women in london - wen - reaction to cosmetics

I am looking for women willing to tell their story to the media, to help secure coverage of the important issue of potentially harmful chemicals in cosmetics. Our work on the topic is generating lots of media interest but the one question the journalists always ask is "have you got any case studies?" It helps them to put the story across to their audience if they have real people willing to talk about their own experiences.

For instance, a journalist is currently looking for a woman who's had a strong allergic reaction to cosmetics or toiletries for a feature in the new weekly glossy, Grazia.

So if you or anyone you know:

has had an instant reaction to something, such as a moisturiser, eye shadow, make-up, shampoo or hair dye,
has developed a sensitivity to a cosmetic after using it for a while, or
believes current skin problems, multiple chemical sensitivity or other health problems can be attributed to earlier use of some cosmetic or toiletry, and
you/they are willing to be interviewed by the media,

please let me know. Preferably they will want a photo as well, either supplied by you or taken by them.

I will need:

name, town and daytime phone number
age (sorry if this seems ageist but many magazines want case studies of people who fit the age range of their readers. It's no good having a story about a 60 year old in a mag for 20 year olds because the readers won't identify with her)
brief description of you and your cosmetics story, eg., teacher and mother of two, started using eye shadow at 13, developed eczema a few months later but didn't tie it to the eye shadow until she stopped using it and the symptoms disappeared. Now gets an attack every time she uses any make up...
whether you are prepared to be photographed

If you are concerned about confidentiality please talk to me as some media may be willing to run your story without naming you, but the preference is for people willing to be identified.

As it's difficult to get coverage without case studies and as so few people are aware that their cosmetics and toiletries might damage their health, it's really important that people do speak up about it.

If you want to find out more about the issue, visit http://www.wen.org.uk/cosmetics

I look forwarded to being bombarded with your stories!

Thanks

Liz Sutton
Press & Information Co-ordinator, Women's Environmental Network

Email: info@wen.org.uk

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