is this a sexist ad?

[jennywhitehorses]

I saw this ad in the beauty department of Boots. It seems to suggest that all women want is sexual attention from men in public whereas in reality women don't like it.

Young women do crave desirability though don't they? I imagine women in their 20s is their target market.

Yeh not all women dislike sexual attention from men! My sister loves it. Some women do actually enjoy attention from men. I don’t like the advert personally but let’s be honest

I'm more concerned about the thinness of the woman

It’s meant to be a sort of pastiche of 1950s pin ups, it’s so over the top with the shirtless men it’s almost homoerotic. I don’t think it’s particularly good advierisfing, mainly because it’s confused—i don’t get why it’s Snow White and she’s in a tropical location? Ah unless it’s bronzer, so it’s meant to be Snow White is no longer Snow White and the dwarves think she looks great? Either way a bit confused and lost in translation.

A lot of makeup aimed at a younger market (which benefit definitely is) plays up sex. Which makes sense, Tbh when you wear makeup it’s usually to look good, exude confidence and appear more attractive. People may “wear makeup for themself” but let’s be honest makeup/advertising companies spend big bucks on market analysis and studying their consumer.

Also Benefit does suggestive kitsch, think Marilyn Monroe singing Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. It’s not meant to be taken that she’s literally going to get gang banged by the backup dancers.

Ffs how is sexist and harmful? Seriously this world has gone funking bonkers. Oh no men looking at a pretty woman..how bloody awful

@Aprild25

Ffs how is sexist and harmful? Seriously this world has gone funking bonkers. Oh no men looking at a pretty woman..how bloody awful

This. Seriously can't get worked up over it. A make up ad, so celebrating what make up does - ie "beautify", right? (For what it's worth I never make up, not that it matters) As for women don't like attention from men, that's an extremely generalising statement, not everyone's the same you know!

She is clothed and the men are not. That is odd.

I think most women do like male attention but I'm not convinced by a crowd of naked men. A strange advert.

I’ve always found sexual attention from strangers to be mildly threatening. Can’t relate to people who want to appeal to men they don’t personally fancy. To be thought presentable, yes, but sexually appealing? No sod off!

I'm more bothered that her legs look really wonky.

REmember the diet coke break adds. Isn,t that as bad. Sex sells. And their selling beuty products.

@june2007

REmember the diet coke break adds. Isn,t that as bad. Sex sells. And their selling beuty products.

Of course we remember. Probably even people who weren't born when it was made (mid 90s was it?) 'remember' it, because it's always cited by somebody as some sort of gotcha.

This suggests South Pacific

I quite like the 50s cartoon pin up style artwork on Benefit make up.
I like Benefit make up actually just wish it was more affordable..

ImEatingVeryHealthilyOhYes it makes some women feel confident/desired/ attractive, some women like to feel that way?? I remember my sister once saying the man you’re with wants other men to want you 😂 no one wants something that no one else wants, not my thoughts just repeating what she said!

Sexist and very dated

@june2007

REmember the diet coke break adds. Isn,t that as bad. Sex sells. And their selling beuty products.

As @ErrolTheDragon says. And even in those the men had jobs. Not just 'random hottie #1'.

It's not on a par with the headless women on film posters though.

It's advertising a perfume called Huula. As in hula hoops, grass skirts, swaying your hips etc etc. Hence South Pacific and palm trees. Is someone playing the ukelele? I think it's clever, with a double twist. A pastiche of the film poster, a woman in a Snow White bodice, and the sailors' hats replaced by dwarf-style beanies.

Of course it's dated. It's a nod to retro/vintage, currently v trendy.

But why is it sexist? Men want women to find them attractive. Women want to be attractive to men. (Most of them, anyway.) What's wrong with that? Without sexual attraction there'd be no human race.

Retro/vintage, on trend about 5 years ago lol

South Pacific x Snow White and the Seven Dwarves .... the am dram Xmas show from hell.

I see the ad as "opposites attract" - women wanting to be desirable to men, and in some cases to other women. It's by choice though, not compulsory.

Some posters on here are just looking to be offended.

The one on the left is trying to look up her skirt.