Oh God no not another makeover

[ericthegreat]

I'm home right now watching the Today show on NBC, and they are doing their makeover segment. Of course, they just had to pick an older woman with gorgeous, lower back length hair and they had to chop it all off to a bob. And of course came all the comments saying that she was hiding behind her long hair, that her new haircut is "right" for her age, and of course they put her in an outfit and with shoes that she would never be able to afford herself and the professional makeup artist literally globbed on the foundation and mascara on her eyes. This woman is pretty much natural and makeup free in her normal routine, its just rediculous to give her the kind of makeover that she would never be able to achieve on herself when she goes home!

I just find it reprehensible that we live in a world where other people feel its their business to tell you how you should look.

[Sheltie_Momma]

Amen to that. Why don't they ever try to make over who people are on the inside, so they would never "need" another makeover on the outside?

[SHELIAANN1969]

Amen to that. Why don't they ever try to make over who people are on the inside, so they would never "need" another makeover on the outside?

ohhhhhhhh, that is deep, I like that.

I detest all of those lame makeover shows and segments, ugh!

[NiAosSi]

I avoid those shows like the plague. They give me contractions (from the fury). :lol:

[Aeon F.]

I hate makeover shows!! 9 times out of 10, the person (well, woman) has really nice long hair and they hack it all off!! :rant:

Sometimes, the shows are helpful with clothing and getting someone out of a rut (showing how to find clothes that fit and better showcase your individual shape too)- but when it comes to the hair and makeup part... ugh!! They glob on so many products- that the average person can't possibly replicate it in their own homes afterwards. The makeup artists really annoy me too sometimes- I do theatrical makeup and have learned over the years all the shading/blending tricks- but the everyday person hasn't normally had the practice of making 12 different colors on your eyes look good.

[oogie]

The old saying goes "Beauty is only skin deep but ugly is to the bone. Beauty will fade away but ugly will hold it's own"

I agree with making folks over from the inside. The most gorgeous person in the world on the outside doesn't always mean a lovely person on the inside. Proof- just check out celebs in the gossip rags.

That is why i'm a proud member of the NHTDYW. (Not here to decorate your world) I try to get more and more converts daily.

I just wonder why they don't pick women with super short hair to do those? What about those women with stylish hair but the outfit it dated? If you really want to make the world a more beautiful place, why not start with compassion, understanding and world peace-- not new paint and remodeling?

[ericthegreat]

The look on that woman's face said it all. She had a quiet, shy, polite smile. The fashion stylist and the hairstylist and the makeup artist were of course raving about what they did on her, which of course wasn't to honestly compliment her but to further self-promote themselves. Her smile was saying, "Okay I guess since all these fashion experts are saying I look better with a bob and all this heavy makeup and this flashy outfit, they must know better than me. I better put on a smile and look prim and proper for the camera."

She clearly didn't want to lose her long beautiful hair. In my opinion she looked even better in her before picture, she was natural and comfortable in her own shoes. Why is it that the mainstream beauty industry feel that they MUST impose their ideals on all the rest of the world?

[Radulfr]

Why is it that the mainstream beauty industry feel that they MUST impose their ideals on all the rest of the world?
Three reasons,
money,
money
and more money.

[halo_tightens]

I hear ya, Eric... I find it appalling. Let people be who they want to be!

Why do so few people care about who we are, but only what we look like and whether it matches their definition of beauty?

I'm not here to decorate squat. Couldn't if I tried. But jeez, I certainly don't appreciate people's attempts to put me down if I don't look like an rich anorexic teenage runway model. Not gonna happen, folks, not in this lifetime. But I don't believe for an instant that this disqualifies me from owning the word "beautiful." Some people are just so blind that they can only see with their eyeballs.

[ericthegreat]

I also want to add that this woman has natural waves......it was so gorgeous in her before picture. The bob they gave her was dramatically layered and they of course blew it out straight. This kind of bob would only look good if it was blown out straight. With her natural texture, she will definitely struggle with a bad awkward stage it will definitely get all bushy and poofy now that its so much shorter and has so many layers.

[spidermom]

Ahhhhhh; another reminder of why I have no T.V.

Last night I was at a restaurant, and 8 out of every 10 women had a bob - I kid you not. Why don't I have a bob? I didn't get the memo.

[LadyLongLocks]

I was contacted 3 days ago and invited to be on the Tyra Show where they were doing makeovers and were looking for a lady with "SUPER long hair" so they could let Ttra herself chop it off as short as she wanted, even a bob cut. I have a BLOG (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/blog.php?b=53873) here with more details.
And posted the story on my hair site (http://jjjlonghairphotopage.zoomshare.com/1.shtml?y=2009&m=9&d=15&detail=1#0a6ddd97b7674fecdfd18bb023dad783) too for public viewing.

IMO a woman who goes on a show like that isn't thinking and is just setting herself up.
Even if I was going to cut my hair I would NEVER go on a show like this, even if I was paid.
I have seen many shows like this and I think they are degrading. The hairdressers gladly chop it off with no love or respect for long hair.
On top of it, many shows brag about donating the hair to Locks of Love, which is a scam!
The whole thing makes me sick! But the long hair lady agreed to do it...WTH was she thinking!!!!

[Medievalmaniac]

Last night I was at a restaurant, and 8 out of every 10 women had a bob - I kid you not. Why don't I have a bob? I didn't get the memo.

I threw that memo out with the rest of the junk mail...you know, the announcements that I need to lose 40 pounds on Vioxx, earn bonus magazine points for ordering 30.00 or more worth of stuff I'll never wear in the next ten minutes, and take Viagra to make her happy (guess they figure I'm a lesbian?) :shrug:

Those memos are only worth one thing: :poot:

[ravenreed]

OTOH, she may have wanted the makeover. Otherwise, why was she on the show?

[spidermom]

OTOH, she may have wanted the makeover. Otherwise, why was she on the show?

Exactly. I came back to this thread to point this out. They don't snatch unwilling victims off the streets.

[clairenewcastle]

I was contacted 3 days ago and invited to be on the Tyra Show where they were doing makeovers and were looking for a lady with "SUPER long hair" so they could let Ttra herself chop it off as short as she wanted, even a bob cut.
How could anyone ever CONSIDER cutting that glorious hair? You must be so proud of it!!!!! I wonder if the individual who came up with the concept of the TV show was long haired? I doubt it somehow but I strongly suspect she would have given a LOT to have hair like yours....here I am assuming it was a woman, am also assuming a lot of jealousy was involved. Can't think why...
Has the show been aired yet? What I'm really asking is ,has some poor soul succumbed to the brainwashing?

[florenonite]

The thing I don't understand about makeover shows is that the look they give the person is rarely one she can replicate on a daily basis. Many of the women on these shows generally don't do much daily, and this carefree attitude should be reflected in their makeover. I think they'd be far more useful to the participants if they were taught how to dress inexpensively to flatter their figure and colouring, and given a hairstyle they would feel comfortable in and be able to style.

Although many of the women on these shows do enter willingly, sometimes I get the impression that they don't have any proper input in their makeover. IMO, because a makeover ought to be sustainable, it should reflect the personality of the woman being made over.

I actually quite like What not to Wear, in terms of makeover shows, because the participants, after being given some information on flattering clothing, get to go shopping themselves for clothes they actually like, and even though they later go with the show's hosts, they still get to provide input. They are also asked for input into their hairstyle (though the stylist needs to learn what "long" means; one girl a couple weeks ago asked for him to keep it long and got shoulder-length hair).

