Interesting photo gallery - top models un-retouched

RoseandJoan

This landed in my inbox this morning. I thought the photos were really interesting and unsurprisingly the girls are all beautiful and really young in their natural state. What do you think?
http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk.....uched.html

12 years ago

General

15 replies

Latest reply was from suzanne

Louise

Veteran

I agree the girls look gorgeous naturally x

12 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

The changes are pretty striking - not really a change for the better or worse, but just how much older they look make up.

12 years ago

medusa

Veteran

Wow! I was amazed how strong my reaction was: I thought every one of the women looked waaaaaay better natural rather than slathered in makeup to within an inch of her life. Without the makeup they look like actual people; with the makeup they look like pieces of plastic.

12 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I agree with Medusa. They all look so much older and a bit tarty with makeup compared to the befores.

I do feel it's easier to step up than step down in terms of maintenance. I wear very little make-up so when I put it on, it's like VA-VOOM! Or as my husband would say, "Who knew you could look so nice!" Whereas my friends who always are made-up go into withdrawal when we go camping or travel together, lest their true (though beautiful) faces be revealed.

Also, I don't know anyone IRL that I find more beautiful in full-on makeup than just a little gloss and liner.

12 years ago

(website)

Veteran

Una, I am sooo with you on that. It took me until after 30 to don mascara daily - and my use is so minimal most people don't see it lol. I have had the same blush for over 10 years - oops. But I don't feel awkward when out swimming or skiing with my friends in Tahoe with only sunscreen on. I have a few GF's who've cocktailed in the casinos for years and they describe it as literally putting on their face when it's time to work. They always look better with just enough makeup to enhance, but not mask.

12 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

Interesting. The girls are naturally pretty, but also look more like the average gal you would see walking down the street instead of these superficial beyond gorgeous ladies shown in magazines. Amazing what make-up and good lighting can do.

12 years ago

Irene

Veteran

Those models are not 'regular pretty', they are beautiful exactly because they have special, striking features that make them stand out and that's why they are the images of campaigns. I don't think it's make up only what makes their faces change so much, although it helps a lot, there is photoshop involved too -and a lot of. And it's also the way they are photographed. Besides, the black and white pictures are alluring, sensitive and very very very beautiful because they capture the model's INNER beauty, which is what you see when you look at them. You normally can't find that in fashion magazines because the aim is not the same.

Thanks for sharing

12 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Mo, you are a natural beauty!

I had a funny mascara conversation with a friend once. We were going skiing and she said "You know your mascara is going to run..." When I told her I wasn't wearing any eye makeup and never wore mascara, she was floored. And I was equally floored to find that she wore it every day. I guess it's one benefit to being dark-haired (and makes up for the five o'clock shadow on my legs!)...

12 years ago

Anonymous

I'm struck that undereye concealer is even a young supermodel's best friend.

12 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I'm definitely on team minimal make-up in real life but the otherworldly glamour of the fashion ads makes me fall hook, line and sinker every time. I like a little escapism with my glossy mag.

12 years ago

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

I don't necessarily think they look 'better' - just different. I would think it quite discordant to see a model wearing thousands of dollars of couture, hand sewn garments and dripping with diamonds, and absolutely no makeup. In my opinion, a model's hair and make-up are part of the canvas that the photographer has to work with.

In real life? Yes, I would think it strange to see glossy-mag level make-up on someone at the supermarket, but I don't think that's a normal occurance.

I agree with some previous posters about trying, in my own life, to make my makeup as natural as possible so that on days wear makeup is not feasible, it won't be such a shock to my system or a blow to my ego. I like makeup as a tool for expression and yes, to help out nature a bit, but I'd like to think I'm not hiding behind it.

Thanks for posting these pix, it has been an interesting read.

12 years ago

suzanne

Active Member

Mmm. I'm torn! Would love to say that they look better without make-up (I don't wear it and I'm always looking for more excuses why I'm fine without it). But I simply don't think so. Without their "slap" the are simply pretty girls with superior bone structure, but that is it. None of the drama that make an international model. Make-up artists are called "artists" for a reason. Sigh. Maybe it is time to consider "colouring" my face after all.

12 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

MPJ, I love your thought process on this issue.

Ah but Suzanne the drama of a runway show or editorial shoot would look incredibly surreal on the average street? By your profile pic I would say you have the make-up balance sussed.

12 years ago

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

Thank you for posting this RoseandJoan - interesting photos and interesting discussion!

i've been photographing myself 4-5 times a week for almost a year now (i blog). the first thing that struck me was the pristinely gorgeous light in the 'no makeup' pix - i can tell you, how you're lit is more important than makeup! also, the models all still present 'their best face' to the camera. posing makes a huge difference, and this includes the face.

in other words, these weren't street candids taken by a non-photog, by any stretch. and i feel that the editors deliberately picked over the top styled 'model' photos to try and increase the contrast. so the concept was interesting, but i feel they stacked the deck - the no makeup pix were still intended and set up to be very flattering, just in a different way. and the ladies do look very nice! happy monday! steph

12 years ago

suzanne

Active Member

Ah! Thanks! (but I can't take the credit, that is my sister's 'artistry' on my face!)

12 years ago

Category