Television Character Makeup: More Influential Than We Think
By Bryan Barron, Writing and Editorial Assistant to Paula Begoun

I'm a big fan of HBO's former sitcom Sex and the City , but not because of the title or the thrill of watching urban women get through daily travails in fabulous shoes. Resisting the show during its original run on cable, I became immersed in the show upon receiving the DVD box set of the entire series. Contrary to what I had imagined the show would be like, it was instead a witty, often hilarious, and, at its core, an interesting perspective on relationships between women and, of course, lots of men.
Aside from the permutations on romance, I'm mentioning this show in particular because it is a great example of how makeup, even everyday, casual makeup, is used to convey character. You may be used to thinking of makeup and character as it pertains to theatrical shows (where would the dramatic tension of Wicked be if Elphaba wasn't green?) but it's at work on television too, and often works in subtle ways to convey not only what is going on in a character's life but what they're feeling.

Getting back to Sex and the City , there are four distinctive lead characters: Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda. Carrie, the narrator and central character, has a typically casual makeup style to complement her casual, tousled curly hair. Interestingly, when it's time to dress up and Carrie's hair becomes sleek and straight, her makeup almost always becomes stronger and more sophisticated--kind of like what a lot of women do in real life. Carrie is also striving to discover her identity and be taken seriously, especially when in emotional turmoil. It is notable that in these scenes, she typically is seen wearing minimal makeup, perhaps so she appears more vulnerable or earnest.

Samantha, the go-getter, man-crazy owner of her own public relations firm has the most trend-driven makeup. She's the one who often matches her lipstick to her outfit, and maintains a full makeup with equal emphasis on eyes and lips. Even during off-work, casual scenes, Samantha has the most makeup on, but it rarely looks overdone. She's a great example of how attitude can help women carry off any amount of makeup, but even more so when it is properly and proportionately applied! The only time we really see Samantha without her usual makeup is during her brief battle with breast cancer and when she has the flu.

Charlotte is the blue-blooded uptight socialite whose wardrobe consists of lots of classic, preppy, Ralph Lauren-style outfits or tailored, modest dresses. Her makeup remains consistent throughout the run of the show, tending toward an understated classic look that doesn't appear effortless but doesn't seem labor-intensive, either. Hers is the makeup that seems approachable but also a bit too perfect. You get the impression that a slight smudge of lipstick or flaking mascara would ruin her day because it's a flaw in her otherwise perfect projection of herself.

Miranda is the most professional among the foursome, and works in a law firm. Her clothing began as very masculine, but eventually softened to flattering work attire that was feminine but still conservative and professional. Her makeup remains the simplest of all the characters; you get the sense that she is the type of woman who doesn't have the time or desire to bother with it, at least not if it takes more than five minutes. Miranda's bare minimum approach often leaves her looking mousy compared to her friends, but her sarcasm, healthy yet pale skin tone, and red-to-strawberry blonde hair compensate; there are lots of ways to make a statement other than by relying on makeup or clothing.

Whether we realize it or not, the makeup our favorite television characters wear directly and indirectly influences how we feel about them and how we compare them to ourselves. There are many reasons why Sex and the City caught on and resonated with so many women. Image was a big one; the fact that three of the four actresses have promoted appearance-enhancing products, from skin care to makeup to undergarments, testifies to this--and was helped along by character-enhancing makeup.



THE BODY SHOP Wise Woman Luxury Cleanser ($15.50 for 6.75 ounces) is primarily a blend of water with several nonvolatile plant oils. The detergent cleansing agents are present in minor amounts, though the oils certainly do remove makeup. This is a good option for dry to very dry skin not prone to blemishes, but you may need a washcloth for complete removal.

OLAY Regenerist Micro-sculpting Cream ($23.99 for 1.7 ounces) purports to be the result of 50 years of Olay research, so you'd expect this to be a breathtakingly unique formula. It's not-and in fact, it's very similar to all of the other Regenerist moisturizers and serums. (I can't imagine what Olay was doing for 50 years, because if this is all they came up with, that would not be something to brag about!) Increasing hydration can make skin cells plump, but that doesn't restore volume to a face that is sagging due to the complex process of aging. In other words, this is not a face-lift in a jar, and actually, the jar packaging does a disservice to the range of antioxidants in this product, and that's a shame, since it does contain more antioxidants than many Olay products. That leaves you with a decent lightweight moisturizer for normal to slightly dry skin.

CLINIQUE Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam ($17.50 for 4.2 ounces) would have been an excellent liquid-to-foam cleanser for normal to oily skin, but the peppermint is a problem and salicylic acid in a cleanser is minimal at best because it is rinsed from skin before it can penetrate into the pore lining. This cleanser does contain some very good (and some unique) water-binding agents-but again, their impact on skin won't be great, and the peppermint remains a problem.

