Why You’ll Never Look As Good As A Victoria’s Secret Model
Look at the pictures below and see how beautiful these women are. They are just like you. They often arrive at our studio with no confidence about how they look. They rarely dress up, many never wear make-up. See if you think they’ve been over photoshopped. I want skin to look like skin (just clean and healthy), curves to look like curves, lines to look like lines (The ageing process can be a little harsh sometimes so we aim to slow it down a little but a mature woman should still look her age, just the most beautiful version of herself)
WHY YOU WILL NEVER LOOK AS GOOD AS A VICTORIA’S SECRET MODEL?
… BECAUSE EVEN A VICTORIA’S SECRET MODEL DOESN’T LOOK GOOD ENOUGH FOR VICTORIA’S SECRET
Did you know that almost every model you see in any advertisement has likely been altered in some way?
Certain body parts enhanced, other body parts reduced. ‘Perfect’ models photoshopped to even greater ‘perfection’ because the fashion industry wants us to believe in the impossible.
This unrealistic and unattainable body image is why so many clients come to us with low self esteem and lacking in body confidence. Our job is to show you just how beautiful you really are without excessive photoshop.
In this article, I’d like to explain just how far away from reality all those pictures in magazines have become and why we shouldn’t beat ourselves up if we don’t look as good as these magazine models.
THE BODY ALTERING BEGINS WAY BEFORE THE PHOTOSHOP
An experienced hairdresser can spot hair extensions a mile away and you’ll be amazed how many have told me that more often than not, magazine images use hair extensions.
After hair extensions, stylists use ‘chicken cutlets’ and other body shapers to change and enhance the breasts before the photoshoot even begins.
Ever wondered how a model can have gravity defying cleavage in a strapless bikini? That’s because of the push up bra worn under the bikini and then removed in photoshop.
The photoshop continues after the removal of the bra and straps to the the nipples being erased, breasts being made rounder, higher, perfectly symmetrical, and of course, larger. (All models are size As it seems)
Armpits always look grey on camera no matter how closely you shave. Photoshop removes all signs of hair.
HERE ARE SOME MORE FAMOUS BODY CHANGING HORROR STORIES…
So you see, it’s impossible to look as good as a Victoria’s secret model since even a Victoria’s Secret model doesn’t look good enough for Victoria’s Secret.
At Madison Bou, we try and reign in the photoshop. My view is that every client should look like themselves, only the very best version of themselves. It all starts with great hair and make-up and good lighting and photography of course, within the constraints of a three hour photoshoot experience.
Photoshop is a big part of what we do. After all if a magazine uses it then why shouldn’t our clients have the same tools at their disposal? But instead of changing body shape, I want to keep it more real. Reduce lines, not completely eliminate. Ageing is actually a wonderful process. A 50 year old woman should look like a 50 year old woman (not a 30 year old) but she should look like an amazing 50 year old woman. Curves are important too. Why should someone with curves try and look like a stick insect? By showing clients how amazing they look with curves, we hope they’ll leave our studio celebrating their body shape rather than seeking to change it.
Try not to be too harsh on yourself. Try not to judge yourself too unfairly. Be happy in your own skin.
This is what we’re here for – to show you just how beautiful you really are.
ONE FINAL THING BEFORE WE CLOSE THIS SUBJECT. HAVE YOU SEEN THE LATEST DOVE ADVERT?
Please watch it. It’s one of the most powerful and poignant comments on Social Media we’ve ever seen and if you suffer from low Self Esteem or have Teenagers, this may strike a chord with you.