This was an interesting read, and I’m looking forward to reading The Unpublishable from now on too. I’ve been an esthetician for almost 12 years and have also become fairly jaded about some treatments, exaggerated product claims and questionable product recommendations. I say if something works for you, use it. You don’t need 10, 15, 20 products (unless that’s your thing, then go for it). If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is (like neck creams, I have a hard time believing many of those work). It’s nice to have some more, in-depth info about the beauty industry so please keep it coming!
“The industry is run for the most part by people who believe that helping women try to adhere to unrealistic beauty standards is the best way to heal the hurt caused by those very beauty standards.”
Mar 12, 2023·edited Mar 12, 2023Liked by Valerie Monroe
It really is hard not to give in when words like "miracle" are used to descrbe products (I recently came across one and had to resist buying it). My mind immediately springs to "Well, I want a miracle!" Yet, as you wrote here, there is simply no such thing especially having to face the reality of the same industry that told us that suntanning was (and still good for us) then try to sell us products to counteract the damage. It makes me think of how objects are engineered to be obsolete within a certain amount of time so that consumers would continue to buy, buy, buy. Just the other day I was reading a Real Simple magazine I bought at the aiport (I don't read typical beauty magazines), and there ads about anti-aging and it just boils my blood and whispers to my mind. "Don't you want that?" I have to say once and again, "Wear sunscreen and be done with it."
I am a newly minted septuagenarian hoping for a decade more of reasonable wrinkleness in the face and neck before I happily become an octogenarian of the Maggie Smith type who uses those wrinkles for the most remarkable expressions of disdain. But my vexation here is about leg hair; I assumed it would go away, but instead I have random fields of black hair atop my shins. My friend in France always outdoes me with how the French do everything better. She raves about some rolling gizmo that uproots those bad boy hairs, and then no need to do it again for weeks. Do you know of something like that here in the U.S.? Just tried both Google and Amazon with various descriptions for what I'm after. Got nowhere.
Well, I read this a few days ago and didn't have time to respond. But that's good, because I thought about it all week.
First of all, as your loving astrologer (for real, that is what I left reporting to do professionally), I'd like to reassure you that this was an impeccably Scorpionic post, and wholly representative of Scorpio Suns everywhere who have as their internal mechanism, an irrepressible need to either warn of danger or plunge themselves into it. Or both.
And who better than a Scorpio to ride shotgun if one is indeed looking for a thrill? The Scorpio will provide the best of both worlds...a well-seasoned guide in the dark, and one willing to enjoy it, and maybe even push further into it if they think you can handle it.
So, that's the first thing. Scorpio Sun, love thyself.
The other thing? See my note to E. Jean Carroll, who it is a thrill to see here, btw: F*ck 'em.
Because, here's the real point of my ramble. Shame is a lever that makes us do things we regret, makes us submit to atrocities we will regret, divorces us from our true selves so we are filled with regret...makes all our beauty useless beauty and terrible beauty what is utilized.
When we are ashamed we are easy to control. When we are shameless, there are no bounds (see any news story about the former guy), but it's still the same energy because if one is shameless, then one is controlled entirely by one's impulses.
Those such as yourself with a high Scorpion quotient are consummate at directing the power of shame either positively or recklessly. The reason is because they are from the season of right now, as the afternoon light is hot honey gold and melting into the trees by 4PM, when there is more darkness than light, but what is left in the dark still must be met and navigated, maybe even partnered with if we're going to successfully reach the day of the coming light of winter, after the Solstice.
So, do not ever shit on yourself for being a Scorpio Sun again. Happy birthday.
This is so important and timely for me. I spent an hour waiting for my plastic surgeon's appointment (he's always running late it seems). See, I'm 3 weeks past having something undone that I did in 1990 to make my blouses fit better, and let me feel better about myself. I'm sitting there today with a big screen in the waiting room, and also in the exam room, watching a slide show of before and after photos of various procedures, treatments and topicals designed to restore youth, or confidence, or whatever. Between the photos are inspirational/spiritual quotes from Maya Angelou, Buddha, Pele, etc, that I feel are designed to make me feel like it's what's inside me that's important. So confusing! First I feel like I need to sign up for a brow lift and a tummy tuck and then I feel like I am good enough like I am. Beside the fact that I like the guy, he's skilled for sure, he also recommends healthy lifestyle habits, supplements, etc. Ultimately, no more procedures for me.
You are beautiful when you're angry, Val!!
