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Makeover Mania!
by Christy Brownlee, 08.19.03
"A lot of times, you might not even recognize that person you saw on the cover of a magazine ..." |
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Makeovers are hot right now — from the covers of your favorite fashion magazines to almost every channel on TV, you can hardly turn around without seeing someone's absolutely mahvelous new look. But before you pull out the camera and start prepping for your own "before" and "after" shots, keep this in mind: makeovers aren't exactly what they appear.
Myth #1: What You See Is What You Get
Those magazine cover girls and cover guys are pretty hot stuff after their makeovers ... or, are they? According to Diane York Goldman, a former model and author of Beauty Basics for Teens, a team of experts can take hours to morph those people into picture-perfect shape.
Makeup artists cover flaws with plenty of goop; hair stylists tease, tuck, and spray hair into perfection; and a team of lighting professionals picks the ideal color, intensity, and angle to illuminate the model's face. And there's also an artist to airbrush away any "flaws" that the rest of the crew might have missed. "A lot of times, you might not even recognize that person you saw on the cover of a magazine if you saw him or her shopping at the mall," said Goldman.
Do you have hours a day to devote to your new look and a team of stylists at your beck and call? If not, then don't expect to look like a model post-makeover.
Myth #2: A Major Image Overhaul Is Always a Great Idea
Let's face it: you can only do so much unhealthy damage with a little hairspray and some bellbottom pants. But hey, why stop there? Some people get so obsessed with creating a new look that they'll stop at nothing, including serious surgery. "You could be knocked out for five or six hours to get a nose job," said Goldman. And that doesn't include the weeks of recovery you'll have to spend wearing a bandage on your schnoz.
Hey, there's nothing wrong with cosmetic surgery, per se. But if something isn't broken, there's no need to fix it — especially if the "fix" is permanent.
Myth #3: It's Easy to Create a Fabulous New You!
There are still a few weeks until school starts, and that's just enough time to change your wardrobe, hair, skin, body, personality, friends, life. ... But, wait — not so fast! It's impossible to revamp your entire image, even if you really try. "Even if you want to let go of certain things, sometimes it's difficult — you have traits that are innate," said Goldman. You might be stuck with skin that sunburns easily, a voice that sounds like your mom, or a preference for plaid pants — and that's okay. If everyone looked and sounded like some chi-chi model-slash-actress, the world would be a very boring place.
Myth #4: This Eye Shadow Will Change Your Life!
Next time you find your eyes glued to a makeover show, take a closer look. See something familiar? Most of these hour-long productions are trying to sell you something, just like their 30-second commercial cousins. While these "makeovers" are all about product placement, you don't have to fall prey. Take my word: nothing you buy will transform your life.
The Bottom Line
Sprucing up your look may make you feel more confident and put a little spring in your step. Just start small and easy — try on a new style next time you go shopping, take a chance when you get that next haircut, or trade in your plain-Jane sneakers for that funky pair of shoes that makes you feel like kicking butt! Just remember — a makeover is not a miracle. It probably won't make you look like a model, and it definitely won't create a whole new you — and why would you want to do that anyway? |
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