Common Sense Media Review
By Jenny Nixon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Eye-opening doc uncovers hidden dangers in common cosmetics.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Not So Pretty
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Actress Keke Palmer (Lightyear, Nope) serves as narrator for NOT SO PRETTY, a four-episode investigative documentary uncovering the hidden dangers that lurk in many common cosmetic products that are still on shelves today. Each episode focuses on a different product category (makeup, nails, skin, and hair), and we hear firsthand from scientists, doctors, and consumers who have experienced harmful (and sometimes downright lethal) reactions to everyday items like baby powder, shampoo, and nail polish.
Is It Any Good?
The tone is a bit dry at times, but the series opens up an important conversation about ethics within the beauty industry, and adequate health and safety regulations for consumers and workers alike. Not So Pretty is bound to leave viewers gobsmacked when they see, for instance, a corporation like Claire's denying that their toy eyeshadow palettes contain asbestos -- despite ample evidence from repeated laboratory tests that prove otherwise.
We learn about the slimy methods companies use to shirk responsibility for these issues, and about how frustratingly ineffectual the Food & Drug Administration is because they have no authority when it comes to the regulation of cosmetic products. There's a lot of info relayed here, but episodes are kept short for maximum absorption. Lest you walk away completely despondent after viewing, the show provides recommendations for apps and websites viewers can use to check the safety of the products in their homes, as well as general dos and don'ts and advice on petitions to be signed.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the way the cosmetic companies mentioned in Not So Pretty handled consumer complaints and lawsuits. What would be an appropriate response when a company discovers its products are making people sick?
What are some good ways to make sure your family is using products that are safe? What kind of regulations would you like to see implemented when it comes to these products?
Who do you think is responsible for ensuring the safety of cosmetic products: the manufacturer, the government, or the consumer? Explain why.
TV Details
- Premiere date : April 14, 2022
- Cast : Keke Palmer
- Network : Max
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : August 26, 2022
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