Culture is heavily influenced by the Mass Media. Social changes are tailored to reflect what humans think is “sexy” or “appealing”. Media influences us on what the ideal body is to the style of clothing we wear. The process of becoming “beautiful” varies with each different country from how we apply makeup to achieving the ideal body type. All of this plays into the products we buy or consume to achieve this look.

In this world, humans are similar to us except for a few minor differences, one of which being that they have a mating season. This breeding period lasts for about three months of the year, during which time a male or female is receptive to mating. Throughout the rest of the year, both parties are generally uninterested in sex.

Would it be possible to market beauty products to this species under these circumstances?

Either one of two things is true:

1. Each individual has his/her own breeding season. In that case, if these seasons do not overlap, then you have potential customers all year long. So you just advertise all year long.




2. There is one breeding season. Then, culturally, this is a very important special time of year. There is increased money spent on advertising, and many products are targeted to be sold only this time of year. The market for beauty products spikes during these few months.

Hmmm....if only there was a retail shopping phenomenon in the US and Western Europe that was like this...

Breeding season is Christmas for beauty products

Here in the real world, we already see the overall internet retail sails nearly double for two months out of the year. I'm sure if I investigated some specific categories of goods, you might see up to 50% of sales driven by just those two months.

So, whatever tactics you use to sell things during Christmas in the West, you would use to sell beauty products to the horny near-estrous of your species.

There are more reasons for improving your appearance than just finding a mate

I don't know much about the sociology of your aliens. But for humans, physical attractiveness has many more advantages.

• It makes one appear subconsciously more trustworthy


• It makes one appear stronger and healthier


• It suggests social status


• It improves one's self-esteem

That's why beauty products are also popular with people who are not actively looking for a mate or when they are in a context where it would be inappropriate to do so (like in a business context).

Same way you market seasonal products here on Earth.

Breeding period may be shorter - but then these species would be preparing for it in advance, like here we do for the beach in summer and skiing in winter.

If breeding season is random for all individuals, then some segment of population would be interested in those products throughout the year.