Week 3 (08/22-08/28)
The daunting task of writing the infamous lit review lies ahead, but with Ms. Haag's support and guidance this week (along with her insane PowerPoint), I have become more assured that it's quite doable when carefully thought out.
Now we are all dividing our topics into subtopics to help organize our thoughts and form a rudimentary road map for the lit review. The subtopics I have chosen are natural makeup, unnatural makeup, health studies, makeup ingredients, green consumerism, consumer demand (for cosmetics specifically), cosmetic marketing, and branding cosmetics.
The contrast between the subtopics health studies and green consumerism is important for showing the context behind and significance of researching consumer preference for natural cosmetics and whether or not this preference is warranted. The difference between natural and unnatural makeup will also have to be clearly defined for the reader, including the different ingredients in both products and the resulting differences in quality/effectiveness (e.g. shelf life, how well it stays on the face, whether or not it causes breakouts). To formulate my hypothesis, I will need to compare such differences with the current consumer demand (i.e. besides the growing preference for natural ingredients, what qualities do they value most in their makeup?) to see which they should "ideally" prefer. Since branding plays a key role in swaying consumer opinion, and one of my test groups will include the brand names on the products, it is also important to research the effects of makeup brand names on consumer choice/thought in order to make my hypothesis even more accurate.
As far as interesting breakthroughs this week, I have found two foundational academic journal articles that detail health research on the chemicals in unnatural makeup. Both articles compile many studies by the CDC, FDA, and CIR to demonstrate that the concentrations of chemical additives in cosmetics do not cause any noticeable health defects. Next week, I plan to start reading more on green consumerism and marketing, that is, how both of them have affected consumer thinking and their preference for natural vs. unnatural products.
I know that I have a lot to accomplish in the coming weeks. If I've noticed anything, it's that a lot of thought goes into building the framework for the lit review and finding the perfect sources for it. However, I am confident that my seminar skills will go a long way, and I am actually excited to take up the challenge and learn more about cosmetic marketing along the way. :)
(412)
Friday, August 26, 2016
Saturday, August 20, 2016
Narrowing the Focus
Week 2 (08/15-08/21)
One of the most valuable lessons I learned in AP Seminar is the importance of going into research with an open mind, and, once again, my original perspective on a topic has been challenged.
As an active consumer of cosmetic products, I have always been bombarded by the ideas that natural products are better than synthetic ones and that chemical additives are, well, "evil." My esthetician religiously preaches the use of products "without chemical fillers," and my older cousin Erika has become so paranoid about the potential health detriments posed by synthetic ingredients that she is moving toward making all her makeup and personal care products from scratch at home. Until now, I too have always thought that "natural" meant healthier and higher quality.
Nevertheless, after researching and expecting to find articles on harms of drug store makeup brands, I have found that the fear of chemical additives is actually quite unwarranted. While many companies use minute concentrations of chemical additives to enhance the quality or functionality of their products, scientific testing by the FDA and other organizations has shown that such small quantities have no adverse health effects. The bad rap the industry receives is based on testing of these chemical additives in much larger quantities in animal studies, studies which shouldn't even be relevant to cosmetic products.
Consumers, however, have been increasingly drawn toward "natural" makeup products, and an increasing number of companies are focusing on creating and marketing natural cosmetics. As part of a larger "green consumer" societal movement, people generally buy "natural" or "organic" under the premise that such products are better for their personal health, the environment, and are higher quality.
The apparent contradiction between consumer beliefs and scientific reality was what ultimately led me to narrow down my focus. I'm going to explore whether or not, with marketing ploys removed, consumers still prefer natural cosmetics over synthetic ones. Such research will be valuable because it will help determine whether consumers actually prefer natural products (in terms of quality), or whether they are simply succumbing to marketing ploys or societal pressures.
Although conducting my own research is still far off, I have brainstormed some compelling ideas this week. Currently, I see myself gathering different brands of makeup, a couple high-end that take pride in being "all natural" (e.g Jane Iredale and bareMinerals), a couple high-end brands that use chemical additives (e.g. Clinique, Dior, and M.A.C.), and some drug store brands that also contain chemical additives (e.g. Maybelline and Covergirl). I would create a test group and apply each type of makeup to participants, asking which sample they like the best. All samples would be stripped of branding, and participants would not know whether each makeup is natural or unnatural, so the results would determine whether consumers actually detect superior quality in natural makeup, or whether they simply buy natural makeup because they feel pressured to do so.
