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| I look amazing but do you know what it takes to look this thin in white? |
“Watching these spectacles are a bit like eating a hot fudge sundae... delicious while eating it but you might feel a bit sick afterwards.”
Did you watch the Oscars last night and if so do you feel sick? The quote above is actually from Psychology Today and references a principle called the Social Comparison Theory. It turns out there is scientific backing for your “sickness”. The theory goes that in watching these award shows one can’t help but think about the glitz and glamour involved and feel a little inferior. It’s also the reason why many get a little thrill from the fashion flops, makes us feel a little better.
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| Love Billy but proof that women aren't the only one with hair/makeup/surgical? people |
When I’m getting caught up, what makes me feel better (not that I don’t love a fashion blunder) is the effort involved. I asked my friends fab facialist Joanna Czech (clients include Kyra Sedgwick, Kate Winslet) and author and style expert Amy Tara Koch about the red carpet process. They confirmed that it does in fact take a village, and months of preparation, to preen a celebrity. From their experience you have:
1-2. skin care goddess-esthetician or dermatologist
3. stylist for right dress, shoes and jewels
4. A-list hairdresser
5-6. nutritionist or chef
7. trainer
8. manicurist
9. makeup artist
9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18. many of them with assistants
19, 20, 21 And of course PR and personal assistant(s) of the star
Twenty one people around while you get ready?
Twenty one people around while you get ready?
This must-watch clip was for a print ad not red carpet but sums this process up well.
You watch someone go from plain to perfect via hair (and hair extensions), make-up and of course retouching. The clip takes about 30 seconds to watch and is slightly off-putting. While many of us relate to the person who sits down in the chair, she looks nothing like the person at the end. It’s reminiscent of when Oprah would bravely come on air sans makeup. As I watched the video this I can see how people feel there’s a little deception involved.
But is it lying? If people were food products and they were manipulated to appear completely differently than what I could purchase in the store I would think so. Photoshopping may be more extreme than primping. The American Medical Association adopted a policy on body image and advertising urging advertisers and others to “discourage the altering of photographs in a manner that could promote unrealistic expectations of appropriate body image.”
And it’s not just photoshopping. Remember the Victoria’s Secret model discussing her pre-show food plan. I shouldn’t call it a food plan because it’s comprised of over a week of protein shakes and twice daily workouts. Eventually she’s pulls the shakes to “dry out” before the show. I don’t know how common or uncommon this is. I know she was honest or foolish enough to mention it. She did caution young girls to “not try this at home”; I can guarantee you many did just the opposite.
Watching red-carpet events, fashion shows or reading magazines has different effects on people. Joanna summed it up well saying “I believe some people feel insecure and some inspired”.
Do you think there’s a degree of deception in all that’s involved to be red-carpet ready? Did you watch last night? Do you feel sick today? Any flops you want to mention?
I remember seeing that video when it first came out. So interesting...and you're right, very off-putting. I don't really feel anything at all watching the Oscars, to be honest. They just don't seem...real to me. I'm more likely to compare myself to women that I see in real life. (Not that that's any healthier, of course...body comparisons never lead to good.)
ReplyDeleteSuch a good point Stephanie, I'm with you on real life women. If anything though, I feel I'm more self-competitive. I can see someone who looks great and never feel envious. However, if I feel blechy it's all over.
DeleteI won't lie, I hate the Oscars, and all the hype that comes with it. Nick, however, DVR's it every year. I like watching Billy Crystal, I guess, but I can't stand the red carpet. I don't feel lied to, because I'm not a fool. Just like food, I know we aren't seeing the REAL thing. N one looks THAT good! But I don't blame the stars for taking drastic measures, look how much they get stared at and commented on. I wouldn't do the same thing. It's so lame, and SO not my thing at ALL! I don't even want to watch the Today show this morning because I don't want to hear about it!
ReplyDeleteInteresting you hate them so much Gina, is it just all the hype? I don't blame celebrities or think they they generally feel good with all the judgement. I think the images projected at the end are somewhat dangerous for those who take them at face value, young girls etc. I could live at the gym and not look like Cameron, I know this at my advanced age.
