Memo to Allure: Celebrities Not Always Trendsetters

Dear Allure,

We’ve just finished reading “15 Years of Beauty” in your March issue, an article that promised to explore “the icons, the innovations, and the inspirations” in fashion and beauty over the last decade and a half.

Admittedly, we weren’t sure what to expect.  But we were pleasantly surprised by the reasonably insightful inclusion of influential events like Hillary Clinton’s makeover and the publication of Naomi Wolf’s book The Beauty Myth.  Of course, you also had to go for the obvious:  the “Rachel” haircut (which we’ve now seen so many millions of times we could cut that style), Sex and the City, and thong underwear.

But there are two things on your list that we’re quite certain don’t belong, both from 2003—was that a slow year?  Anyway, let’s be clear: Newlyweds was not a watershed moment for anyone but Jessica Simpson and fellow dumb-on-camera starlets.  And the Madonna-Britney Spears-Christina Aguilera makeout session at the MTV Video Music Awards? 

We’re guessing that sordid incident inspired no one but teenage boys, if you know what we mean.  And we think you do.

Anyway, surely one or two things more relevant, less calculated, and not quite so icky took place in 2003.  We eagerly await your revisions. 

Love,

Glossed Over

Photo courtesy of MTV