Obviously, my topic is still too broad in that I have no clue what specific type of makeup I am going to study (e.g. foundation, eyeshadow, etc.). Also, I may have to choose a specific type of "natural" marketing to include in my study (e.g. choosing to explore the effects of negative attacks on unnatural makeup to promote natural makeup as opposed to looking into the effects of pushing the positives of natural makeup, or vice versa). As far as continuing the refining process, I think that the process will happen naturally as I continue reading, compiling sources for my annotated bibliography, and gaining a clearer picture of my own research method.
Speaking of continuing to compile sources, there are a few main areas I should focus on. First, I need to make sure I have enough sources justifying that unnatural makeup is not harmful to health and that the chemical composition of it may actually be superior to natural makeup in some cases. These sources, when combined with articles that articulate the green consumer movement in the cosmetic industry, will show the contrast that makes looking into the issue interesting and significant. To set the stage for my own research, it would also be helpful to find data on what brands of makeup consumers are actually buying. Comparing the numbers of people who buy each brand in reality with the data I collect in my study will determine whether or not consumers are being significantly swayed by the marketing. Through continuing to find sources, I'm hoping to narrow down the brands and type(s) of makeup I will use in my study. Also, if I find that there is a specific marketing strategy common to multiple types of "natural" makeup companies or particularly prominent in the green consumer movement, I may focus in on that for my research.
Ending on an enthusiastic and less technical note, I am super excited to continue exploring cosmetic marketing! The thought of my personal study already has me itching to find out the results. :)
(824...sorry, I just got super into this post)
One of the most valuable lessons I learned in AP Seminar is the importance of going into research with an open mind, and, once again, my original perspective on a topic has been challenged.
As an active consumer of cosmetic products, I have always been bombarded by the ideas that natural products are better than synthetic ones and that chemical additives are, well, "evil." My esthetician religiously preaches the use of products "without chemical fillers," and my older cousin Erika has become so paranoid about the potential health detriments posed by synthetic ingredients that she is moving toward making all her makeup and personal care products from scratch at home. Until now, I too have always thought that "natural" meant healthier and higher quality.
Nevertheless, after researching and expecting to find articles on harms of drug store makeup brands, I have found that the fear of chemical additives is actually quite unwarranted. While many companies use minute concentrations of chemical additives to enhance the quality or functionality of their products, scientific testing by the FDA and other organizations has shown that such small quantities have no adverse health effects. The bad rap the industry receives is based on testing of these chemical additives in much larger quantities in animal studies, studies which shouldn't even be relevant to cosmetic products.
Consumers, however, have been increasingly drawn toward "natural" makeup products, and an increasing number of companies are focusing on creating and marketing natural cosmetics. As part of a larger "green consumer" societal movement, people generally buy "natural" or "organic" under the premise that such products are better for their personal health, the environment, and are higher quality.
The apparent contradiction between consumer beliefs and scientific reality was what ultimately led me to narrow down my focus. I'm going to explore whether or not, with marketing ploys removed, consumers still prefer natural cosmetics over synthetic ones. Such research will be valuable because it will help determine whether consumers actually prefer natural products (in terms of quality), or whether they are simply succumbing to marketing ploys or societal pressures.
Although conducting my own research is still far off, I have brainstormed some compelling ideas this week. Currently, I see myself gathering different brands of makeup, a couple high-end that take pride in being "all natural" (e.g Jane Iredale and bareMinerals), a couple high-end brands that use chemical additives (e.g. Clinique, Dior, and M.A.C.), and some drug store brands that also contain chemical additives (e.g. Maybelline and Covergirl). I would create a test group and apply each type of makeup to participants, asking which sample they like the best. All samples would be stripped of branding, and participants would not know whether each makeup is natural or unnatural, so the results would determine whether consumers actually detect superior quality in natural makeup, or whether they simply buy natural makeup because they feel pressured to do so.
Obviously, my topic is still too broad in that I have no clue what specific type of makeup I am going to study (e.g. foundation, eyeshadow, etc.). Also, I may have to choose a specific type of "natural" marketing to include in my study (e.g. choosing to explore the effects of negative attacks on unnatural makeup to promote natural makeup as opposed to looking into the effects of pushing the positives of natural makeup, or vice versa). As far as continuing the refining process, I think that the process will happen naturally as I continue reading, compiling sources for my annotated bibliography, and gaining a clearer picture of my own research method.
Speaking of continuing to compile sources, there are a few main areas I should focus on. First, I need to make sure I have enough sources justifying that unnatural makeup is not harmful to health and that the chemical composition of it may actually be superior to natural makeup in some cases. These sources, when combined with articles that articulate the green consumer movement in the cosmetic industry, will show the contrast that makes looking into the issue interesting and significant. To set the stage for my own research, it would also be helpful to find data on what brands of makeup consumers are actually buying. Comparing the numbers of people who buy each brand in reality with the data I collect in my study will determine whether or not consumers are being significantly swayed by the marketing. Through continuing to find sources, I'm hoping to narrow down the brands and type(s) of makeup I will use in my study. Also, if I find that there is a specific marketing strategy common to multiple types of "natural" makeup companies or particularly prominent in the green consumer movement, I may focus in on that for my research.
