Ladies, What Would It Take For You To Fix Your Face?
Maybe you don't think your face is "broken."
Or maybe there's that little bump on your nose that's always bothered you.
Saw a very interesting film Tuesday night with my friend Virginia Postrel -- "Take My Nose...Please!" by Joan Kron -- a documentary about plastic surgery, focusing on female comedians who've had and are having it.
In a discussion afterward, Virginia made the point -- which she'd also made in The Future And Its Enemies -- that more people would have plastic surgery but for the risk from anesthesia and the expense.
Accordingly, plastic surgeon on the panel noted that the procedures that are really growing (as part of a practice) are the ones that don't require anesthesia, like fillers and Botox.
After the film, a woman heading the organization sponsoring it -- a new Hollywood organization called "Greenlight Women" -- felt compelled to stand up and say they don't endorse plastic surgery. (Can't have a Hollywood event without somebody standing up and saying something desperately PC.)
She talked about how some women choose to "age gracefully." This woman is some big entertainment lawyer, age 53 or 57 -- can't remember exactly the age she gave. (We were all told to tell our age to the person next to us. Virginia and I both looked at each other and laughed, as our exact birthdates are on our Wikipedia pages.)
Anyway, back to this "aging gracefully" business, I noted to Virginia's husband, seated next to me, that -- for example -- I'm sure this lawyer eschews contacts or glasses and just lets the pages go blurry when she's reading movie stars' contracts and all.
I see nothing wrong with fixing features you don't like or want to improve, and though there are people who take that to grotesque lengths, the movie showed a number of women who just wanted to feel a little better when they looked in the mirror.
Baby Houseman, Jeanie Bueller, Toni from Red Dawn.
There is definitely something wrong with Plastic Surgery today. And definitely something wrong about Hollywood.
Sure, sure, their bodies, their choice, and if some licensed goniff says come into my parlor, why should I care what flies in?
But there is something definitely wrong with Plastic Surgery today. And something definitely wrong about Hollywood.
Someone put Baby's nose in the corner and I'm not having it. I want Baby's nose back. Just as much as I want my flying car.
jerry at October 11, 2017 12:50 AM
But.. The secret to age gracefully in Hollywood is to get something called Early Maintenance Facelift, which is getting minor retouches every now and then before the performer's face starts to show signs of aging.
That's how you see actresses bask under the sun at the beach and yet they don't end up with a wrinkled face.
Sixclaws at October 11, 2017 6:01 AM
Funny timing. I have a consultation for an eyelid lift later today. Ive always had hooded eyes, but now that Im 40 they just sag. Ive done botox, I hated it. I couldnt move my face. I could definitely see fillers as the lips collapse as I age.
Momof4 at October 11, 2017 6:28 AM
Sixclaws, I'll be surprised if ANY actresses really spend that much time in the sun. Putting on a load of sunblock and then having to wash it off and put makeup on all over again would be a pain. I seldom burned as a kid, even without sunblock, but now, I don't trust the sun not to burn me even when the temperature is 72 F.
Besides, while tanning salons may not be dead, I don't hear of anyone FAMOUS using them, as a rule.
lenona at October 11, 2017 7:03 AM
Momof4, you always have such a healthy, realistic perspective.
Actresses now, I think, know better than to spend a lot of time in the sun.
I'm 53 and I don't look it because I live like a bat. (The kind that hangs in caves, not the kind you play baseball with.) I also wear the most protective sunblock there is -- the French version of Anthelios.
Amy Alkon at October 11, 2017 7:27 AM
I'd consider any number of small procedures. I don't like the way I'm aging, and I'm not sitting out in the sun with any regularity, or smoking or an alcoholic. I've always hated my weak chin, and now It's getting worse and I can pinch fat. (I haven't gained weight.) My eyes are getting more hooded. My cheeks are losing their fullness. I can see how I'm going to age when I look at my mother and grandmother. It's not fine lines that bother me; the actual structure of my face is changing, and I hate it. (I've had pretty good luck with fine lines by doing peels and masks regularly, except for in my forhead. I scowl too much.) I will probably spend a big chunk of my bonus in the spring on correcting some of the things that have been bothering me.
ahw at October 11, 2017 8:07 AM
Having had real medically-needed surgeries, I can't say that I am inclined to have "work done" unless it is necessary, preventative, or improves the quality of my life.
Shannon at October 11, 2017 10:36 AM
There have been many mornings when this guy would really like to be able to slap on some makeup. At least concealer.
And yes, my eyes are getting hooded and I have crow's feet. But as a guy I can call it rugged/craggy - not an option for women.
Ben David at October 16, 2017 12:09 AM
Leave a comment