Question

In the cosmetics industry, its reflective and refractive properties make "MICA" an important ingredient in blushes, eye liner, eye shadow, foundation, hair and body glitter, lipstick, lip gloss, mascara, moisturizing lotions, and nail polish. Some brands of toothpaste include powdered white Mica. Unknowingly these precious minerals presents a sad truth. Many people in Madagascar India ( known large producer of Mica) are hooked on mining just to earn a living. Young girls doing hard labour jobs even sacrificing their education just to make a small amount of money out from this mineral used to glitter make ups to enhance the beauty among women. How much price is there for beauty? What is this ugly truth about beauty? Sadly, western notion for beauty promotes make up as a medium for feature enhancement. Beauty brands all over the world are developing their products to suit the general demand. The addition of Mica is no less than an effect of global innovations developing products & competition with other brands. But with this condition in India, what can we think about beauty now?In this exercise you are going to comment / critique the following issues that you studied in this module.Comment on the issue by discussing your evaluation regarding the topic. You may comment or give some assessment and resolution to the problem. Using your previous knowledge of globalization, be objective on your findings & additional information regarding the issues.Someone can answer this?

Answer 1

The cosmetics industry's use of minerals like mica poses ethical questions regarding labor exploitation and environmental impact, which contradicts the glamorous beauty standards marketed to consumers. Addressing this requires conscious consumerism, ethical sourcing, and fair labor practices, alongside a redefinition of beauty standards that encompass ethical considerations.

Step-by-step explanation:

The cosmetics industry heavily relies on minerals like mica to create products that enhance beauty. These minerals, sourced from countries like India, bring to light an ethical dilemma involving the exploitation of labor, including child labor and environmental concerns. This contrasts sharply with the glamorous image of beauty products marketed globally. The unfortunate reality behind the shimmery appeal of products like eye shadow and foundation is the hardship of those mining mica, often under severe conditions to meet industry demand.

Moreover, the cosmetic industry's history indicates a societal pressure on women to adhere to certain beauty standards, often influenced by marketing strategies. This trend can be traced back thousands of years, as seen in ancient Egyptian and Sumerian cultures. However, contemporary marketing efforts have been pivotal in positioning beauty products as essentials for modern women, perpetuating the notion that beauty and self-worth are linked to appearance.

Addressing this issue involves conscious consumerism. Consumers can support ethical brands that are transparent about their supply chains and committed to fair labor practices. Companies can improve their practices by sourcing materials responsibly and ensuring fair labor conditions. Overall, redefining beauty standards and broadening the conversation to include ethical production methods are steps towards a more just industry.