Ending on an enthusiastic and less technical note, I am super excited to continue exploring cosmetic marketing! The thought of my personal study already has me itching to find out the results. :)
(824...sorry, I just got super into this post)
Friday, August 12, 2016
The AP Research Journey Begins!
Week 1 (08/08-08/14)
Well, it's senior year and I must say I'm super excited to dive into AP Research!
I came into the class with the specific goal of using my research to explore my intended major, Chemical Engineering, which involves applying chemical principles to manufacturable products so that they can be more easily produced and satisfy consumer demands. However, being new to the field of engineering, I found that it might be fun and valuable for me to apply chemistry to a product that I am familiar with. So, lo and behold, I have decided to research the chemistry behind cosmetics, which I have cherished since 7th grade, when my older cousin Erika sold me a bareMinerals starter kit and taught me how to do my own makeup.
Something that has always concerned me, and something that is currently a growing issue in the cosmetic industry, is the desire for natural minerals (as opposed to harmful chemicals) to be incorporated into makeup products. After doing some preliminary research, I have found that both consumer demand and government regulation are driving cosmetic companies to pursue "all natural" or "organic" products. I intend to explore this trend through sociological, economic, and medical lenses in order to see how consumer preference affects cosmetic markets, how companies integrate natural ingredients (especially since most of them involve higher costs), and how "natural" products actually affect consumer health. (I put natural in quotes because sometimes producer claims can be misleading. For example, bareMinerals still contains unnatural fillers in their foundations).
Going forward, I will try to narrow down my topic focus to a specific product (I am currently playing with the idea of researching foundation to explore the effects unnatural fillers and chemicals, or lack thereof in higher-end, boutique products like Jane Iredale). I think that going through the lenses and looking up more articles on EBSCO and JSTOR will help me find currently pressing issues (or products that are currently causing the most concern). Eventually, I hope to have a specific product so that I can start exploring the chemistry behind natural and artificial branches of it, how it affects consumer health, and how companies can act going forward to improve products in a cost effective manner.
Also noteworthy, at the very end of the week, I discovered that I have a direct contact to Jane Iredale, the founder and head of a company that produces 100% natural makeup products. I will reach out to her in the coming week to see what the company is currently pursuing and whether or not I can get directly involved with them when conducting my research.
(436)
Well, it's senior year and I must say I'm super excited to dive into AP Research!
I came into the class with the specific goal of using my research to explore my intended major, Chemical Engineering, which involves applying chemical principles to manufacturable products so that they can be more easily produced and satisfy consumer demands. However, being new to the field of engineering, I found that it might be fun and valuable for me to apply chemistry to a product that I am familiar with. So, lo and behold, I have decided to research the chemistry behind cosmetics, which I have cherished since 7th grade, when my older cousin Erika sold me a bareMinerals starter kit and taught me how to do my own makeup.
Something that has always concerned me, and something that is currently a growing issue in the cosmetic industry, is the desire for natural minerals (as opposed to harmful chemicals) to be incorporated into makeup products. After doing some preliminary research, I have found that both consumer demand and government regulation are driving cosmetic companies to pursue "all natural" or "organic" products. I intend to explore this trend through sociological, economic, and medical lenses in order to see how consumer preference affects cosmetic markets, how companies integrate natural ingredients (especially since most of them involve higher costs), and how "natural" products actually affect consumer health. (I put natural in quotes because sometimes producer claims can be misleading. For example, bareMinerals still contains unnatural fillers in their foundations).
Going forward, I will try to narrow down my topic focus to a specific product (I am currently playing with the idea of researching foundation to explore the effects unnatural fillers and chemicals, or lack thereof in higher-end, boutique products like Jane Iredale). I think that going through the lenses and looking up more articles on EBSCO and JSTOR will help me find currently pressing issues (or products that are currently causing the most concern). Eventually, I hope to have a specific product so that I can start exploring the chemistry behind natural and artificial branches of it, how it affects consumer health, and how companies can act going forward to improve products in a cost effective manner.
Also noteworthy, at the very end of the week, I discovered that I have a direct contact to Jane Iredale, the founder and head of a company that produces 100% natural makeup products. I will reach out to her in the coming week to see what the company is currently pursuing and whether or not I can get directly involved with them when conducting my research.
(436)
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