Ask Fashion Girl

Dear Cayla:

Comparing yourself to the stars is a tricky business. What we're seeing in a photo of a celebrity isn't real life. It isn't what they look like when they're wearing makeup they've applied on their own in their bathroom mirror. We only see these people when they've had their hair and makeup done by professionals and probably their outfit coordinated as well. Just think about this for a minute: the person to whom you're comparing yourself has a whole team of people working to get them beautified. You have . . . just yourself.

Also, when we see celebrities in magazines they are not usually wearing everyday clothes from The Gap or Express or Abercrombie like you and I wear. They're wearing some designer outfit that has cost hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars. A trick often used by stylists to the stars is mixing a lot of hand-picked vintage pieces in with the designer clothes, which gives their clients an extra shot of style. (Fortunately, this is one style weapon you DO have!)

Another thing celebrities have going for them is all the great tips they've gleaned from having their makeup and hair done by professionals many times. You can get some of these tips by having makeup makeovers at beauty counters at the mall and by having your hair professionally done a few times.

So you see, it doesn't make much sense to feel like you should live up to the image of an actress or a model. However, it does give you something to aspire to!!

Sincerely, Fashion Girl