"Not So Pretty" (2022 release; 4 episodes of about 30 min each) is a new documentary mini-series about the state of the beauty industry. As Episode 1 "Make-Up" opens, we are in "New Orleans, Louisiana", and we are introduced to a mom and her (grown-up) daughter. The daughter recounts getting sick and having her make-up kit tested, only to find out that it contains traces of asbestos. Later in the episode, we learn that Johnson & Johnson's Baby Powder also contains asbestos, which the company denies despite the ample proof that it does. (J&J withdrew Baby Powder from the US marker in 2020, yet still claims that the product is perfectly safe, without any hint of shame, guilt or sarcasm.)
A couple of comments: this mini-series is the brainchild from Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering, whose previous documentary works include "The Hunting Ground" and last year's riveting "Allen v. Farrow". Here they examine the beauty industry in its various segments (Make-Up, Nails; Skin; Hair), and the alarming, if not shocking, lack of regulatory oversight. Did you know that nail polish manufacturers have ZERO obligation to disclose which chemicals are contained in their products? And then we are all shocked, SHOCKED I tells ya, that nail polish salon workers are significantly more susceptible to cancer and other diseases. No, really! Watching this series will raise the hairs on your arms on how far companies will go to (i) maximize profits, (ii) outright lie to the public, (iii) concoct new legal barriers even when found guilty to avoid paying (see: Texas Two Step scheme used by J&J), and (iii) pressure state and federal authorities relentlessly to not regulate the industry. The series is NOT anti-beauty industry. Instead, it is asking the public at large to be smarter and ask for higher quality products.
"Not So Pretty: premiered a few days ago on HBO Max. The four episodes are easily bingeable. Frankly I'm not sure why this wasn't simply released as a 2 hr movie. Regardless, if you have any interest in the beauty industry, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.