[teela1978]

I'm with ravenreed and spidermom. I highly doubt that anyone goes on a makeover show with waist+ length hair expecting to come out with waist+ length hair. Even on LHC we have people who need a change and go for the big chop. If you've had thigh length hair for 10 years, and you don't enjoy the attention, I think getting the big chop on national television while getting a big makeover would be the way to go. Might as well make it a big change, and you might as well do it in a big way :)

[marzipanthecat]

I'm not keen on make over shows. Lazy way of filling air time. They never do anything interesting.

They go for the hair because it is such a quick way of making a huge difference. Not always for the better.

There's a TV show in the UK called "Ten Years Younger" which I've watched twice (because my mother made me - I'm not kidding) and the second time I watched it - a couple of years after the first time - I noticed they no longer did dental implants on participants. They just got them a decent set a false teeth (the sort you take out at night).

I mentioned this to my dentist (yeah, one of those conversations you have where the dentist's hands are in your mouth!) and he told me he reckoned it was because a good set of implants will cost upwards of £15,000 for a full mouth, which is what most people on the show were having. That's enough to do cosmetic facial surgery on several other people. Now, apparently you can't just have dental implants put in and just leave them (I didn't know this). They need regular - expensive - check ups, and extra work, to keep them healthy. He said the sort of people who have neglected their mouths for years because they either couldn't afford to visit a dentist (or couldn't be bothered) were not likely to keep their implants for more than a couple of years, because they are more work then regular teeth in some ways. He didn't think they TV show was behaving responsibly at all in giving them dental implants.

A haircut is way, way cheaper. And the fancy clothes often come free from the shop trying to promote a new line (usually mentioned a lot during the show).

Also - I'm on a bit of a rant here, sorry! - I don't like the idea that people are never good enough as they are. No matter what. I really don't mind what people do to themselves in the way of appearance, it is their business. But I am tired of everyone supposed to confirm to some amorphous, constantly changing ideal (you can never do it right, ever! There is no "right"!).

[LittleOrca]

I hate makeover shows too, but I did see once on What Not to Wear where a blonde woman with waist length hair bitched and faught the stylist (it was an older episode) and KEPT her hair. You just have to be willing to fight for it it seems...that and make sure the contract you sign will let you fight for it. :)

[marikamt]

I have to admit, I am a girly-girl.... "while I am not here to decorate anyones world" as you all say, I do like to dress up on occasion and look pretty...
that being said... I think society places really unrealistic expectations on women... I don;t want to look/ dress/ etc like everyone else.... I have a curvy, hour glass body... no matter how hard I try, I will NEVER be a size 4 or below... I like dressing a little funky... I have my own style!!!!! I LOVE growing out my hair and I don't feel the need to wear lipstick every day.
I also can't afford a "reasonably priced" $300 dress for everyday.... which is what they put people in on those shows..
Why can't society just celebrate the individual, quirky beauty of each woman??????
Why does it have to be so cookie cutter????
THAT is what frustrates me.......

[Shiva]

Of course, they just had to pick an older woman with gorgeous, lower back length hair and they had to chop it all off to a bob.

I cringed.

There has to be some kind of sick perversion about doing this to somebody, but then again the person consented to it, so I dunno....

::shrug::

[KaasKnot]

I cringed.

There has to be some kind of sick perversion about doing this to somebody, but then again the person consented to it, so I dunno....

::shrug::

Probably she didn't want to, but caved under the weight of everyone telling her to.

[Angharad]

Make-overs are truly horrifying, because they are molding people in this "standard beauty" that doesn't match with their inner selves. Why not letting people decide for themselves what beautiful means and just let them be? But then again, you could not fill a whole hour of television with respecting people's looks, right?(maybe if some smart tv-producer took that theme and made a docu out of it, I would definitely tune in!)

Many people, also in my surroundings, don't understand that I have a different view on beauty than is considered "trendy". For example; I like white skin over sun tanned skin that many women have after the summer (I just like to maintain my white skin because I feel healthier by it than having all this fuss about sunbathing, getting burned, skin peels off and the whole thing starts over again etc.), I like fullbodied women, I like it that my husband has a bellie that I can put my head on when I'm reading in bed (I do not like this hard toned bodies) , I like loooong untouched hair on women instead of al this freaky looking short hair on women over forty (they all have red/black coloured hair and short hair that looks like a chicken who has been electricuted). Nearly every woman I know is on some sort of diet and it is all they ever talk about (I don't diet although I'm overweight but I like my body but when I say that to these women, they give me this pityfull look and say: Well, it is your body and if you're happy with it, that is all that matters (AAAAARGH). In other words: hey if you wanna look like crap......but WE certainly will fight the weightloss-battle and be worthy of earning our place in this world of beautiful women; you on the other hand don't deserve such a place!

It is sad, that in this society unique beauty isn' t valued for its true worth and I think it is because of the brainwash that the media is giving us with all these socalled perfect men and women and such horror shows as make-overs are also contributing to this feeling that you are not alright you just looking like YOU.

[Amoretti]

Oh, no, not another thread ranting about makeover shows.

Those women are there of their own accord. If they don't want to get their hair cut and their look changed why do they go on them? :shrug:

Why should I be outraged because they knowingly decided to go on the show? :shrug:

[Angharad]

These women have indeed made up for themselves that they want such a make-over, that is true, Amoretti!

What I personally don't like is the message these shows in general bring to us viewers: that it is good to have a make-over; in fact: if this woman on tv can do it, why should the rest of you stay behind? Do something about yourself are their unspoken words and I think that's pretty insulting.

[Amoretti]

if this woman on tv can do it, why should the rest of you stay behind? Do something about yourself are their unspoken words and I think that's pretty insulting.

Angharad, the thing is, I choose not to be offended by it because to me that would be a waste of time. TV sends us a million different messages ALL the time. It's up to us to ignore them or not. I refuse to be outraged at this; I'll save my anger for more serious things. :shrug:

[Shiva]

Probably she didn't want to, but caved under the weight of everyone telling her to.
Or she was so star-struck by being on tv that she was in a zombie-like state. heheh

[Unzadi]

Another girly-girl weighing in here. If I could prance about in three hundred dollar dresses everyday, I would - if I liked them and they fit *me* in body and spirit. I like fashion, I like beauty, and I even like some makeover shows, but (and there's a big but here -no, not referring to the size of anyone's posterior) I prefer when they enhance the individual instead of stamping out the same old same old, cookie-cutter or assembly line fashion.

If a longhaired woman (or man) would like to try a shorter style and that's what they really want and they want to go on the show to do that, then fine. Having the show send minions to troll about and pounce on longhairs minding their own darned business is a whole other matter. I understand they're producing entertainment but harrassment or coercion is not entertaining (at least not to me.) Wouldn't it be more entertaining to see someone enthused about the process? :shrug: Dunno.

The fact that many of these shows do exactly the same hair makeover - from longhair to same short bob- indicates to me that the cookie cutter is the goal, not the beauty of the individual, and that gives me pause. With the endless variation of colors and shapes and textures in each individual, the individuality is what I want to see; bring out what's already there. Sometimes that may not need a huge dramatic change to whatever's popular this week. Probably usually not. Meh, starting to talk in circles here, but bottom line, more creativity and more individuality would be a dramatic change for the shows.

[Amoretti]

Unzadi said:

more creativity and more individuality would be a dramatic change for the shows.

