Sali Hughes #6 Eric's at the cat flap, hide your side of beef with a shower cap!

[RayRayJay]

Hello, my name is Poppers (it’s not really, but you know, *nose tap*) and I bought Function Of Beauty shampoo and conditioner on the advice of St Sali of Skincare. What a steaming pile of poo that turned out to be. You I get that the idea of it could work well, but as I have curly hair, it just turned it into straw. I remember her saying how it was good that you could choose different options for bottle sizes (again, a good idea in theory), but she got so snippy, surprisingly with anyone daring to give a different opinion to hers. That’s when my opinion of her started to change. Her replies were uncalled for, especially when it just ordinary people asking valid questions about a product that she’d recommend.

The comments on the function of beauty Insta post were incredible. Her pal, CH, left a comment saying she was weird for having a big shampoo and small conditioner which was clearly a joke. Sal replied along the lines of "not weird, different people have different hair types".

Imagine the belly laughs you must have in her company.

 

[PineappleQueen19]

This twitter exchange made me think of someone but I just can’t quite recall exactly who...

 

[murphy]

The Guardian so needs a fresh, worldly, progressive, positive voice fronting their Beauty section.

Instead of someone closes conversations when she doesn’t like the question/tone, how about someone who sees those difficult questions as a springboard for discussions and greater understanding about our attitudes to beauty?

Instead of someone self-interested, how about someone who believes that the column is not about her but more about her readers?

Instead of someone who believes she has all the answers, how about someone with a real curiosity about beauty, and is secure and honest about not knowing everything?

How about someone who perhaps has seen and learned from what has gone on these past few weeks and wouldn’t dream of patronising, underestimating or ever believing she’s far bigger than her readership.

Traditional media's focus on the so-called expertise of a small elite has been exposed as self-serving bollocks by the internet as everyone now knows that we all have something worthwhile to say and lots of people can write well.

If the Guardian really wants to keep up and retain its readers maybe they should ditch the old-fashioned concept of individual columns and have a Beauty Collective that swaps ideas and tips and includes a diverse group of women, and men, from all backgrounds, body types, skin types, colour etc. Now that would be radical.

 

[Jelly Bean]

And why the hell should the mods here feel compelled to talk to a Grazia journo? Who the hell does she think she is? Fucking Woodward and Bernstein? And people here didn't want to talk to her? Good. Why should they. But there goes the spin at how slightly sinister it all is here. Not just that people here don't bow down in awe to, oooh, a journalist.

 

[PineappleQueen19]

Also need to start planning what we’re all doing for the big one month anniversary on Friday. A bit of LinkedIn stalking? Liking a stranger’s pic of their children from years ago? Volunteering to send a morally bankrupt ex-MP to a stranger’s house to peer through the cat flap? Punch someone in the tits? Say something to CH’s face in the street? Go on a tweet delete spree? So many options...

 

[Tesla's Ghost]

I know I mentioned this on the Friday it all kicked off, but the sexism in women talking about women being problematic somehow but men talking about footballers / other such folk (I'm guessing almost exclusively male sports people) has never caused this kind of fury that I'm aware of. I'll pay attention to thinkpieces about this kind of space when it's not made out to be primarily a women v women issue.

Because when a man is talking shit about another man, that's just him giving an opinion, nobody interprets criticizing a hockey/football/what ever player as: You are jealous because his calves are magnificent and his rotation (?) is superb.

 

[BostonFernGreen]

Yes I threatened and yes I lie but can I interest you in beauty pie

 

[PineappleQueen19]

I am staggered that it has come to this, and for what? People on this forum revealing blatant inconsistencies in an influencer’s own stories. Is that not ok?

It’s the little things that speak volumes. So the “writer’s retreat” SH claimed to go on was really a famous weight loss clinic.. why would someone lie about wanting to quickly lose weight? Hmm.. Maybe because you’ve previously been sneery about “detox” and “wellness retreat” claims? Maybe because you’ve boasted about never having to exercise and being a small size? Declared you’d never crash diet? And even if you’re using the week to write a lot, it doesn’t change the purpose of the establishment I’m afraid.