DeleteI dislike all award shows and I do not get the fascination in people watching them. I did catch about 10 minutes of the red carpet last night and it just turns my stomach.. especially when they start talking about who's clothes they are wearing.
ReplyDeleteI watched the beginning to see BC but that was just boring. Give me Ricky Gervais anyday.
I think in general the population is very easily manipulated. We see this every day in politics. People live with 30 second sound bites and the result is that they hold this sound bite as their sword of truth to be defended at all costs.
The approach to food, fashion and glamor is similar. People see the 30 second ads or 30 second interview or 30 second red carpet clip and that is their truth.
It is a sad indication of society (IMO) that many people live by 30 seconds of everything... and lets face it, if you are only going to give 30 seconds of attention, you don't want to be looking at ugly stuff.
I thought Billy was fine especially in light of Anne Hathaway last year. It's a tough job. It did seem a little as though Billy's heart wasn't in it or maybe his plumped up face just couldn't express emotion. Part of what I was trying to show with the explanation above was that that 30 sec, end result above takes hours of preparation. If you compare it to a recipe would we want a salad that has 21 ingredients? We may want to eat it but wouldn't want to make it.
DeleteI love the Oscars, for me it's nostalgic because I've been watching them since I am a little girl. I don't feel that there’s a degree of deception in it. I feel that it's a part of their business. I tend not to compare myself to others....I enjoy admiring the stars on the red carpet. I do agree that it's bad for young girls to adopt these extreme measures and I don't think the Victoria Secret model should have dissclosed this..since so many young girls just want to look and be a Victoria Secret mode.
ReplyDeleteModel :)
ReplyDeleteGot it Ayala and deception might not really be what I meant. I think it's more seeing the end product without the ingredients. The photoshopping is, IMO, sneaky but the more I thought about it insane primping is sort of similar.
DeleteI love the Oscars, and I don't expect the Oscars to reflect every day life at all. I assume that it takes a village to make the Oscar attendees look like that. Otherwise we'd all look that "done" every day.
ReplyDeleteMy flops: Rooney Mara needs to smile every once in a while. And JLo is just so vulgar. My wins: Jessica Chastian in that glorious McQueen and Berenice Bejo in Elie Saab.
I see what you're saying Marie. It's sort of like the christmas tree at the Met, you expect spectacular. However, when it comes to diet and exercise you also have to expect extreme and we have to keep that in mind. JLo- terrible, was that nipple we saw? I didn't like Penelope Cruz either and she's generally one of my favorites. I don't want to admit it because she's an obvious flavor of the month but I loved the dress on George Clooney's date.
DeleteI loved the dress on George Clooney's future ex-girlfriend, and I hope she's enjoying the ride. Oh JLo...so desperate for attention.
DeleteI think award shows are a total waste of time. (Seeing as I work in TV I probably shouldn't say this too loudly!) But I think the whole premise surrounding these sorts of events is fake and pretentious and so utterly boring.
ReplyDeleteYes, I do think there is so my that goes into getting these beautiful ladies ready to look fabulous but I'm not really deceived because it seems like common knowledge that it takes them a whole day to get ready. Anyway, I'm rambling here, forgive me. It's Monday morning. :)
I think you're right... it can be harmful for some girls to see images of (what they think is) perfect women because many girls do compare themselves and don't understand what is going on behind closed doors and the dangerous dietary/exercise plans that some of these women on the red carpet follow. I think many girls would try the protein shake diet after hearing that's what the victoria's secret models do.
ReplyDeleteI don't watch awards shows anymore but I used to when I was younger and I do remember feeling pressure afterwards to exercise more -- and wondering what type of diets they followed to look a certain way. Magazines did the same thing to me. Like I said it doesn't affect me anymore but I'm sad for the younger generation of girls that it does affect. It's just a whole lot of wasted worry for something that is not even real.
Lisa, that's the thing "real" and reality. Show me an elite runner or even a workout instructor with an amazing physique and part of me thinks they get that from commitment to their workouts, eating (and yes genetics too). Show me an actress or a model and there is surgery, hair extensions, spray tans, body treatments, injections, starvation diets. So I can eat well, exercise maybe get my hair done and still never look that way (truth be told I don't want to look that way).
