Reductress: Real Women, Real Funny

by Kelly Maxwell

Tired of getting your shits and giggles with that big ol’ side of testosterone? How many times have you had the “women are freaking funny!” conversation? Comedy gals, this one is for us! The site aims to ‘be the ultimate source for women’s media satire, reaching across multiple channels, genders and subcultures.”

The Reductress is a new site and magazine aimed at ladies who love to laugh and are tired of searching for their kicks. It is a “parody magazine that aims to embody the patronizing tone of women’s media to show the absurdity of the ‘empowered woman’ in consumer culture.” According to the two founders, Beth Newell and Sarah Pappalardo, Reductress started with the question “Why isn’t there a web magazine that helps other women become the unique, irreverent individuals they are meant to be, and we already are?” BAM. Comedic genius was born.

The site is slanted towards a quirky Onion-esque voice and almost fools you with each headline. The topics covered include: shoddy love & sex advice, patronizing self-help and empowerment pieces, questionable beauty and fashion tips, un-sourced celebrity gossip, and rampant product placement. Remember that gagging, sick feeling you get while reading Cosmo? This site is ALL about that. My favorite posts so far have been: How to Break Your Promotion to Your Man Without Emasculating Him, Real-Life Trauma: MY Best Friend Stole My Baby Name, and Five-Food Based Substitutes For Love.

Images and quotes via Reductress.com

You may also like

Get the print magazine.

The best of BUST in your inbox!

Subscribe to Our Weekly Newsletter

About Us

Founded in 1993, BUST is the inclusive feminist lifestyle trailblazer offering a unique mix of humor, female-focused entertainment, uncensored personal stories, and candid reporting that tells the truth about women’s lives.

©2023 Street Media LLC.  All Right Reserved.