I have fought the good fight. But, despite my best intentions, I have been Goop’d. Baptized into the fold.
For the uninitiated among you, Goop was begun by actress Gwyneth Paltrow. It is a lifestyle site, where Gwyneth and her team share their insights and finds on just about everything, from recipes to skincare to holistic health.
When the site was first announced, I rolled my eyes, truth be told. I did not quite understand where she was headed with it. A lifestyle site? Was she trying to be a younger Martha Stewart, whose site bores my uncrafty, impatient self to tears? And what did Gwyneth know about what I wanted? She is ferried from awards shows and glam parties via limousine, with the best stylists in the world at her fingertips. Our lives couldn’t be more different, as I ferry my children around in an aging Volvo with cheerios remnants buried in the seats. Goop sounded, at first blush, like something a woman with too much time on her hands would start. I was not enticed.
And yet, one day out of sheer curiosity (and a long hold time with the cable company), I clicked on the Goop link Facebook provided me.
It’s been a slippery slope ever since.
Reluctantly, I have moved through five stages. First, denial and isolation. “I do not have a Goop problem. I don’t even think I like Gwyneth Paltrow. I really don’t check the site that often. So what if I now have a couple of odd-looking vials on my bathroom counter that Gwynnie introduced me to? It’s just skincare, right?”
Second, anger. “Who does she think she is? Why would she show me this gorgeous coat/purse/vacation for thousands of dollars? This is ridiculous. I’m not clicking on her site’s goodies anymore. She is out of touch.”
Third, bargaining. “Perhaps just one more peek at what is new this week. I mean, the seasons are changing. Cold and flu season is upon us here in the Midwest. I really owe it to myself just to check out the latest in holistic remedies.”
Fourth, depression. A. Week. Without. Goop. Sucks.
And finally, acceptance. Gwyneth and I share more interests than I thought. The facial oils I’ve bought are amazing. So are the supplements. Checking out her site is like talking to a girlfriend who is more plugged in than I am to what is new and healthy. She introduced me to medical medium Anthony William, who has fresh insights on thyroid disease that make much more sense to me than current treatments. Next, I “met” Annee de Mamiel, a former cancer patient who designs beauty products from all-natural ingredients, free of carcinogens. While the chances of me meeting either of these people in person are slim to none, Goop helped virtually connect me to those whose values mirror mine. Those willing to look (and design) out of the box are not always easy to find in the Midwest.
I find myself feeling grateful. I may actually like Gwyneth. She tests the waters for me. She cares about what goes on and in her body. She believes how you make and market something matters.
I am obviously not alone in my goopiness. Revenues have tripled over the last two years and site visitors have doubled in the last year, according to Fast Company. Part of the reason, I have to believe, is the products she purveys work. I feel better. My skin tone has improved. Products that do what they say they will do are a godsend.
Can I buy the bevy of curated goods at Madison Avenue prices that Goop consistently showcases? No. As a single working mom, I don’t go much beyond facial oils and supplements. But, do they inspire me? Sure. I am not sure I have enough zeroes in my back account to be Goop’s primary target market, but I’m at least tangentially interesting to them.
Bottom line—I’m tired of being sold the usual bill of good by every advertiser out there. Of being told how wonderful for me something is, when it is full of chemicals. Of being told my curvy body should fit into and feel good about clothes made for boy-like mannequins by children in a Third World country. Of doctors prescribing Big Pharma pills for something I might be able to take care of using food or herbs as medicine.
Goop’s team has done something not many can do for me these days. They have inspired my trust. They seem to take a more enlightened approach to everything from cooking, to health, to looking good as I grow older.
A company and a founder with ethics? I’ll take it. Perhaps the world would be a happier place if a few more of us put conscious intention into what we buy. I know for sure that it makes for a happier me.
Consider me Goop’d.
candidkay 
Gweneth Paltrow’s got nothing on you, my friend. She should thank you for making her products look good. xxxooo
Oh my goodness! I need you st the breakfast table each AM:). You are the best kind of cheerleader:). Thank you, sweet friend.
I’m so there. Still in denial.
That’s the first step toward acceptance:).
I dismissed her as “out of touch”…perhaps I should give her another try…
Well, she is with the average woman from a financial perspective, that’s for sure. But, if you can ignore the overpriced clothing, lots of good info on site.