But then they'd lose the shock factor. ;) :lol:

I really enjoy makeover shows so I guess I'm also in the minority here. :D

To me, someone who goes to one of those shows already knows she's going to be dramatically changed. It's up to them to decide whether to go or not. "Just say no" is easy enough. :shrug: Getting angry about that person's decision just doesn't make sense to me.

[Elenna]

Not to be contrary, but if a short haired, older woman grew her hair long and let the silvers show wouldn't that be something. What if others found this natural, long haired lady more attractive than the overly done, dyed, short haired lady? It happened to me!!! Really, I'm getting a lot of great compliments for going long and gray.

[marikamt]

Another girly-girl weighing in here. If I could prance about in three hundred dollar dresses everyday, I would - if I liked them and they fit *me* in body and spirit. I like fashion, I like beauty, and I even like some makeover shows, but (and there's a big but here -no, not referring to the size of anyone's posterior) I prefer when they enhance the individual instead of stamping out the same old same old, cookie-cutter or assembly line fashion.

If a longhaired woman (or man) would like to try a shorter style and that's what they really want and they want to go on the show to do that, then fine. Having the show send minions to troll about and pounce on longhairs minding their own darned business is a whole other matter. I understand they're producing entertainment but harrassment or coercion is not entertaining (at least not to me.) Wouldn't it be more entertaining to see someone enthused about the process? :shrug: Dunno.

The fact that many of these shows do exactly the same hair makeover - from longhair to same short bob- indicates to me that the cookie cutter is the goal, not the beauty of the individual, and that gives me pause. With the endless variation of colors and shapes and textures in each individual, the individuality is what I want to see; bring out what's already there. Sometimes that may not need a huge dramatic change to whatever's popular this week. Probably usually not. Meh, starting to talk in circles here, but bottom line, more creativity and more individuality would be a dramatic change for the shows.


TOTALLY agree.... couldn't have said it better :)

[pdy2kn6]

Ty[ical...just ty[ical. ''Hiding behind hair'' is the reason they always use for why the guest MUST cut their long locks. Such a shame. It would be good to see a clip if anyone finds it. I find it interesting to see how they turn out, and admire the pre-haircut hair.

[Kittybe]

But jeez, I certainly don't appreciate people's attempts to put me down if I don't look like an rich anorexic teenage runway model. Not gonna happen, folks, not in this lifetime. But I don't believe for an instant that this disqualifies me from owning the word "beautiful." Some people are just so blind that they can only see with their eyeballs.

I really wish people would stop throwing around the word “anorexic” to describe all thin people. I happen to be 5’6” and about 112 lbs. I eat a lot, mostly healthy food, but I do indulge my junk food cravings daily. I do not have any food issues, I love food and love to eat. I also happen to be very thin. I’ve been called anorexic many times and I just think it’s unfair to lump all thin people into one category. Anorexia is a serious disease and to go around accusing all thin people of being so, is disrespectful to people suffering with this eating disorder as well as to healthy people , who just happen to not gain weight easily. It’s usually genetic, as in my case. If someone is not happy with their own weight, using this eating disorder as a derogatory term towards others, helps no one. That’s not being “beautiful on the inside”.

[Chrissy]

Oh, no, not another thread ranting about makeover shows.

Those women are there of their own accord. If they don't want to get their hair cut and their look changed why do they go on them? :shrug:

Why should I be outraged because they knowingly decided to go on the show? :shrug:

EXACTLY!!!!! No one FORCED her to go. Unless she lives under a rock she knows they will cut her hair. Enough said.

[JamieLeigh]

I despise the whole "Long hair is a young thing - you shouldn't wear it long when you are over 30"....or 40 or 50 or whatever age they decide they need to bug you about. It's just designed to make you feel like you are doing something wrong by being yourself. And that's never ok, whether it's someone with short hair trying to get you to feel bad about your long hair, or someone with long hair, trying to make you feel bad about cutting.

Let's hope none of us on this board acts that way IRL.

[halo_tightens]

Kittybe,

I was not calling you anorexic, nor anyone else who isn't truly anorexic. I was referring specifically to a group of people who do indeed intentionally starve themselves in order to maintain what they consider an "acceptable" weight, which does in fact include many of the ultra-thin fashion models seen nowadays.
I certainly had no intention of offending you or anyone else.

It actually sounds like you're saying pretty much the same thing that I am, though from the opposite viewpoint. Because I weigh MORE than a socially acceptable 112 pounds, people assume that I am lazy and like to gorge myself on unhealthy foods, which is just as untrue as their assumption that you are anorexic. My whole point is that NO ONE should be judged by their appearances. It's mean and unfair, because it's often not up to us how we look.

Please don't call my inner beauty into question, as it's the only kind I can potentially have. Society has taught me this quite firmly.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread...

[funnybunny668]

I'm sure makeover shows prefer to get the most dramatic results they can, otherwise it wasn't a "big" makeover. What's bigger than cutting and/or coloring hair, adding more makeup and changing a person from sweats & sneakers to designer dresses & heels? I think it's all about the "shock value" of a big change. They wouldn't be working their "magic" on someone that didn't come out with a big change, right? ;)

That said, I do think any person who agrees to appear on a makeover show knows what to expect. Especially if they've ever watched any of them. I'd also have to assume there are probably some sort of contracts or waivers to sign before appearing on tv.

[heatherdazy]

Last night I was at a restaurant, and 8 out of every 10 women had a bob - I kid you not.
Are you counting every hair style from chin to shoulders as a bob?

[Shastrix]

Slightly off topic though somewhat related...

This reminds me of Children in Need last year (a telethon in the UK where people do silly things to raise money for children's charities). My local news programme had a segment featuring a 13 year old girl who had never cut had her hair. They had been hyping-up that she was going to chop it off all day, and each time she never looked particularly comfortable. With the crowd in a chanting frenzy a child from the audience was handed a novelty-sized pair of scissors and lopped it off. The poor girl looked stunned and in shock as she was handed her enormous pony tail by the overenthusiastic all-smiles presenter. Okay it raised £100 for charity (I would have donated £100 for her not to cut it) and she did have a “celebrity hairdresser” to neaten up the mess, but I just felt it made for uncomfortable viewing.

It’s a shame it is a lot quicker to cut it all off than it is to grow. :(

[wintersun99]

............

[Shiva]

Ty[ical...just ty[ical. ''Hiding behind hair'' is the reason they always use for why the guest MUST cut their long locks.

Whaaa?? You say that like it's a bad thing. I LOVE hiding behind my hair. I've been hiding behind my hair for 40 years and I quite like it there.


:p

[ericthegreat]

I don't object to the entire idea of a makeover show. If the makeover show allowed more input from the person being made over, and actually gave them a humble, realistic makeover then I'd actually be all for that kind of makeover. I hate the whole going to extremes aspect of the makeover shows that are being shown right now. Many of the women with very long hair on these shows really don't want to part with it, but are pressured and pushed into it by the fashion stylists and hairstylists who verbally shame them about having hair so long. I just wish that there were more makeover shows that were more common sense. Let the person getting the makeover keep their hair long, keep the makeup simple and natural looking, and an outfit and shoes that they would normally see themselves wearing in their everyday lives.

[wintersun99]

................

[silverspun]

I think it's okay to experiment with beauty, but the fact that there's a supposed age limit to long hair is ridiculous. As long as the hair is healthy and flattering, then all is well.

[eadwine]

Oh, no, not another thread ranting about makeover shows.

