Makeover 2000, another world

Last night was our night at Makeover 2000. I was quite nervous on the way there , wondering how on earth they would manage to make me look good enough for the stunning photographs I had heard of , but once we arrived and looked at the Before and After shots in glorious technicolour in Reception I could see anything was possible . I had also had what to war anxieties . Though the woman who booked us said most people just wear the stuff they provide for the shots , she also said we could bring a favorite top along if we really wanted to be taken in that . I wondered if it seemed a little pathetic not even to be able to muster up one single thing suitable for a photo shoot , and in the end stuffed a couple of flattering ( ish ) vest tops into my bag . I know from looking at these kind of pictures that they tend not to take pictures of people heavily covered up in dark shades ( my usual look ) and that its customary for a deal of flesh to be on view . Nat seemed very calm in comparison , having changed out of her school uniform on the way and having no qualms about her outfit or accessories . I couldnt help comparing myself when I was thirteen , fat , spotty , greasy hair , and wondering how she managed to be so poised even as she embarks on her teens , arguably the most tricky bit of growing up ( something I'm still doing myself at Forty Something ).

The staff at Makeover 2000 were excellent. Very relaxed and up beat and after a few minutes on the leather sofas flicking through makeover pictures and watching the other arrivals , all of whom seemed as unprepared as I felt , it soon seemed the most natural place in the world to be .
Before long Esther arrived to take us upstairs and when I balked at the tiny looking lift squeaking " I cant go in there I need to take the stairs " she didnt turn a hair and we all pretended walking up the stairs was exactly what we needed at five pm on a Friday evening . My Gym Habit was beginning to make itself felt in the region of my buttocks by level two but I kept my counsel and before I knew it I was sitting in a chair under the lights , top off and bra pulled down ( to give strap marks a chance to fade before the pics ) , fortunately facing away from the mirror . Esther asked me all those questions that I hate " what look did you have in mind ? "
Er , I dont know . ( Something that makes me look like one of those models in the pictures but No I dont have a clue which one )
Do you wear make up ?
Er yes . (Cant you tell ? I have the same stuff on I wear every day . )
What colours do you usually go for ?
Erm , sort of pinks and browns .....

She soon realises what she is dealing with and I tell her Im very happy to be guided by her . She tells me she will go for a Fresh Look which sounds intriguing and when I ask do most people ( ie the more confident ones than me ?) come along with very defined ideas about their final appearance .
She tells me that it varies , that most people point to one of the pictures and say " I want that one " , though as she says , some of these looks are now quite dated and shows me a smokey eyed look which apparently is very popular but is now not what she would be choosing to do . I brighten up at this thinking that maybe someone like me who knows all sorts about cats and psychology but nowt about makeup is really not such a difficult customer as it means she can have free reign .
All the while she is plastering on foundation with sponges , brushing my cheeks and eyes endlessly , poking me with eyeliners and shadows and then applying and reapplying three different lip colours . Now lipstick I do know about . Three years ago I decided I had had enough of buying lip glosses and never wearing them as they looked all wrong , and went along to Karen at Bobbi Brown who sat me down and applied two amazing shades and then ( it being a quiet Friday no doubt ) took it upon hersel to make up my face completely with blushers , eyeliners etc and sent me off a very happy bunny . And since then I do often wear lip colour and know its the right shade . I trust Karen implicitly and besides , you can tell when youve got the right colour . Just you can tell when its all wrong ( And hey , do I know that feeling ! )

Esther is apparently feeling its all wrong as she wipes and re wipes but finally , after a quizzical stare ( and remember my back is still to the mirror so I can only guess at whats going wrong as she tuts and grimaces ) I pluck up courage and ask what colour the lips are and she says she s aiming for pink though not to worry its not Hot Pink ! Oh right I say , not sure whether to laugh or cry ... but suddenly either its all come together or Esther has given up hope , and she swings me round to face the mirror and I see myself , now also in glorious technicolour ! Wow.
I stare at myself critically wondering how different I actually look , focusing in on the wrinkly bits around my eyes but noticing the complete absense of black bags which are a permamnet feature . And I like the lip colour . Its very very glossy an d my lips look twice the size. Before I wipe this off later I resolve to have a good look at what shes done to establish whether theres any hope of my emulating it . Little chance as the make up is heavy photogrphic stuff but worth a try I guess.
But for the moment its time to see how Nat is faring in the next booth and then , on to the next stage .
The photographers!