I have no idea, but i know that no one here cares if she wants to go to a weight loss clinic, - it’s not the “gossip” angle - it’s the fibbing and the spin that rings alarm bells over the place. And all of the little things add up.

And let’s face it - the wheels really came off when the new ASA guidelines came into play and it was clear SH was more of an influencer than any of the other hats she wears.

 

[litereally]

So many of of us here now. It is absolutely brilliant. Buying something SH recommended. Thought it was 'meh' at best or just shit but still thinking 'this must be my fault. I'm just not getting it but everyone else is'. So buy the next recommendation to see if things change.
All fed the mantra makeup is important and empowering. In Pretty Honest I was perusing earlier SH keeps using the term 'nerdy' re her interest in beauty. 'Now I might be a beauty nerd but...'. Now I think this is quite calculated. It implies something almost scientific and specialist. Quite niche. Justifying endless buying of 'stuff' because I'm a nerd. Makeup isn't trivial but very important and almost a science. Normalising 30 expensive lipsticks because 'I'm a beauty nerd. You wouldn't understand. And if you don't you just aren't as cool as me. But buy stuff and you might be!'.

I like makeup and wear it but ffs it isn't important. It just isn't.

So much of her cache was founded on that idea of a beauty nerd that I think was less common in 2011ish, the kind of person who knew the stuff that the beauty industry didn't want us to know, like what are the true active ingredients, which of the superdrug brands are last season's debenhams which are the previous season's Chanel etc. The beauty and skincare industry has changed so much since then because women got informed, but because the cat is out of the bag, everyone knows about acids and oils and retinols and vitamins and you can buy for under a tenner, the whole industry is just turning around and saying akshully, you want this fancy £100 magic infantalising lying shit that is still the same thing you can get for a tenner, but it comes in a fancy bottle and you can instagram it for headpats and all those women we liked for sharing that initial knowledge are laughing all the way to those swipeup payola kickbacks.

 

[FeelingGroovy]

I think the Marina Hyde / Piers Morgan revelation is possibly the worst thing I've read on here. I'm off to do an angry IGTV about it.

It's making me *ill*.

 

[Twittrerisyouroffice]

I don't get why Sali is being called out for dishonesty. Her book was called Pretty Honest and I always read the 'pretty' as an adverb meaning 'fairly honest' or 'moderately honest'.

 

[Thistles]

PS I don’t feel virtuous. I feel fucking gobsmacked that the popular media aimed at women is so, so bad that a lowly gossip forum is the smart breath of fresh air I’ve been waiting for. Literally if a GCSE student wrote that piece I would’ve given them a C.

Yes, the consumers that are being targeted are not allowed to critically think, have differing opinion, or call out lack of transparency or the hypocrisy. And yet, those so against diverse opinion, themselves talk about "punching women in the tits", have relentless hateful twitter threads targeting women, trying to get a woman who was self made, sacked etc. We should just blindly support and consume any product marketed, and insecurity created to justify the -need- for a new product, all the while these gatekeepers don't care about the monetry value to the average person, who could never sustain the amount that is being flogged.

Who cares if the influencer claims to be pro-animal rights yet flogs animal tested brands, heaps of limited recyclable material, overpriced "must haves" and isn't transparent that the thing claimed to be loved for years, is just another undeclared AD.