Those women are there of their own accord. If they don't want to get their hair cut and their look changed why do they go on them? :shrug:

Why should I be outraged because they knowingly decided to go on the show? :shrug:
This, THIS and THIS!!

I cannot agree more :D

[Konstifik]

Ugh! Those shows are so disgusting! What if she regrets getting her hair cut when she gets home? I know I would! :justy:
I know that they made a decision, but did they really get the full details about the whole thing? And time to think about it?

[twolunarspring]

I think the thing which bothers people (and I might be misreading this) is not that they feel women are forcibly dragged into the studio and made-over under duress, but that we live in an environment where we are considered to be 'less than' if we don't look the way our society expects/demands. So while a woman may be making a conscious choice to undergo a makeover, the fact that she's doing so because she believes it will make her happier/better/more successful (and the fact that she may be right about that) is quite disturbing.

It depends how you define 'freedom of choice'.

I agree with whoever said that'd prefer to see a makeover on the inside... like life coaching or something like that - how to *actually* be happy or successful. And how to love yourself for exactly who and what you are right now.

Just my 2 pennies :)

[Amoretti]

I think we should give the makeover participants some credit for being adult women who know what they're getting into and not some weak bimbos who are being led by the nose. I think if they regret having their long hair cut off when they get home they should put on their big girl panties and just be more firm next time.

We've all made mistakes in life; it's called learning and growing up. :)

I think being so offended on their behalf is offensive and demeaning to them, actually, as if their choices were somehow all wrong by OUR standards. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

[Nat242]

I think we should give the makeover participants some credit for being adult women who know what they're getting into and not some weak bimbos who are being led by the nose. I think if they regret having their long hair cut off when they get home they should put on their big girl panties and just be more firm next time.

We've all made mistakes in life; it's called learning and growing up. :)

I think being so offended on their behalf is offensive and demeaning to them, actually, as if their choices were somehow all wrong by OUR standards. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Yes, well put. Thank you.

[lapushka]

I think we should give the makeover participants some credit for being adult women who know what they're getting into and not some weak bimbos who are being led by the nose. I think if they regret having their long hair cut off when they get home they should put on their big girl panties and just be more firm next time.

We've all made mistakes in life; it's called learning and growing up. :)

I think being so offended on their behalf is offensive and demeaning to them, actually, as if their choices were somehow all wrong by OUR standards. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

I think what people here are really offended by is this pressure that is put on women to change, and to change not just a little bit but *drastically* because of another stupid program on television. The people making these programs actually act like they are "saving" women from themselves, from their sad little selves and sad little neglected lives by making them over, and I think that that is what gets people here so upset. It's the pressure, pressure that is not uncommon to the peer pressure that we as longer hairs often experience, the pressure from relatives, family, to "conform" to trends. We do know what that's like. So, it's about more than just swallowing it and putting your big girl panties on. I mean... why the hell would we have to just be okay with this as viewers? As viewers we do have the right to an opinion on this, don't we? And yes, these women were okay with this, but I don't like the premise of shows like that.

[going gray]

I can't stand those makeover shows either.....will not watch them...all they ever accomplish is making you feel inadequate. Plus who exactly are those so called "experts" anyway!

[Little_Bird]

Well, altough I do anjoy watching makeovers (I am a fashion person, graduated in fashion design just this year), I do agree that the most important is to understand a person's life and day to day routine before you give a makeover.

Still, I am all for natural on my fashion conceps, hence the long hair... :p

But yeah, too bad people can't mind their own business... :poot:

[Princess Fair]

I am glad to see that I am not alone... I always cringe a little when I see a woman with long beautiful hair on these shows.

[chesapeake]

I think the thing which bothers people (and I might be misreading this) is not that they feel women are forcibly dragged into the studio and made-over under duress, but that we live in an environment where we are considered to be 'less than' if we don't look the way our society expects/demands. So while a woman may be making a conscious choice to undergo a makeover, the fact that she's doing so because she believes it will make her happier/better/more successful (and the fact that she may be right about that) is quite disturbing.

It depends how you define 'freedom of choice'.

I agree with whoever said that'd prefer to see a makeover on the inside... like life coaching or something like that - how to *actually* be happy or successful. And how to love yourself for exactly who and what you are right now.

Just my 2 pennies :)

Yes, this.

And let me also say that I had to read your closing sentence twice, as my first impression of the statement was somewhat less innocent than the actual message and a bit confusing. :crazyq: I'm thinking I need another cup of coffee...

Anyway, my mother had beautiful long silver-grey hair a few years ago. I loved it and thought she was beautiful (she still is, but you know) but my stepfather and others convinced her that it was making her look old, so she cut it off and colored it. She's a pretty strong woman and not at all concerned with the trends, not at all vain - no makeup, wears sweatpants and rubber boots, etc. The pressure to conform is:justy:.

[ktani]

I do not go out of my way to watch makeover shows but I agree, for whatever reason, these women have agreed to do it and they are made aware of what may happen in terms of how short the hair may be afterward. The women themselves are responsible for agreeing to do it or not.

I also agree that Locks of Love is a scam but that is not the issue here to me.

I remember makeovers starting and they still are in magazines. The emphasis way back was not so much on long hair versus short, as a different style.

I have seen great short styles and truly awful ones. I have also seen great long hair and people wearing it too severely in styles that are not as becoming on them as wearing it softer or more simply.

I think what has gotten lost in all of this is the word style. Short or long, hairstyles can look great with a few simple changes to suit the individual (I am not referring to more extreme hairstyles that were a part of a time period like the mullet or teased bouffant hair. Those get dated fast.)

And as many of us have learned, it does grow back and people can learn from their mistakes with hairstyles.

[wintersun99]

.............

[Sissy]

oh, what a shame. I mean if the woman really wanted it then by all means but it's really too bad as it seems like older women get pressured into cutting their hair to look more age appropriate. Also, the globbing on of makeup doesn't set well with me either... especially if the woman won't be able to keep up that routine. It would probably be more helpful to show her light changes she could do easily.

[Amoretti]

I suspect that the so-called "pressure" the participants are under is simply the pressure of the money they're being paid or just for the kicks of being on TV. :shrug:

Unless you've been living under a rock you know perfectly well that if you have long hair they'll want to cut it off.:rolleyes:

It's showbiz, folks; long hair being chopped and a "pressured" participant means larger audiences. :rolleyes:

[Fethenwen]

I was contacted 3 days ago and invited to be on the Tyra Show where they were doing makeovers and were looking for a lady with "SUPER long hair" so they could let Ttra herself chop it off as short as she wanted, even a bob cut. I have a BLOG (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/blog.php?b=53873) here with more details.
And posted the story on my hair site (http://jjjlonghairphotopage.zoomshare.com/1.shtml?y=2009&m=9&d=15&detail=1#0a6ddd97b7674fecdfd18bb023dad783) too for public viewing.

IMO a woman who goes on a show like that isn't thinking and is just setting herself up.
Even if I was going to cut my hair I would NEVER go on a show like this, even if I was paid.
I have seen many shows like this and I think they are degrading. The hairdressers gladly chop it off with no love or respect for long hair.
On top of it, many shows brag about donating the hair to Locks of Love, which is a scam!
The whole thing makes me sick! But the long hair lady agreed to do it...WTH was she thinking!!!!
Aaargh :wail: This really bubbles me with rage! How did they dare ask you of such a thing?! I'm glad you gave them a hard response!
Way to go! :cheer:




I suspect that the so-called "pressure" the participants are under is simply the pressure of the money they're being paid or just for the kicks of being on TV. :shrug:

Unless you've been living under a rock you know perfectly well that if you have long hair they'll want to cut it off.:rolleyes:

It's showbiz, folks; long hair being chopped and a "pressured" participant means larger audiences. :rolleyes:

Yes, it's all showbiz, but it's still wrong.

