Celebrities are everywhere.  Not only in the films they star in, the music videos they perform in or the runway they strut down but on our tv screens promoting some of the latest beauty products.

These familiar faces may not even really like the products they are selling but they are signed up by the biggest brands in an attempt to persuade us, the customer, to buy the advertised items.  If you think about it; it’s an easy way for these household names to get extra money and publicity.  The only catch is loyalty.  Once signed to a company the celebrities must only be seen to use that brand’s products.  Not only that, but they cannot be seen to bring bad press to the company either.  Pressure all round it seems!

Celebrities who have got into trouble:

Cheryl Cole:

Cheryl has advertised hair products on our tv screen for as long as I can remember now, but the geordie lass got into trouble when it was revealed she was wearing hair extensions when promoting restoring shampoo and conditioner.  She was not dropped by the brand but it caused a lot of controversy in the press.  You may see that since then; in a small font at the bottom of the advert; something along the lines of Cheryl is wearing hair extensions.  Well done L’Oreal!

Kate Moss:

Kate was reported to have been dropped as Rimmel’s main face after she was spotted taking Cocaine.  Rimmel began using other celebrities in their new campaigns and product launches in an attempt to repair their reputation.

Tiger Woods:

With Tiger Woods being in the media limelight after committing adultery, Gillette and other big brands such as Gatorade, decided to cut ties with the golfing star.  The loss of million dollar endorsements was a massive set-back for Woods but the brands were only keen to use him as long as his image was reputable.

I’d love to say I don’t get sucked into the marketing ploys companies use to sell their products, but I’m sure at some point I’ve been drawn to one product over another similar one; simply because a celebrity I liked was promoting it.  I hate that that’s the case, but we are living in a society where celebrities have a lot of influence on our behaviour.

Lets play a game (no cheating now)

How to play

Look at the products below and guess the celebrity face to match

Number 1

Number 2

Number 3

Number 4

Number 5

If you thought that was easy don’t get too complacent, I’m going to make things a little harder. Let’s see if you can name the celebrity simply by looking at the product.

Number 6

Number 7

Number 8

Number 9

Number 10

BONUS QUESTION

Name 4 celebrities that have appeared in a Rimmel advert.  1 point for each correct name.

WARNING ANSWERS BELOW

ANSWERS

1. Mylene Klass ( Promoting Pantene ProV Volume and Body range)
2. Vanessa Hudgens ( Promoting Neutrogena Wave)
3. Penelope Cruz ( Promoting L’Oreal Elnett Hairspray)
4. Eva Longoria (Promoting L’Oreal Volume Million  Lashes Mascara)
5. Scarlett Johansson (Promoting Calvin Klein Eternity Moment)
6. Liv Tyler (Promoting Givenchy Very Irresistable)
7. Alexandra Burke (Promoting Sure for Women)
8. Jessica Alba (Promoting Revlon Lipstick)
9. Cheryl Cole (Promoting L’Oreal Elvive Full Restore 5 range)
10. Davina McCall (Promoting Garnier Nutrisse Hair Colour)

Bonus – Kate Moss, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Lily Cole, Georgia May Jagger

You will now have some idea of how much celebrities influence you; possibly without you even realising it.  The higher the score the more likely it is that celebrities are influencing what you buy.

Stephy Scribble

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