DeleteI like some shows, the Grammys are fun to watch for the music. I find the Golden Globes a nice show too. These Oscars? If you don't work in the industry (or if you do) seriously painful. Art direction? Cinematography? My 7 year old asked what it meant and I couldn't explain. It may be common knowledge that it takes a lot to put someone down the red carpet but I still find what they look like "pre" a world apart from post. The transformation takes a lot more than we all on a given day.
ReplyDeleteI only caught 5 minutes. I did see Angelina Jolie. I do think it can be easy to compare but we have to remember it takes a village like you pointed out.
ReplyDeleteAngelina is just a freak of nature (mean that in a good way) I bet without anyone at all she looks perfect.
DeleteI half-watched the red carpet and felt sick as I was half-watching it! Haha, it just makes me feel shallow. I do love seeing the dresses though. And I think I feel separated enough by the "tv" element to not feel the need to compare myself with these people. As long as I never have to see myself on tv, I think i'm good :) I do love when stars are honest about how shocking their routines/diets are - it's refreshing. Yet I agree-- I think too specific is probably harmful and may lead to following.
ReplyDeleteYes, as Kim Catrall has done (I've blogged about) tell us it takes work and we'll all feel better. As for you feeling sick thanks for being honest, many people do.
DeleteThanks for sharing that Dove clip - I love their campaign.
ReplyDeleteI don't watch ANY award shows. I show my support by watching the actual movies. I do however enjoy perusing people.com the next day to see the fashion. I love the fashion.
Here's my take on weight...I don't want to live the way they need to live to have their body. I don't want to never eat carbs or have dessert. I want to live life and if I am 10 pounds heavier so be it.
I prefer the red carpet to magazines as I like to choose who I think looks good or not versus the magazine's choices (which I assume had a hidden agenda). While I'm against extreme dieting, with my occupation I feel weight matters.
DeleteOh - weight DEFINITELY matters! But I am ok with my weight knowing I can indulge in some foods. I wouldn't gorge out and allow myself to become a blimp!
DeleteOprah was smart to show up without makeup. That way the media can't splash a make-up free photo of her everywhere and exclaim to one and all how horrible (their opinion) she looks. Dealing with those silly magazines might be better for the stars if they took the same approach. I don't watch any of the award shows only because I'm not interested. For a long time I've been of the mind that I am as interested in them as they are in me. Which is to say, of course, not interested.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had zero interest I do Caron. I like to see what people are wearing, how the look. As for Oprah, I think they still used no makeup, unflattering photos as they do with any celebrity.
DeleteOh, I feel bad saying it...but Billy's FACE! Ohmygawd. I think aging looks better on people than that much plastic.
ReplyDeleteIn answer to your question I think in this day and age we are all on to the "deception." I don't feel lied to. I just think about how hungry most of those ladies must be and how miserable their dates must feel being with someone who has not eaten solid food in 2 wks. All in all. let's be honest, they are all famous and rich and they got their for a reason. They all looked great in comparison to the average Jane. That's why they are stars!
Would the average Jane look just as good given the 21 person work up? Yes, Billy looked terrible. Salt and pepper beats that too-black hair. And he had the swollen, shiny too many derm trips look. Now he and Meg Ryan are "alike" again. See Caron, I can't control myself.
DeleteI don't blame you! All that pressure must be ghastly, though.
DeleteThere definitely is deception but we're all aware of the effort that goes into being red-carpet ready. It doesn't bother me. There weren't really any misses. I didn't care for JLo's outfit even though its on the "best of" lists. I did like Michelle William's look.
ReplyDeleteShocked booby-licious constitutes "best dressed".
ReplyDeleteDidn't watch any of it this year, although I have in the past. At my "mature" age, I don't feel deceived, but I'll admit I do get a boost of confidence everytime I see a story on stars without their makeup. That being said, I absolutely cringe to think of the effect photoshopping and these extreme dieting/exercise regimes has on young girls body image. I think my 10 yo is fairly secure with her body image, but it's an uphill battle I fight on a regular basis.
ReplyDelete