Dear Paula,
There is a new procedure called FatZap that is being advertised in Australia.  It claims to easily and painlessly reduce the appearance of cellulite by heating up the fat cells which causes them to "melt" away.  Can you please shed some light on the efficacy and safety of this procedure? The Web address is www.fatzap.com.au. Hurry, my thighs aren't getting any smaller!
Anita, via email

Dear Anita,
The concept of spot-zapping anything we don't like about our bodies, be it cellulite, acne, stretch marks, or all manner of discolorations, is very enticing. Of course, regardless of the potion or device, the claim is always linked to the process being quick, easy, and perhaps most importantly, painless. I wouldn't be surprised if FatZap's information invited users to enjoy a big bowl of chocolate fudge ice cream as they wait for their fat to melt away! FatZap is said to work because it heats skin to a certain temperature that causes fat to melt, thus reshaping the body anywhere you have stubborn deposits of fat.

As it turns out, the information on FatZap's Web site is full of holes. In their FAQ section alone, they go back and forth about the number of treatments required for best results (one answer states 4-12 treatments, another answer says 6-14 are needed) and incorrectly explains that the heated/melted fat is excreted by the lymphatic system. The human body's lymphatic system has many duties, but none of them include elimination of excess fat. What involvement the lymphatic system has with fat is the fluid transfer of fats and fat-soluble nutrients from the digestive system. There is no research anywhere proving that simply heating skin to a certain temperature causes excess fat cells to break free and then the lymphatic system kicks into action, making sure this unwanted fat is properly eliminated. The company also states repeatedly that in order for FatZap to be really successful, each client must consume a healthy diet and engage in exercise. No surprise there, as this coupling will result in fat loss for most people. If nothing else, it's a tricky way for them to say their treatment is bogus but as long as you change your diet and exercise regularly, some fat loss is inevitable.

I wouldn't encourage anyone to seek out this sham treatment. The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA, the country's regulatory agency similar to the United States' Food & Drug Administration) took the company behind FatZap to task for unsupported claims they made in a late 2007 newspaper advertisement for this "treatment". As a result, the company had to print a retraction for the false claims they made (Source: www.tgacrp.com.au/index.cfm?pageID=20&special=complaint_single&complaintID=916). There is no published, substantiated research proving FatZap works, let alone is safe. Plus, if it did work, wouldn't it just be a way to diet and eventually become anorexic (how would the device know when to stop burning up fat, and what about the amount of fat the body needs to keep in order to be healthy?).

I wouldn't be too concerned about safety, as this device simply heats skin to 65° Fahrenheit, which isn't that hot (water boils at 212° Fahrenheit) and simply heating skin doesn't have any effect on fat. If it did, anyone who spends time outdoors getting a tan or relaxing in a hot tub would also find they've trimmed some fat, and that's not happening. There is no simple solution for banishing cellulite, and more importantly, you don't have to be fat or even slightly overweight to have it-so much for FatZap being worthwhile!


Vitamin D and Sun Exposure
It's hard to imagine that a vitamin could find itself in the midst of a controversy, but that is exactly the position vitamin D is in. The conflict is over risking sun exposure because of our bodies' need for vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency can be a serious health problem, most notably by blocking the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, causing a chronic imbalance and bone deterioration. As luck would have it, sunlight is the most abundant, natural source that helps our bodies make vitamin D. Read the full article.


Applying Mascara
The traditional upper-lash application of rotating the mascara wand by round-brushing from the base of the lashes up to cover all the lashes around the entire eye is the most efficient, expedient method. Keep an old, cleaned up mascara wand in your makeup bag to use for removing occasional mascara clumps (it can happen with the best mascaras) and separating lashes.

Apply mascara to the lower lashes by holding the wand perpendicular to the eye and parallel to the lashes (using the tip of the wand). This prevents you from getting mascara on the cheek. It also makes it easier to reach the lashes at both ends of the eye. If you want a softer application on the lower lashes, wipe the wand down with a tissue and then apply lightly.

Have you ever had mascara end up on the eyelid or under the eye while you're applying it? Wait until it dries completely and then chip it away with a cotton swab or sponge. Most of it will just flake off, with very little repair work needed. Always check for mascara smudges; they can look very sloppy and distracting.

Expert Reviews, Beautiful Results
Looking for more product reviews? Below is a sampling of product reviews recently added to Beautypedia.com:

• Avon Ideal Shade Smooth Mineral Makeup
• Beauticontrol Skinlogics Sensitive Protective Services Calming Fluid
• Chanel Sublimage Serum, Essential Regenerating Concentrate
• M.A.C. Dazzleglass Lipcolour
• Victoria's Secret Very Voluptuous Extreme Volume Mascara