Why is it that some people don’t show their face–or a clear picture of it–on Facebook? Or on LinkedIn or other social media sites? Doesn’t it disappoint you when you can’t tell what a person really looks like?
Let’s face it: People want to see your face, and you want to see theirs. If someone catches your eye because of his or her clothes, hair or body, you eventually want to see the person’s face. Right? Faces and their expressions communicate. Even little babies stare at faces, and smile back at smiling faces. Women spent a fortune on cosmetics to make their faces look better, which is okay, as long as they decorate it and not disguise it. Our face is the most identifying and unique tag that each of us has, so let it show, especially if you are on social media to be social.
albubba
BiOstar
Years ago, as the head of the PR department for a large corporation, I had a woman on my staff who was smart, pleasant and capable. She was also obese, had long greasy hair, did not wear make up, and had body odor. One day she asked me why I never sent her on business trips. I closed the door and reminded her that our PR department represented the company, which sold personal care products! We had a talk about first impressions. She explained she had financial problems, uncontrollable weight, and too many family members using one bathroom. I sympathized, but told her that even her fellow employees would respect her more if made some improvements and displayed more self-respect. It was a painful discussion.
She cut her hair short and started wearing make-up and nail polish. She bought a new outfit. That was about the best she could do, but she tried, and I believe it made a difference. Nevertheless, I think she resented my candor with her, and the fact that I never did send her on a business trip.
I still believe I did the right thing. What do you think?
Halloween is a fun day to dress up like somebody or something other than who you are. The options abound, but it seems boys who really want get into the true ghoulish spirit of Halloween choose to be monsters or freaks, whereas girls opt to be princesses or beauty queens, even at adult costume parties. You will see an occasional Superman, but more likely the Incredible Hulk. Or a fireman, but more often something like a burn victim. Among the girls there can be wicked witches, but they are definitely in the minority. I scanned a couple hundred stock photos of people in costumes, only to find plenty of evidence that supports my assumption.
The recent “100 Most Beautiful” issue of People magazine included pictures of 11 celebrities without makeup. A series of covers of the French version of Elle magazine features movie stars with no makeup or retouching.
“There is a hunger for authencity,” said the editor of Glamour in the May 28 issue of The New York Times.
Complaints about the unattainable standards of beauty presented by the media have surfaced with different degrees of intensity over the years, but more so now because of the digital power to lengthen necks, enlarge eyes, trim down noses, plump up lips, and raise checkbones. To see how it is done, go to YouTube and search for Extreme Beauty Makeover. The video by Dove is among the best.
Skillfully applied makeup can make the average non-model out for the evening look more appealing, and that’s okay. As for the movie stars, we expect them to look spectacular, but when Photoshop makes them unrecognizable, their beauty becomes a hoax that everyone can see.
Photo by Berta!
As predicted, singing sensation Susan Boyle has been touched up–hair dyed and restyled, eyebrows plucked. According to the Associated Press article I read, fashion experts say she has taken years off her looks. Enough fuss has been made over what’s the right thing to do that she might stop there, but will she? Should she? Will letting her hair grow, her weight drop, and her non-existent wardrobe blossom turn people off?
Personally, I think not. With our global focus on beauty, I have a hunch that most people will be pleased that she has been given a chance to have an overhaul, considering it part of her success story. What woman doesn’t want to look the best she can, short of surgery and starving herself? How can she remain a common villager now that she has been discovered?
First impressions are important, and tend to be visual. We were stunned by the voice that came from an unmarked box, but now that we know what’s inside, we expect some gift wrapping to match it.