[Wavelength]

What bothers me about these shows is that audiences are getting the message that it's somehow WRONG for women to choose long hair.

From these shows, the message is:

- long hair is ugly
- long hair is selfish (Locks of Love propaganda)
- long hair is demeaning (because it's associated with fringe religious groups)
- long hair is "disgusting" (I've heard that one a lot)
- long hair means you're insecure (because you're "hiding behind it")
- long hair is an indicator of mental instability (again, heard that more than once)

So if a woman chooses to grow her hair long, all these negative associations are thrown at her. We're ugly, disgusting, selfish, insecure and possibly mentally unstable. Just for having long hair? Really?

If all this negativity was shown toward any other physical attribute, such as body shape or skin colour, we'd all jump up and yell DISCRIMINATION! But because it's long hair, and the "problem" is so easily "corrected" (i.e. by getting a haircut), we're just expected to roll over and take it. And then we have to be grateful to the fashion industry for "saving" us from our ugly, disgusting, selfish, insecure selves.

Sorry, but I just find something deeply disturbing about that.

[purplebubba]

What bothers me about these shows is that audiences are getting the message that it's somehow WRONG for women to choose long hair.

From these shows, the message is:

- long hair is ugly
- long hair is selfish (Locks of Love propaganda)
- long hair is demeaning (because it's associated with fringe religious groups)
- long hair is "disgusting" (I've heard that one a lot)
- long hair means you're insecure (because you're "hiding behind it")
- long hair is an indicator of mental instability (again, heard that more than once)

So if a woman chooses to grow her hair long, all these negative associations are thrown at her. We're ugly, disgusting, selfish, insecure and possibly mentally unstable. Just for having long hair? Really?

If all this negativity was shown toward any other physical attribute, such as body shape or skin colour, we'd all jump up and yell DISCRIMINATION! But because it's long hair, and the "problem" is so easily "corrected" (i.e. by getting a haircut), we're just expected to roll over and take it. And then we have to be grateful to the fashion industry for "saving" us from our ugly, disgusting, selfish, insecure selves.

Sorry, but I just find something deeply disturbing about that.


Agree and to continue
- Long hair means you don't care about yourself or don't take care of yourself. You've let yourself go for too long. etc
- Long hair means we never cut our hair. Automatically assumed that it never gets trimmed.
- Long hair with grown out color or home color means we are too cheap to get it done the right way. Same goes for perms.

ETA: - Long hair after a certain age or with grey hair means we are trying to look young.

[Nat242]

I really dislike makeover shows as part of the wider industry of "fashion" whereby (mainly) women are expected to constantly change their "look" and wardrobe each season, and which thrives on making people feel less than adequate if they don't have a particular attribute or purchase a particular item.

However, I've found a great solution - I boycott those shows, I boycott magazines that promote the above message, and I simply don't consume products the way I've been told I should.

The fact that there are so many threads on LHC about makeover shows expressing outrage about long hair being cut off means that the outraged people who create these threads are watching the shows that so disturb them and contradict their personal philosophy about beauty, or their ideas about feminism.

These individuals (whose attitudes I understand and to a considerable extent agree with) are supporting these shows - whether they dislike them or not, they're part of the audience, and whilst there is an audience they'll keep making shows like this.

So, make a different statement, make a BIGGER statement. You don't like the industry, don't like the messages they promote about women and long hair, stop supporting the industry, and stop supporting these shows by watching them.

[ericthegreat]

What bothers me about these shows is that audiences are getting the message that it's somehow WRONG for women to choose long hair.

From these shows, the message is:

- long hair is ugly
- long hair is selfish (Locks of Love propaganda)
- long hair is demeaning (because it's associated with fringe religious groups)
- long hair is "disgusting" (I've heard that one a lot)
- long hair means you're insecure (because you're "hiding behind it")
- long hair is an indicator of mental instability (again, heard that more than once)

So if a woman chooses to grow her hair long, all these negative associations are thrown at her. We're ugly, disgusting, selfish, insecure and possibly mentally unstable. Just for having long hair? Really?

If all this negativity was shown toward any other physical attribute, such as body shape or skin colour, we'd all jump up and yell DISCRIMINATION! But because it's long hair, and the "problem" is so easily "corrected" (i.e. by getting a haircut), we're just expected to roll over and take it. And then we have to be grateful to the fashion industry for "saving" us from our ugly, disgusting, selfish, insecure selves.

Sorry, but I just find something deeply disturbing about that.

I totally agree with you Wavelength.

I might also add that while I respect the opinions of the posters here who say that "Its just a TV show, you don't have to watch it let it go." and "These women must know that if they have very long hair it will all be cut off." Well, technically yes these women aren't held at gunpoint to have their hair cut off, but when everyone from the fashion stylist to the hairstylist to the makeup artist to the family member or their best friend pressure them to cut their hair shorter so that they look more "modern and polished", you don't think that these poor women feel coerced and shamed into allowing their hair to be cut? I feel that they are.

Also, since their is a consistent theme in all these makeover shows to have very long hair cut dramatically shorter, this causes a direct feedback that effects all of us here on LHC as well. General society is taught to believe that after a certain age long hair doesn't suit a woman and worse for longhaired males like me, that all males should only have short hair. No, you don't have to watch these makeover shows and you may indeed not care about what the people on these shows do. However, I'm sure you do care if your mother or father or some other family member or your spouse/boyfriend/girlfriend or your friends or other loved one in your life has negative feelings toward your hair.

[Nat242]

Yes Eric, these shows are part of a fashion industry that encourages conformity. Yes, I understand that people experience pressure about their looks and taste in clothes - I have, my partner (a long haired male) has, I get it. I don't like it, and I hope those who face this sort of pressure find the strength and courage they need to persist in doing what makes them happy. I care, please don't suggest that I don't.

I also know that long hair isn't for everyone, and that some people may want advice on how to style their hair shorter, especially if it's been long all their lives. Just because they prefer something different doesn't automatically they've been pressured into that choice, although some undoubtedly are. People sign up to makeover shows because they want a change (for whatever reason, and let me reiterate that I very much dislike the cultural attitude that we must always be keeping up with the latest arbitrary fashions) - and although I'm sure some feel uncomfortable with the pressure they face and make decisions they'll regret because of them, others may not. Not everyone values their hair the way you and I do.

Finally, when I advised, "don't watch", I wasn't saying, "who cares, let it go". I do care about the attitudes and prejudices people face about their appearance. When I advised, "don't watch", I was advising an action that you and others can undertake to help stop this sort of rubbish from being aired. I was saying that these shows will keep going until people stop watching - by watching, and by buying magazines that spout similar messages, you are encouraging the very actions and attitudes you are opposed to.

So, I urge you and others to stop supporting the shows/publications that promote attitudes you're so opposed to, and continue trying to be a positive force for change by breaking the mold and supporting others who wish to do so.

[ericthegreat]

Finally, when I advised, "don't watch", I wasn't saying, "who cares, let it go". I do care about the attitudes and prejudices people face about their appearance. When I advised, "don't watch", I was advising an action that you and others can undertake to help stop this sort of rubbish from being aired. I was saying that these shows will keep going until people stop watching - by watching, and by buying magazines that spout similar messages, you are encouraging the very actions and attitudes you are opposed to.