 

[Jelly Bean]

Joining the dots very badly and probably getting the wrong picture but maybe Hemmo and SH fell out over the Esther Coren thing. I *think* someone on here said Hemmo and EC very recently were doing something? Again this could be all wrong.
And SH has gone very quiet on SM. No retweeting of IKs article. No retweeting of the ban Tattle thing. The amount of people not mentioning her video anywhere is quite glaring now. Not even a kindly enquiry on any Twitter post. What on earth possessed her to do that video? She knew full well we knew about the Dawn O'Porter tweets. (Or her minions reading here did as she never did oh no). I suppose she didn't count on the Corens being so rightly aghast at her double standards and broadcasting it. And her defence of that didn't help - that people here only mentioned it because we thought she fancied Giles. She could've easily ridden out the minor embarrassment of knowing this place existed. I kept thinking about what she herself said about how many people she thought were on here 'bullying' her. 14. 'I know there are 14' she said. Out of all your 1000s of followers on GtL, all the buyers of your books, followers on IG, readers of The Guardian, over 125k followers on twitter why the hell would you be so concerned with 14 people quietly grumbling about you on an obscure forum?

 

[Tigerwhocametotea]

I imagine SH is self-employed/freelance, but bloody hell, if I posted something like that video online I would be called straight to HR/OH in the morning - my work would assume I was having a nervous breakdown. (Not in a high profile role, and have about six followers, but you know what I mean.) The follow-up crying video was a particular low point for me, possibly actually worse than the “important statement”.

 

[Mselvista]

Gasp! I had no idea Marina Hyde had a thing with Morgan. Ew. Rather gone down in my estimation now.

Jack Monroe, to me, always comes across as someone with quite major MH problems. Deciding she was transgender and then she wasn’t being quite a big one.

Ash Sarkar? Oh, no My favourite moment of hers is when she tried to claim that Julie Bindel didn’t give a shit about women in prison, providing a Twitter search as “proof”. That’s the same Julie Bindel who founded Justice For Women in 1991. So, I’ve always thought she was a bit of a tool.

Can we not speculate about people's mental health on here?
Also, in my opinion both AS and JB are awful (though yes JB has done a LOT of grassroots stuff supporting da/dv survivors)

Re MH, if you've never shagged an idiot - congratulations. But I've had some shockers in my time and would hate that fact to colour how people view the work I now do in my day job.

Can we not speculate about people's mental health on here?
Also, in my opinion both AS and JB are awful (though yes JB has done a LOT of grassroots stuff supporting da/dv survivors)

Re MH, if you've never shagged an idiot - congratulations. But I've had some shockers in my time and would hate that fact to colour how people view the work I now do in my day job.

I know my post sounds preachy but I dont know how to say it in a way that doesn't.

 

[Thistles]

And considering Lisa wrote a book (an excellent one at that), it's a bit rich to say she's not a writer

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I think previously she was also the Creative Director at No 7, plus has mentioned creating makeup for Shiseido. Along with all her work on tv, magazines, runways, Chanel... her own well liked lipstick collection, plus rings that aren't just gold plated cash grabs. Haven't read her book, but she spoke of it with sincerity, and it obviously has been a long running passion, seeing as she did a full video series on the history of makeup, along with tutorials and collections on her own vintage makeup. Whereas self-confessed socialist SH, puts out a book glorifying the bloody Queen and her colourblocking. She also has a lot of diversity on her channel, different occasions, different needs, showing off different trends from around the world without ever being patronising or needlessely dismissive.

Always thought it odd how Sali or Caroline (afaik) never reference Lisa, but arse lick the rather sexist CT, (heaven forbid a man see you have body hair or pores on your face!!!!). Considering she is one of the most prominent female makeup artists in the UK, and has released a book plus makeup which other's in the media recognised.

Oh well, what has turned me off reading the Guardian's beauty selection most is the sheer hypocrisy, along with just not having much substance. It constantly shills overpriced product, and animal tested product. It never clarifies any ingredients, certifications and so on. Maybe there can be a place for an "AD column" like Sali's which is just the new launches, but I would like to see actual photos, tips on how to reduce waste in terms of skincare/beauty etc, along with showing off more UK based brands that are actually ethical, and not having to be flown around the world just to end up in landfill. Conscious consumerism if you will, because we all can try to be better. Oh and the idea that we "deserve" luxury experiences with our makeup, so can "treat ourselves" with some 50 quid lippie or 30 quid nail varnish, because the packaging is heavy and makes a nice sound... doesn't matter if it's actually crap, it's just about manipulating women to spend money when there are better, more affordable alternatives. Even that suspiciously overpromoted beautypie.. you still have to spend money to "save money".

