Cosmetic Emergency explores the idea of beauty through a collage of live action and lyrical animations. A free-form take on the current trend of cosmetic obsession and the immortal quality of painting, the film searches for «what's on the inside». Topical news stories (such as the US military offering free cosmetic surgery) and musical film sequences are created with paint-on-glass animation, found footage and documentary techniques. The music was commissioned for the film. Selected musicians, including New Zealand's Hip-Hop artist, «Coco Solid» and «Half Japanese» founder Jad Fair, wrote and recorded humorously cynical songs about the cosmetic craze. Also included is a rare appearance by the Dutch Ambassador of Cosmetic Surgery, Marijke Helwegen.