Are cosmetics the new anti-glam? Ask Ellen, the newest CoverGirl
Filed under: Sex Sells, Shopping
There's a lot of talk about lipstick in the political arena these days, and you have to bet that cosmetic companies are happy about that. Any publicity is good publicity, right? Perhaps it's the most fitting time of all for CoverGirl to announce that its newest CoverGirl will be Ellen Degeneres.
An unlikely choice or not? She joins Queen Latifah, Drew Barrymore, Rihanna, the winners of America's Next Top Model and a slew of new Olympic gymnastic stars from the Beijing Olympics, and, back in the fold after many, many years, Christie Brinkley. Brinkley was the original CoverGirl and she promoted the company's cosmetics for 20 years, and now she is back to shill for age-defying makeup.
Ellen, of course, wears a ton of makeup in her daily job as a talk show host, but she is not the first person you'd think of when you think about glamor. She's also not exactly a runway model. She looks like a real person and dresses in a true anti-glam fashion -- a pant suit is still a pant suit even if you wear it to host the Oscars.
While Rihanna appeals to teens who want to look their best, Ellen will appeal to older women who still want to look their best, but maybe realize that they are who they are and they don't need to cover up anything or change anything about themselves. That's, at least, the message I'd be getting as somebody in the target audience. It strikes me as something akin to Dove's "real women" campaign, which picks regular-looking women to advertise beauty products. And it's a refreshing trend from the rail-thin models who had become so prevalent on magazine covers.
So does that pin cosmetics as the new anti-glam and cosmetic surgery as the new glam?
CoverGirl Ellen
CoverGirl is adding Ellen Degeneres as its newest spokesmodel. Details of her campaign will be announced later this year. This will be the first beauty campaign for the comedienne and Emmy award winning talk show host.
CoverGirl
Ellen is not known for being a runway model, and her fashion tastes run more toward pant suits and tuxedo-like attire.
Marc Bryan-Brown, WireImage
While she will be the new face of one of the biggest beauty companies, maybe Ellen will steer public opinion in a new anti-glam direction.
Chris Pizzello, AP
An unlikely choice or not? She joins Queen Latifah, Drew Barrymore, Rihanna, the winners of America's Next Top Model and a slew of new Olympic gymnastic stars from the Beijing Olympics, and, back in the fold after many, many years, Christie Brinkley. Brinkley was the original CoverGirl and she promoted the company's cosmetics for 20 years, and now she is back to shill for age-defying makeup.
Ellen, of course, wears a ton of makeup in her daily job as a talk show host, but she is not the first person you'd think of when you think about glamor. She's also not exactly a runway model. She looks like a real person and dresses in a true anti-glam fashion -- a pant suit is still a pant suit even if you wear it to host the Oscars.
While Rihanna appeals to teens who want to look their best, Ellen will appeal to older women who still want to look their best, but maybe realize that they are who they are and they don't need to cover up anything or change anything about themselves. That's, at least, the message I'd be getting as somebody in the target audience. It strikes me as something akin to Dove's "real women" campaign, which picks regular-looking women to advertise beauty products. And it's a refreshing trend from the rail-thin models who had become so prevalent on magazine covers.
So does that pin cosmetics as the new anti-glam and cosmetic surgery as the new glam?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
9-16-2008 @ 8:15PM
paula said...
u go ellen we love u .u are the best talk show host ever.
Reply
9-16-2008 @ 8:15PM
dorkbutton said...
Are you kidding? Ellen is gorgeous.
Reply
9-16-2008 @ 8:22PM
jlw said...
The only thing better would be to see her unphotoshopped. Finally, a real person. Way to go, Covergirl.
Reply
9-16-2008 @ 8:27PM
Ethel said...
I have long thought Ellen was beautiful! She would personify to me the epitome of "natural" looking makeup. Good Choice
Reply
9-16-2008 @ 8:40PM
NLK said...
Three cheers for Ellen and Cover Girl. Ellen has a natural beauty that is more than skin deep. It's about time that someone who's beauty comes from the soul is featured.
Reply
9-16-2008 @ 9:15PM
Anna said...
Amen!!!