So, I urge you and others to stop supporting the shows/publications that promote attitudes you're so opposed to, and continue trying to be a positive force for change by breaking the mold and supporting others who wish to do so.

Well that I can agree with Nat. The beauty industry will always be around in one form or another, however I suppose if enough of us longhaired members of society unite together and send a united message, then perhaps the beauty industry might just in fact listen to us and maybe even begin to encourage us to grow and keep our hair longer. We should really speak up I suppose and strongly support a model or actor or actress or singer that who chooses to wear their hair long. By consistant showing that we ourselves support longer hair, the beauty industry will get the message that many people do love longer hair and I'm sure the beauty industry in its never ending quest to seek followers will shift toward the trend to longer hair. So long story short, I guess I'm saying I'd like more mainstream support not just for me but for all of us.

[QueenAnne'sLace]

Sounds like typical tv to me. If it will make someone watch it, no matter if they are happy, interested, or outraged, then that's all that matters to the producers and giant media corporations. We just happen to be in the outraged camp.
I like cutting into their profits (even the tiniest bit) and not watching at all.

[Shastrix]

Most of the TV make-over programmes I have seen in the UK usually culminate with the seemingly ritualistic cutting of long hair usually accompanied by dyeing the hair, as the person's natural colour never seems to “suit them”. My cynical interpretation is that this is a ploy encourage the public to make more frequent hair salon visits as shorter styles and dyed hair usually require attention to maintain...

[Amoretti]

ericthegreat said:
I suppose if enough of us longhaired members of society unite together and send a united message, then perhaps the beauty industry might just in fact listen to us and maybe even begin to encourage us to grow and keep our hair longer.

That will never happen because money makes the world go around and the beauty industry makes far more money selling hair dyes and cutting hair than just trimming long hair. It's a whole money making industry.

[Toadstool]

Make-overs are truly horrifying, because they are molding people in this "standard beauty" that doesn't match with their inner selves. Why not letting people decide for themselves what beautiful means and just let them be? But then again, you could not fill a whole hour of television with respecting people's looks, right?(maybe if some smart tv-producer took that theme and made a docu out of it, I would definitely tune in!)

Many people, also in my surroundings, don't understand that I have a different view on beauty than is considered "trendy". For example; I like white skin over sun tanned skin that many women have after the summer (I just like to maintain my white skin because I feel healthier by it than having all this fuss about sunbathing, getting burned, skin peels off and the whole thing starts over again etc.), I like fullbodied women, I like it that my husband has a bellie that I can put my head on when I'm reading in bed (I do not like this hard toned bodies) , I like loooong untouched hair on women instead of al this freaky looking short hair on women over forty (they all have red/black coloured hair and short hair that looks like a chicken who has been electricuted). Nearly every woman I know is on some sort of diet and it is all they ever talk about (I don't diet although I'm overweight but I like my body but when I say that to these women, they give me this pityfull look and say: Well, it is your body and if you're happy with it, that is all that matters (AAAAARGH). In other words: hey if you wanna look like crap......but WE certainly will fight the weightloss-battle and be worthy of earning our place in this world of beautiful women; you on the other hand don't deserve such a place!

It is sad, that in this society unique beauty isn' t valued for its true worth and I think it is because of the brainwash that the media is giving us with all these socalled perfect men and women and such horror shows as make-overs are also contributing to this feeling that you are not alright you just looking like YOU.

I love your attitude:cool:

[Toadstool]

I love your attitude:cool:

ETA I have no problem with women choosing to cut their hair - on television or elsewhere. I like short hair as much as long hair.It's the pervasive attitude that we are not alright as ourselves that I find much more sinister.

[Angharad]

Thank you very much :) Toadstool for (understanding and) loving my attitude :joy: . ; I really appreciate that.

[ktani]

Makeover shows fill a need by some people or the shows would not exist.

There are people who feel that for whatever reason they need a new image. I have no problem with that.

The ways these shows go about it is another matter.

I can remember a time when there really was pressure for women to conform to what was in style from clothing to hairstyles. That does not exist anymore.

There is such a huge variety of hairstyles everywhere, especially in the fashion industry itself. Hollywood stars used to be emulated for their hairstyles and there are plenty of them these days with long hair.

If people around someone wear short hair and try to pressure a friend into wearing a similar style it may be out of genuine belief that it may be a needed change but to me that is not a friend.

Friends do not judge each other or pressure each other.

I have known beautiful women who are overweight by conventional standards. To me weight is only an issue if it is contributing to or causing health issues for someone but it is still their business, not mine. It can be serious though.

Is someone's weight is not a health issue it should not be a concern if the person is happy with it and if they are not it is still their business only.

[noelgirl]

ETA I have no problem with women choosing to cut their hair - on television or elsewhere. I like short hair as much as long hair.It's the pervasive attitude that we are not alright as ourselves that I find much more sinister.

That's my problem with it, too. Someone might make the choice to cut or grow their hair, or buy some new clothes, or what have you, but it's their choice. But when the context becomes that someone else is making these choices for you because you know nothing, I find that demeaning. It's that the person you are isn't good enough, so let's turn you into the person I want you to be.

My outside reflects my inside. If I look "eccentric" or whatever, it's because this is my taste, and my personality. I don't need a makeover guru to introduce me to the wonderful world of haircuts, as I am well aware of the concept! If I want one, I'll have one. If I don't, I won't. It's pretty straightforward to me.

[lapushka]

Most of the TV make-over programmes I have seen in the UK usually culminate with the seemingly ritualistic cutting of long hair usually accompanied by dyeing the hair, as the person's natural colour never seems to “suit them”. My cynical interpretation is that this is a ploy encourage the public to make more frequent hair salon visits as shorter styles and dyed hair usually require attention to maintain...

Sometimes they even have the audacity to dye the hair in the person's own color, for no other reason than to make it "shine" more. Yes, you actually need dye for that. :rolleyes:

[Toadstool]

Thank you very much :) Toadstool for (understanding and) loving my attitude :joy: . ; I really appreciate that.

you are very welcome. :cool::)

[florenonite]

Most of the TV make-over programmes I have seen in the UK usually culminate with the seemingly ritualistic cutting of long hair usually accompanied by dyeing the hair, as the person's natural colour never seems to “suit them”. My cynical interpretation is that this is a ploy encourage the public to make more frequent hair salon visits as shorter styles and dyed hair usually require attention to maintain...

I have dyed (well, hennaed) my hair once. After a couple months of convincing myself it suited me because I really, really like red hair, I started growing it out and was really happy once I had a couple inches of natural roots because then I looked like me again. If I ever went on a makeover show they'd probably dye my hair because it's a mousy brown colour, and it would almost definitely not suit me as well as my natural colour does. In fact, they'd probably highlight it because blonde hair "brightens the face" or some such thing, and I look pretty ridiculous with blonde hair (it gets highlights in the summer and I hate the way I look with them).

[ericthegreat]

Florenonite, I'm pretty sure you would never ever find yourself on one of these TV makeover shows LOL, you're too strong willed!

I think one of these days we need to all get together and do our own LHC makeovers. We obviously wouldn't be doing any cutting or drastic cutting. We'd all experiment with Nautilus buns and Cinnabuns and chignons and fancy braids on each other. We'd all already look good in our before pictures and would look even better in our after pictures! :cheese:

[eadwine]

Unfortunately putting the hair up or in braids does not count as a make over. That means a drastic change; a bun is not a change, it's not permanent ;)

[Honey39]

I don't watch much television, so I'm with the people who say don't watch and boycott it if it upsets you.

