The camera really never lies and I both hate it and love it for that. Recently I saw some photos of myself that spurred me into some much-needed beauty action. First of all, it was a photo of me from behind (never a nice thing generally). My hair was straggling right down to my lower back, with one strip in the middle more crinkly than the rest - as in, I can’t be bothered brushing or drying that bit so I’m just going to ignore it. But suddenly my back view was in sight and very much in mind.
It was time, I decided, to stop pretending I could waft around all boho- and long-locked like Elle (which only really works if you’re in a kaftan and in the Bahamas anyway). So I finally, after more years than I can remember, got a cut and dug out my dusty blow-dry kit. (Will post on the cut tomorrow, am being too lazy right now to upload photos from my camera, all my energy this morning has gone into blow-drying - hell on biceps for a Monday morning).
Then, another photo, another hair crisis. I’m naturally pretty fair-haired but if I get too lazy to wash and style my hair enough, it looks like it’s having perpetual PMT - you know: dark, oily, miserable roots - and I should be home curled up on the couch with tim tams rather than going out and trying to pretend I’m glamorous. Which is why I found myself having my hair coloured on Friday.
Anyway, I bring this all up for a couple of reasons. 1 - If you think it’s time for an image makeover, ask a good friend to photograph you from several angles (yes, including behind) so that you can ascertain how you come across. It’s a great way of being extra-critical of yourself, in a constructive, not I-hate-myself-I’m-never-going-to-show-my-face-again way, of course. Apparently it’s what celebs do to keep their image in scrutiny and check. You wouldn’t have much choice really, would you - I mean, look at Kylie here. Imagine going anywhere knowing that a million cameras are focussing in on your butt?
While I was having my colour makeover, my colourist Belinda let me in on up-and-coming hair trend that you might want to know about too. It’s called colour shading and is basically highlights where the foils are only applied to the ends or bottom half of sections. Mid-browns go for caramel tones, while blondes can get honeys, creams, or - where ends are in great shape - bleach highlights. This way you get a lovely floaty flyaway look, and it’s especially great for giving a feel of airiness and volume to the hair. Apparently Daria and Gisele get it done, so too local glamour girls Erica Baxter and Gail Elliott.
