so many fantastic small batch businesses which are producing ethical skincare & beauty products nowadays, so the tides are turning!

(If you're interested in learning more about the Healing Calendula Oil I created, here's the link

https://www.misstealove.com/product-page/calendula-healing-oil

Additionally, I'm in the process of developing a new herbal tea blend to add an extra glow to your complexion from the inside, so stay tuned....

(NB: It’s important to remember that there is rarely a single quick fix when it comes to ongoing or concerning skin issues. Skin concerns are often a reflection of deeper internal or external factors, which is why they should be approached holistically rather than treated as an isolated symptom. Taking the time to assess the root cause, including lifestyle, nutrition, stress levels, hormones, skincare habits, and overall health, is essential in creating a treatment plan that supports long-term skin health and lasting results.)

Enjoy your journey of breaking up with the beauty industrial complex to deepen & strengthen your sense of self worth & well being.

Carrie xx