That said, the interesting thing about the UK version of 10 Years Younger was that the last two presenters who have been women in their thirties with rather beautiful BSL hair; they advocate short chops, but hang on to their luscious locks! I have seen them give extensions though, so it's not all about short hair. And to be honest, you often get a lot of people on the show whose hair is NOT long and in great shape, but long and in poor condition and a bit tatty looking (bleached over and over again etc, faded, long roots); the end result is often very very pretty, to be honest. And to give a makeover, you can't GROW hair to make people different.

I haven't seen that many of the long hair being chopped off programmes that this thread describes, so maybe they're not that popular here in the UK?

[LadyLongLocks]

What bothers me about these shows is that audiences are getting the message that it's somehow WRONG for women to choose long hair.

From these shows, the message is:

- long hair is ugly
- long hair is selfish (Locks of Love propaganda)
- long hair is demeaning (because it's associated with fringe religious groups)
- long hair is "disgusting" (I've heard that one a lot)
- long hair means you're insecure (because you're "hiding behind it")
- long hair is an indicator of mental instability (again, heard that more than once)

So if a woman chooses to grow her hair long, all these negative associations are thrown at her. We're ugly, disgusting, selfish, insecure and possibly mentally unstable. Just for having long hair? Really?

If all this negativity was shown toward any other physical attribute, such as body shape or skin colour, we'd all jump up and yell DISCRIMINATION! But because it's long hair, and the "problem" is so easily "corrected" (i.e. by getting a haircut), we're just expected to roll over and take it. And then we have to be grateful to the fashion industry for "saving" us from our ugly, disgusting, selfish, insecure selves.

Sorry, but I just find something deeply disturbing about that.

I totally agree 100%!!!! well said!

[juliaxena]

I find this post disrespectful to the lady. I think it's not very nice to think she is a weak person who knows no better but to follow fashion rules. I also think it's disrespectful to think that everybody really wants long hair and just cuts it because they give in the pressure. I wonder why people keep wanting others to be like them.

[ericthegreat]

Juliaxena, I believe you have misunderstood the whole message of my thread.

This thread is not meant to disrespect the woman I saw getting the makeover or anyone who appears on these makeover shows. The message that I am trying to get across is that I would like to see these women being allowed more of a say in their makeovers. Someone with very long hair shouldn't have to have it cut drastically shorter, especially when many of these women getting the makeovers have clearly expressed how much they love their long hair and yet the hairstylist still ignores their pleas and goes right ahead and gives them a very short haircut.

And you are right, not everyone wants really long hair. However, the women we are talking about clearly do like their hair longer or else they obviously would not grow their hair so long. I would like it if more of these makeover shows allowed these women to keep their hair long, perhaps give them an elegant updo, a straight and sleek blowout or some sexy curls and natural, simple makeup that they could easily do themselves when they get home.

[ktani]

Juliaxena, I believe you have misunderstood the whole message of my thread.

This thread is not meant to disrespect the woman I saw getting the makeover or anyone who appears on these makeover shows. The message that I am trying to get across is that I would like to see these women being allowed more of a say in their makeovers. Someone with very long hair shouldn't have to have it cut drastically shorter, especially when many of these women getting the makeovers have clearly expressed how much they love their long hair and yet the hairstylist still ignores their pleas and goes right ahead and gives them a very short haircut.

And you are right, not everyone wants really long hair. However, the women we are talking about clearly do like their hair longer or else they obviously would not grow their hair so long. I would like it if more of these makeover shows allowed these women to keep their hair long, perhaps give them an elegant updo, a straight and sleek blowout or some sexy curls and natural, simple makeup that they could easily do themselves when they get home.

To be fair Eric, I have seen Nick, the stylist on What Not to Wear, discuss what someone does at home to their hair and try to give them a style they can manage and not take off more than the woman wants on more than one occasion. He is still too razor happy for my liking but he is not that bad all of the time. The same goes for the make-up. The make-up artist does try to accomodate the women and simplify things for them. So not all of the shows are the same.

[naomimcc]

Exactly. I came back to this thread to point this out. They don't snatch unwilling victims off the streets.

Yup. People who go on those shows WANT to go on those shows. Simple as that.

[nowxisxforever]

I was contacted 3 days ago and invited to be on the Tyra Show where they were doing makeovers and were looking for a lady with "SUPER long hair" so they could let Ttra herself chop it off as short as she wanted, even a bob cut. I have a BLOG (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/blog.php?b=53873) here with more details.
And posted the story on my hair site (http://jjjlonghairphotopage.zoomshare.com/1.shtml?y=2009&m=9&d=15&detail=1#0a6ddd97b7674fecdfd18bb023dad783) too for public viewing.

IMO a woman who goes on a show like that isn't thinking and is just setting herself up.
Even if I was going to cut my hair I would NEVER go on a show like this, even if I was paid.
I have seen many shows like this and I think they are degrading. The hairdressers gladly chop it off with no love or respect for long hair.
On top of it, many shows brag about donating the hair to Locks of Love, which is a scam!
The whole thing makes me sick! But the long hair lady agreed to do it...WTH was she thinking!!!!

Ridiculous!! I'm so glad you turned them down. You have the most beautiful hair I have ever seen. I would cry if they made you cut it off, in public nonetheless, when you obviously enjoy it so much! Horrible, horrible people. Horrible.

[adiapalic]

It's kind of like a broken record at this point, huh? They really can't get any more creative. What they're banking on is higher ratings, and though it's nothing that hasn't been done before, they're sure that enough people will be tuning in to fill their wallets. It's gross.

[Flynn]

I was contacted 3 days ago and invited to be on the Tyra Show where they were doing makeovers and were looking for a lady with "SUPER long hair" so they could let Ttra herself chop it off as short as she wanted, even a bob cut. I have a BLOG (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/blog.php?b=53873) here with more details.
And posted the story on my hair site (http://jjjlonghairphotopage.zoomshare.com/1.shtml?y=2009&m=9&d=15&detail=1#0a6ddd97b7674fecdfd18bb023dad783) too for public viewing.

IMO a woman who goes on a show like that isn't thinking and is just setting herself up.
Even if I was going to cut my hair I would NEVER go on a show like this, even if I was paid.
I have seen many shows like this and I think they are degrading. The hairdressers gladly chop it off with no love or respect for long hair.
On top of it, many shows brag about donating the hair to Locks of Love, which is a scam!
The whole thing makes me sick! But the long hair lady agreed to do it...WTH was she thinking!!!!

O.o In ages past, that would be quite a high form of public humiliation! And they have the nerve to actually approach you...?!?!?!!

[Rentlle]

pfffffffffffff, I hate make-over shows in that way..
but still, it's their choice to cut it.
But I can understand how shows like this tend to brainwash people... :(

[ZadenWillowfyre]

Exactly. Who cares what you do with your own body right? The standards for today's beauty is just silly and ridiculous. Cloths especially, why do we need to purchase the $100 shirt just to be "in". So stupid.

[Tanuki]

:rolleyes: I like my long hair, but I think some of the opinions go a bit far. I do not think fashion or the media have some kind of a conspiracy against long hair or the people in general. They're just doing what they can to have a drastic make-over. Considering they're working inside of a time frame, a hair cut is a quick way to get a drastic physical change, plus slaving hair to the shape of the face is a valid beauty strategy.

