Quite sometime ago, Jonathan posted this video to facebook. I started writing a comment on his post. But it became lengthy and involved, so I felt it was better shared here. I've been meaning to do this ever since.
As a child, I liked girl's toys, boy's toys, and neutral toys. Things that were gender specific were never thrust upon me during my upbringing, I was allowed freedom in that area. I liked all different sorts of things.
But getting older often means falling into that marketing trap, as conditioning takes hold, and personal care requirements become more specific. I recall just beginning to look outside the box when I was in my mid- to late-teens. I read a blurb in a magazine that suggested using plain shaving cream instead of those marketed toward women. The perks listed were the much lower cost in a much larger volume and simply better results. I realized how blind I'd been, and my eyes were now opened! I may be a sucker for nice smells, but who really needs scented shave gel?! Not I.
Over the years, I know there were still many instances of me buying into gender marketing. I think I've now gained the awareness to see through it altogether. In fact, I'm usually impervious to all types of marketing these days. I was freed, in part, by avoiding the media, especially television. But there was still the matter of having to shop and to choose from all this different merchandise.
Analyzing the psychology of marketing often keeps me on track because it allows me to see through the veil. Honestly though, the thing that impacted my purchases the most were health concerns regarding the ingredients in personal care items. I began to look into alternatives, but I was still being targeted by marketing.
I started out with products that were labeled as "natural" or whatever, and didn't contain ingredients I was looking to avoid. A lot of it just didn't suit me, so I researched making my own. It seemed so impossible, as I logically believed if people could do it themselves, there was no need for the ready-made products to exist. I obviously wasn't considering the fact that pre-made crustless peanut butter and jelly sandwiches have been on the scene for years, and people actually buy them. That fact has brought me a sense of extreme distaste since I first learned of their unholy existence.
So I set out on making what I need. It was just one thing here and there over a long span of time. However, I found it to be so easy and so cheap, that I've never wanted to go back. And I can customize everything! I made friends with a local lady who makes natural soaps. I liked them better than anything I'd tried from the store. Now she has her own store because everyone loves what she makes! I haven't tried to learn it myself yet, it is a somewhat involved process. But the simpler things I make or have made include toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant/antiperspirant, moisturizer, and possibly other things I'm not thinking of right now.
Things can often be made with only 2 or 3 ingredients. In the case of moisturizer, you can just use one type of natural oil. Or you can create a blend of different types, and even add essential oil for fragrance. Homemade deodorant/antiperspirant works far better for me than the manufactured stuff ever did.
If you want to avoid target marketing and high prices, I urge you to find a soap maker (or learn it, yourself). And start looking up recipes for whatever you need (this is the internet, for crying out loud).
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