Wow! You are hooked!! I like Goop also although I’ve yet to actually buy anything. I think they do an excellent job with the editorial as you said. Recently, I read one piece on global warming that really helped break it down in a way that was both informative and easy to digest. Did you read that one? I check out the newsletter when it arrives. But I’ve noticed it arrives more frequently…seems they are expanding even larger? Definitely a huge success story for Gwyneth.
I did not see the global warming piece–will have to check it out. I just love that it is all simple, out of the box and not the usual drivel you get on so many sites. And I’ve been impressed with the health/beauty products I’ve bought thus far . . .
Ugh… Now I’m going to have to check it out. I have a feeling I may love it.
I am laughing b/c most people’s first reaction has been “ugh.” No one seems to want to like the site b/c they are not fond of Gwyneth, but the content itself is pretty great. If you can ignore the overpriced clothing and jewelry:).
Ok. You’ve got my curiosity piqued. You had me at medical medium. I believe that every clinic or at least every town should have either a medical intuitive or someone trained in muscle testing, so they can know if a substance (medicine, supplement, food) would benefit a person or not. I’m lucky enough to have a handful if intuitive people in my life who help me out from a naturopathic doctor, to a craniosacral therapist, to a medical intuitive, to several intuitive mediums. I’m glad Gwyneth is putting out such cool stuff, and it sounds out of my budget too, but might be worth a peek at least.
I am very interested in reading the medical medium book. Much of what he says resonates and makes so much more sense than the pill-popping culture we seem to be a part of. She has a lot of good articles also on other aspects of holistic health, even more beauty related. I Love that she is anti-chemical and off for finding natural solutions.
So, Kay, you have me tittering on the edge of the slippery slope, and, while I’m not sure I’ll start down it, but then again, I haven’t looked at my face in the well lit bathroom mirror for three hours. So who knows how this will end.
I hope your bathroom light is not fluorescent! I know no woman who would have invented such harsh lighting:). Check the site out. I must say, I love the eclectic mix and knowing that someone does my homework on what goes into the products, services, books, etc.
So interesting, Kristine. Just read the Thyroid article and it opened my eyes since I have hypothyroidism. Oh God, I might have to succumb and look more closely into Goop.
See? Despite many of us not necessarily embracing Gwyneth herself, the content on the site I find quite good:). I give her credit for pushing the envelope.
Poor Gwyneth. She’s just. . . well, Gwyneth. I’m not sure why people have such strong feelings. She is out of touch, but please find me a celebrity that is in touch. Sure, she once posted something about a vagina steam, but at least she’s not showing her vagina every time we turn around.
As for Goop, I too have been and it’s a lovely site that is very shiny and hydrated. 🙂 There are worse things in life than beautiful things and feeling good. I say keep Gooping. Is that a verb? Can we do that?
Oh, I am laughing. Had forgotten about the steam bit:). I agree with you. Regardless of how we feel about her personally-good or bad-you have to respect someone that’s trying to put their good out there in the world and enlighten a bit. Let’s stay goopy:). I am taking a lot of flak for it so I’ll need you on this one, soul sister.
Nothing wrong with a bit of Goop in your life Kristine! When we do things that make us happy, it helps everyone around us. Although, you probably deserve some commission for promoting her site ha 😀
Ah, yes–but that would make me a smarmy paid brand ambassador. No way:). Not selling out!
I haven’t got past the “pah, out-of-touch celebrity nonsense…” Stage with goop, but I do respond to user reviews so now I’m curious. I totally get the desire to find businesses with a moral compass that I can trust, so thanks for this!
Let me know what you think:). I had the same initial reaction–and then was pleasantly surprised as to most of the content.
Will do!
I don’t like Gwyneth Paltrow so I would never have been attracted to the site – reading this post makes me want to check it out, but I’ll cease and desist so that I don’t get hooked 🙂
I hear you! I had that initial reaction also–and then got hooked without meaning to do so:). You’ll have to let me know if you are able to cease and desist!
Now of course I have to check Goop out right this very minute, and am pretty sure I’ll be hooked too based on your description (: Guess what else – I ferry my children around in an aging Volvo too!
Well, soul sister–I’m not surprised! Re: the Volvo and your future love of Goop. You’ll have to let me know if you like it!