Like Spidermom said, these people are okay with chopping their hair off. There is one minor conspiracy, and that is the fact that hair stylists like complicated styles that you need to come back and maintain, but can you blame them for wanting to keep getting business? I like eating too and a world of long haired people negates the need for hair stylists...or makes them really expensive.

Which leads me to my next point

Quality clothing will always be expensive, whether it is stylish or not. That's a symptom of getting what you pay for. However, the industrialized society has not only skewed the perspective of the people, but actually made the prices of clothing worse.

When Walmart can sell a T-shirt for 4.99 apiece and a pack of 5 for 20:00, people aren't generally going to pay the price for one shirt of superior quality. Before, a shirt like that would be something to hand down, but nowadays hand-me-down's have become the stuff of the poor or "losers." so the shirt will probably end up being disposed of.

Now, designers aren't going to stop making clothing, and they're not going to create a bunch of cheap mass produced pieces by and large ( a lot of them probably couldn't afford to anyway) so all they can do is prodce a much smaller number of them and jack up the price in some crazy bid to actually make a profit. The people who are willing to spend the money on these items view them as a sort of sign of superiority and lord it over the people who can't get them (as has been done since forever). Someone sees an opportunity and jacks up the price on other items in an attempt to seem even more exclusive, chain stores produce infinitely less expensive mass-produced knock offs and the cycle continues.

So you see, the $100 shirt isn't just an attempt at being stylish, it's all part of an ugly cycle, though the original idea was that said shirt is likely at least more likely to last than the k-mart version for $14.99. As the owner of $50 and $14.99 shirts respectively, I can attest to that fact personally

[Leena7]

I would like to say that I watch tons of makeover shows, but that's because I love clothes. Anyways, in my experience, most of the women on the shows, don't really feel that great about themselves. Certainly, some makeovers are ridiculous because the person will never be able to achieve the look at home, but I feel like some other shows, such as What Not To Wear, really do make the women feel better about themselves. To me, the show isn't about destroying someone's unique style, but rather giving the person time for themselves to do nothing other than buy new clothes and get attention. Many of these women lead busy lives, dress in clothes that they don't really like, dress in a way that is not respectable to themselves, or dress inappropriately for their jobs. I think some makeover shows just give women pampering that they would not otherwise get on a daily basis. Also, lots of times they cut women's hair on these shows because the women do not treat their hair right. Sometimes the women have bleached their hair into oblivion or have other kinds of damage.
I like some makeover shows, but I'm not saying that I don't think that every woman is beautiful in her own unique way. I do feel like makeovers can have some positive benefits to the woman on them, and I do like to watch them, mainly because I like clothes. Yes, I know the point of the shows are to make money, but I'm not going to pretend that I have no interest in fashion at all.

[berr]

Oh, no, not another thread ranting about makeover shows.

Those women are there of their own accord. If they don't want to get their hair cut and their look changed why do they go on them? :shrug:

Why should I be outraged because they knowingly decided to go on the show? :shrug:

Quite! In the past, I've given hair stylists permission and said 'do something'. I'm sick of it. In the early 80's I had a long hair perm. (hair bands.. yeah). In the early 90's I had a job where 'professional' attire and appearance' were part of the job description so I had a bob. I had the stylist that did my bob do a 'make up makeover'. Lordy, she really smeared on the putty and paint. Everyone in the salon was saying how good I looked... LOL. Then I went to pick up my middle son who was in 5th or 6th grade at the time. Reality sank in when he looked at me and wrinkled his nose and said.. 'geez, mom, did your makeup blow up all over your face, or what?

Some times our lives change and we feel the need to change our appearance. I know that if I should ever get cancer, I'll cut off my braid and save it. I'll start all over. I've thought about this and I think the damage to my hair would be terrible so why not start over? Why get so het up in saving your hair IF it will upset you to go bald and have long stringy patches?

I've seen some very nice makeovers of older women where they added some hair color to their otherwise standard hair length and a bit of color to their cheeks and they looked absolutely radiant. They weren't trying to make them look younger. They just looked better and they had chin length or short hair before they started. The shaping and color were nice.


If you need change, CHANGE. Just wait a couple of weeks before anything drastic. If you still feel that way.. go for it.


We certainly don't get alarmed when someone changes their diet... or their exercise routine... or their job.

[Alia]

I hate makeover shows too, but I did see once on What Not to Wear where a blonde woman with waist length hair bitched and faught the stylist (it was an older episode) and KEPT her hair. You just have to be willing to fight for it it seems...that and make sure the contract you sign will let you fight for it. :)

I remember that show. I believe she was addicted to bra-less tube tops and hot pants. While I admired her for standing up to Mr.-Chop-It-All-Off, she was pretty obnoxious.

[vindo]

Yeah..just wait until I get old and rock the **** out of my long hair..:p

I can not believe how many people out there blindly go with the 'mainstream'..:rolleyes:

[berr]

Yeah..just wait until I get old and rock the **** out of my long hair..:p

I can not believe how many people out there blindly go with the 'mainstream'..:rolleyes:

I'm, curious what you consider OLD. :confused: I'm wondering how long I'm going to be able to manage my hair if my arthritis keeps getting worse.

[vindo]

I'm, curious what you consider OLD. :confused: I'm wondering how long I'm going to be able to manage my hair if my arthritis keeps getting worse.

Old by societys standards so that could come sooner or later...

[Tanuki]

Y'all sure do treat the mainstream as a whipping boy here.

[berr]

Old by societys standards so that could come sooner or later...

Lemme see... during the 60's and 70's the byline was don't trust anyone over 30. The youth deemed that anything over 30 was too old to be trustworthy. LOL

So IMO societal standards suck.

If you asked our younger members what is old.. they'd probably say their parents. If you asked me what is old.. I'd probably say 80ish.

[Fractalsofhair]

Personally, it is annoying that they pick styles that will look horrid if done at home, but that's what MOST standard stylists do. They want you in for a thrice weekly wash and blowout!

It's how they make money...

Other than that, long hair isn't seen as attractive as you can't do all the things to it that you can do to short hair. You can't flat iron it, wash it daily, bleach it every 2 weeks etc.

[vindo]

Lemme see... during the 60's and 70's the byline was don't trust anyone over 30. The youth deemed that anything over 30 was too old to be trustworthy. LOL

So IMO societal standards suck.

If you asked our younger members what is old.. they'd probably say their parents. If you asked me what is old.. I'd probably say 80ish.

Okay.. and thats exactly what I wanted to say with by "societys standards", after all it is society that dislikes long hair on women past a certain age.

I'm confused about your point here :confused:

[Tanuki]

Personally, it is annoying that they pick styles that will look horrid if done at home, but that's what MOST standard stylists do. They want you in for a thrice weekly wash and blowout!

It's how they make money...

Other than that, long hair isn't seen as attractive as you can't do all the things to it that you can do to short hair. You can't flat iron it, wash it daily, bleach it every 2 weeks etc.

Or get spikes, which is the new look

[PhillyGirl1978@]

Tyra is gonna have another make-over show...I saw the previews of a girl with beautiful long hair who hasn't cut it for 12 years. Tyra happily told everyone she was gonna chop it off! Why do these people let them do that?

[gnegirl]

It does make for drama....but i agree its pretty sad to force everyone to some arbitrary standard....

[MOrab46019]

I just saw that Tyra on You Tuble the lady didn't look happy after the cut. Heck I wouldn't know what the call the cut.