This was an interesting read, and I’m looking forward to reading The Unpublishable from now on too. I’ve been an esthetician for almost 12 years and have also become fairly jaded about some treatments, exaggerated product claims and questionable product recommendations. I say if something works for you, use it. You don’t need 10, 15, 20 products (unless that’s your thing, then go for it). If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is (like neck creams, I have a hard time believing many of those work). It’s nice to have some more, in-depth info about the beauty industry so please keep it coming!
You’re incredible and I’m so happy we had the chance to chat. Cheers to putting the sting back in skincare!
Breathing fire now and then is a good look on you. Many happy returns.
Yes and yes please.
“Introduce some kind of spiritual healing for those working in an industry that profits from people’s unhealthy yearning.”
“The industry is run for the most part by people who believe that helping women try to adhere to unrealistic beauty standards is the best way to heal the hurt caused by those very beauty standards.”
It really is hard not to give in when words like "miracle" are used to descrbe products (I recently came across one and had to resist buying it). My mind immediately springs to "Well, I want a miracle!" Yet, as you wrote here, there is simply no such thing especially having to face the reality of the same industry that told us that suntanning was (and still good for us) then try to sell us products to counteract the damage. It makes me think of how objects are engineered to be obsolete within a certain amount of time so that consumers would continue to buy, buy, buy. Just the other day I was reading a Real Simple magazine I bought at the aiport (I don't read typical beauty magazines), and there ads about anti-aging and it just boils my blood and whispers to my mind. "Don't you want that?" I have to say once and again, "Wear sunscreen and be done with it."
I am a newly minted septuagenarian hoping for a decade more of reasonable wrinkleness in the face and neck before I happily become an octogenarian of the Maggie Smith type who uses those wrinkles for the most remarkable expressions of disdain. But my vexation here is about leg hair; I assumed it would go away, but instead I have random fields of black hair atop my shins. My friend in France always outdoes me with how the French do everything better. She raves about some rolling gizmo that uproots those bad boy hairs, and then no need to do it again for weeks. Do you know of something like that here in the U.S.? Just tried both Google and Amazon with various descriptions for what I'm after. Got nowhere.
Well, I read this a few days ago and didn't have time to respond. But that's good, because I thought about it all week.
First of all, as your loving astrologer (for real, that is what I left reporting to do professionally), I'd like to reassure you that this was an impeccably Scorpionic post, and wholly representative of Scorpio Suns everywhere who have as their internal mechanism, an irrepressible need to either warn of danger or plunge themselves into it. Or both.
And who better than a Scorpio to ride shotgun if one is indeed looking for a thrill? The Scorpio will provide the best of both worlds...a well-seasoned guide in the dark, and one willing to enjoy it, and maybe even push further into it if they think you can handle it.
So, that's the first thing. Scorpio Sun, love thyself.
The other thing? See my note to E. Jean Carroll, who it is a thrill to see here, btw: F*ck 'em.
Because, here's the real point of my ramble. Shame is a lever that makes us do things we regret, makes us submit to atrocities we will regret, divorces us from our true selves so we are filled with regret...makes all our beauty useless beauty and terrible beauty what is utilized.
When we are ashamed we are easy to control. When we are shameless, there are no bounds (see any news story about the former guy), but it's still the same energy because if one is shameless, then one is controlled entirely by one's impulses.
Those such as yourself with a high Scorpion quotient are consummate at directing the power of shame either positively or recklessly. The reason is because they are from the season of right now, as the afternoon light is hot honey gold and melting into the trees by 4PM, when there is more darkness than light, but what is left in the dark still must be met and navigated, maybe even partnered with if we're going to successfully reach the day of the coming light of winter, after the Solstice.
So, do not ever shit on yourself for being a Scorpio Sun again. Happy birthday.
XX
This is so important and timely for me. I spent an hour waiting for my plastic surgeon's appointment (he's always running late it seems). See, I'm 3 weeks past having something undone that I did in 1990 to make my blouses fit better, and let me feel better about myself. I'm sitting there today with a big screen in the waiting room, and also in the exam room, watching a slide show of before and after photos of various procedures, treatments and topicals designed to restore youth, or confidence, or whatever. Between the photos are inspirational/spiritual quotes from Maya Angelou, Buddha, Pele, etc, that I feel are designed to make me feel like it's what's inside me that's important. So confusing! First I feel like I need to sign up for a brow lift and a tummy tuck and then I feel like I am good enough like I am. Beside the fact that I like the guy, he's skilled for sure, he also recommends healthy lifestyle habits, supplements, etc. Ultimately, no more procedures for me.