 

[Jelly Bean]

I have been quietly following the threads since joining on that fateful Friday! However, I have found a community of like minded people (i too must be a skid mark!), have laughed out aloud and followed with interest, the largely witty, sassy, compassionate and intelligent posts that have been written here. The exposure of twitter bullying and sheer ruthlessness of people I respected has been both shocking and eye opening. DOP is ace and has a special place in my heart..especially after mousegate!!
I also, like others, have made purchases that I couldn’t afford in trying to attain something that isn’t real. However, you live and learn, and as long as we do learn (forums like this help!), then hopefully our bank balances and self esteem will be all the better for it

However, can I just add that I have never respected IK!

Welcome! Welcome to the skidmark cave! We all have our tales of woe re expensive/ill advised purchases. You are in a safe space to confess all. 'My name is Birdie and I bought xyz'.

Actually that reminds me. A few years ago SH recommended a women's 'mag' that was different to all the rest. I never usually read them, but thought I'd give it a go. It came in one of those plastic covers so I couldn't read it first. It was Red btw. Well it wasn't terrible but it was just a typical women's magazine. I read it a few times increasingly thinking. I don't get it. What am I missing. I knew she wrote for it so she didn't doing any hoodwinking tbf. I just remember feeling a bit bewildered. Interviews with celebs, the obligatory 'We lived in London but sold our shithole in Hackney to buy a thatched cottage in Devon in a quaint village and I've never been happier' article, buy something expensive to look less foul, advert advert advert. Truly baffling.
I said upthread how I loved Claudia Winkleman on In the Bathroom when SH said to her something 'I love a good mag don't you?' and CW said 'er no I'm an adult'.

 

[Handmaid]

“I never read the comments” = “ I pay Lauren to trawl the comments for any sign of insurgence, cross reference against Tattle.life/Twitter/LinkedIn, file their names/aliases in our ever fattening folder #kindlygifted from Liberty’s stationery dep’t #pressgift and then we wait for the day that these women who have publicly questioned me...well...we...just...wait...

...and the Liberty clothbound folder sits on the windowsill, its floral print (edgy yet twee) fading in the diminishing sunlight of my career...”

 

[Kermy5]

Brilliant. You have articulated so well what is rotten in the house of SH and influencers generally. Actually made me quite sad. We have all been there. All tried to have that sassy girl around town look at vast expense - because that was so normalised. We all bought into the myth that spending money on unsuitable things is empowering. And the next thing. Then the next must have thing. In the light of this debacle I've been reading my copy of Pretty Honest (lent not purchased) and it has not aged well in a few years. Ironic eh? It's just about chucking money at beauty shit as a form of empowerment. I wear makeup and know I probably look better in it but do you know what I actually just don't care that much any more. A Chanel red lippy to be pulled out of my clutch in a restaurant will never ever make me feel better than the knowledge I am the age I am. I may look it. I may not. I am healthy and happy. I'm cross with people like SH for insinuating this wasn't good enough.
Thanks again for that brilliant post which unleashed that rant!

I've just become exhausted at how this shit is never targeted at men. Men can leave the house as they are, they can get wrinkles and it's fine, they don't even have to shave, summer comes and they chuck on shorts and go out while we're supposed to shave and deal with ingrown hairs and rashes and God forbid we don't get a fake tan too. Every ad is telling women we can't age, we must fix ourselves constantly because we aren't good enough as we are. The whole industry can cock off to be honest.

 

[melfish]

View attachment 48599

This says it all. She really does think she's on a different plane

This might be slightly OT, but my first introduction to La Hughes, was back around 2008. We had a mutual friend, and that friend one day said to Sali,why don't you just follow X (me)? Sali's response? "Who is she? She needs to capture my attention with wit for me to follow her back." LMAO

Who would say that? It reeks of insecurity-laced superiority