A New Sensation

Someone generating lots of buzz for her style right now is Susan Boyle. If you don't know, she is the woman who has become an overnight Internet sensation from her audition for Britain's Got Talent. Actually, if you don't know, please stop reading and check her out right now. She has drawn so much attention because, quite honestly, she is a frumpish woman with an amazing voice. I am not being mean when I describe her appearance this way. In fact, I am fascinated by how much discussion her appearance has generated. I have repeatedly heard and read about whether or not Susan Boyle should get a makeover. The most recent opinion provided was by Robin Givhan, the fashion reporter for The Washington Post. I usually read Givhan's reports on the designer collections at the New York and Paris shows, so I was taken aback to read an entire front-of-the-Style-section article about a 47-year-old Scottish woman who was unknown to most of the world just two weeks ago.


But one line in Givhan's piece really stuck with me. She wrote "The point of a proper makeover is not to look like someone else but the best version of yourself." I totally agree. While we enjoy staying on top of the latest celebrity looks and trends at the salon, I think there is an important distinction between replicating a celebrity and drawing inspiration from a celebrity. I admit I love seeing a dramatic makeover on TV as much as anybody else. But in the salon my favorite makeovers are when we take what the client already has and enhance it. I know it's a successful makeover when I see the client glowing as she leaves. This tells me that not only does she look good, but she feels good. She still feels like herself, but as Givhan said, the best version of herself. As for Susan Boyle, sure I could see a more polished look for her. But watching her on TV, I can't help but notice that she is already glowing. And you just can't make that up.