About time the glamour industry recognizes someone that doesn't need to be touched up or photo-shopped!
9-16-2008 @ 8:52PM
Marilyn said...
Always loved Ellen,always thought she was very pretty,has the most beautiful eyes, and a great figure she is the only female that looks good in pants. And ohhhh can she dance. Love you Ellen, you deserve all your good fortune, your'e the tops.
Marilyn
Reply
9-17-2008 @ 12:08AM
Mary said...
Ohmigosh! I'm so sorry! I meant that the poster before named MaryLou in my comment was being referred to in the other poster's comment. I'm so sorry!
9-16-2008 @ 9:01PM
Becky said...
Why put Ellen in a dress? She wouldn't be comfortable nor would she look like herself. Kudos to Cover Girl for choosing Ellen. I think she's great!
Reply
9-16-2008 @ 9:12PM
Hannah said...
WAY TO GO ELLEN!!!!! Congrats!! Covergirl - you picked the right person to represent you all. I agree with others on here - finally a real person (not that the others weren't "REAL" ) BUT - Ellen is that all around great person. I love your show - you have the best talk show around. Your show is one of those feel good shows. KEEP IT UP Ellen........we all hope your around for years to come.
Reply
9-16-2008 @ 9:18PM
anna said...
Amen!!
It's about time the glamour industry recognizes someone that does not need to be touched up or photo-shopped!
What took them so long????!!!!
Reply
9-16-2008 @ 9:23PM
Kendall said...
WAY TO GO COVER GIRL!!! It's about time they used someone real. I was thrilled when they chose Queen Latifah, and now I'm even more thrilled.
Reply
9-16-2008 @ 9:37PM
seeel said...
its not about being ugly. there trying to show that "anyone" could be a cover girl. The message there sending is everyone is beautiful.. if u use covergirl i guess.
Reply
9-16-2008 @ 9:40PM
MEMAW said...
Hey there Covergirl,,, You couldn't have chosen a better role model for your line of products. Ellen, here's to you, on being the spokes person for the next 20 years for Covergirl!!! You're a True Beauty, not just on the outside, but also on the inside.
Reply
9-16-2008 @ 9:44PM
Christy said...
MAry Lou --
Comments like that show the elitist snobbery so common to people like --oh, let's say...Obama. Keep it up!
McCain/Palin 2008
Reply
9-16-2008 @ 10:03PM
miss plus america elite 2007 said...
I LOVE THIS because Cover Girl has taken on another woman to be spokesmodels for their company despite not being the "ideal" beauty although beautiful. Queen Latifah being a prime example. I think it is a wonderful step forward to see "realisitic" women as models for such a well known and adored company. BRAVO CoverGirl! Miss Plus America Elite 2007 wants to be your next "realistic" Cover Girl too. Haha, it really is great.
Reply
9-16-2008 @ 10:08PM
Stephanie said...
I really enjoyed your comment! It almost brought a tear to my eye--from laughing so hard, that is. You see I'm from Corpus Christi, approx. 2.5 hours from Mexico, so I'm pretty southern. I'd also like to add that about 90% of my make-up is Covergirl and I'm still a very big fan of the male species! I'm so glad that there are still stupid and ignorant people like you to make my day a little funnier! Thanks!
Reply
9-16-2008 @ 10:11PM
Cheryl said...
Ellen looks beautiful! There are many ways of being beautiful without being a runway twig or GOBS of makeup. Ellen has a natural beauty and its about time people started recognizing this in all women. THE NEW LOOK OF BEAUTIFUL.
Congrats Ellen..... we already knew you were beautiful inside ....and outside!
P.S. , you & Portia are a lovely couple.
Reply
9-16-2008 @ 10:19PM
Karma said...
a beautiful woman - inside and out. cover girl picked a winner!
Reply
9-16-2008 @ 10:21PM
ldp said...
You know I find your comment about people from the South very offensive. Just because you meet a few people with closed minds doesn't mean everyone from the south is that way. I've met people from all over the world that have poor/negative opinions concerning people of alternative life styles. The comments you just made is a prime example of people with small minds. Please do not add to the ingnorance of this world
Reply