Anyone for D.I.Y Botox?
Sophie Lombardi
Before armageddon, I was actually considering having some inject-ables. I have already have my nails shellacked with plasticky polish, my eyelashes are dyed and laminated and I am constantly rubbing something or other into my face in an attempt to look less like a corpse. So why am I so conflicted about having a couple of procedures that are safely and routinely carried out?
I am regularly told “you look tired”, to which I’d like to respond “I’m not tired, I’m in my mid-forties!”. Botox and fillers have created a ‘new normal’ for my age bracket and the beauty standard has been raised. My guilty feminist side thinks this isn’t fair; botox and fillers are expensive and un-affordable for most people. We’ve fallen into another trap where our insecurities are being monetised.
In her book, Botox Nation, Dana Berkowitz talks about how the majority of botox and filler procedures are carried out to reduce our frowns or ‘resting bitch faces’. Again, we’re kind of being told that women are not supposed to look cross or angry. Perhaps Greta Thumberg wouldn’t receive so much criticism if she appeared happy and smiley, instead of determined and angry with the way serious issues like Climate Change are being ignored by the Government. I am not sure if I’m ready to say goodbye to my ‘resting bitch face’; how will my children know when they’re in big trouble and how will I express how I feel?
Ultimately, botox and fillers are carried out to make clients look younger. Just like we have been conditioned to lie about our age and hair colour, many women (and men) choose not to disclose whether on not they have had inject-able procedures. There is a certain amount of shame associated with the vanity of wanting to look younger and for women there is probably a bit of guilt about botox being un-feminist. Part of me thinks that perhaps I should try and embrace ageing; the cracks show wisdom and years of laughing. Alternatively, if I decide to shove some toxins in my face, maybe I should just be completely honest about wanting to look and feel a bit better.
Dana Berkowitz confirms in her book that botox and fillers are not a feminist or un-feminist activity. Changing your appearance to make yourself look better is not empowering, but might give you a bit of a mood boost. Who knows how I will feel about getting inject-ables after ‘the end of the world’. At the moment I am on a one way track to becoming completely feral.
On an end note, there have been many beauty guides launched during the lock-down to make ourselves feel better, however none of these include instructions for D.I.Y Botox. Surely there are some craggy old crows feet and droopy brow-lines that need a little attention during these dark times? I’ll have a whip ‘round the shed and let you know what I can come up with….
Take Care and keep practicing your resting bitch face
Sophie xx
