# A Picture Thread: Before & After Make-up, Or Other Things **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 31, 2009, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-picture-thread-before-after-make-up-or-other-things/483840 "2009-01-31T05:36:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-picture-thread-before-after-make-up-or-other-things/483840/41 "2009-02-01T06:36:45Z")
> [@JKilez](#): > > If anything, the one without makeup has a slight edge. You have a natural beauty. Seconded. (Talking about **CairoCarol**.) **Reply** , I had no idea you could lose weight rock climbing. I thought you had to be fit first. How much money did you have to sink into the sport? I may start getting into it now! Hostile Dialect, Hostile Dialect, Narcissist ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-picture-thread-before-after-make-up-or-other-things/483840/42 "2009-02-01T06:43:32Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > Ah, here we go: [me wearing glasses.](http://www.flickr.com/photos/7971087@N03/3242530853/) That makes for a much more dramatic contrast in my case. As you can imagine, I wear contact lenses most of the time. At the risk of sounding weird, glasses or not, you have fabulous eyes. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-picture-thread-before-after-make-up-or-other-things/483840/43 "2009-02-01T08:07:11Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > **Pyper** , your “supernerd” picture is actually really cute, I think … okay, you don’t look like a supermodel in that shot, but you look like someone I’d want to know - smart and funny. Seconded 🙂 Stole the words right out of my mouth. > [@tesseract](#): > > Wow, nice job, **Reply**! You look great. How much weight did you lose? Thank you. That means a lot, actually. I went from 250 to 160 but that was when I was in hardcore self-hatred mode. Now I’m back to 180 or so, but I’ve also mellowed out a lot in the process… I’m still going to try and get it down eventually to 150 or so for a healthier body fat ratio, but hopefully not at the expense of my sanity this time. Slow and steady. > [@Hostile\_Dialect](#): > > **Reply** , I had no idea you could lose weight rock climbing. I thought you had to be fit first. > > How much money did you have to sink into the sport? I may start getting into it now! > > Hostile Dialect, > Hostile Dialect, Narcissist I don’t want to hijack this thread so I won’t go into TOO much detail here; I’ll say a bit and if you have more questions or whatnot, please feel free to PM me 🙂 I didn’t just climb; it was a complete lifestyle change from a totally sedentary one to one with proper nutrition (NOT a “diet”, but healthy, sustainable lifelong eating habits) combined with climbing, swimming, jogging, martial arts and weight training. It took a beautiful girl, one too many rejections, and a long, hard look in the mirror, but I went all out and it was the second-best thing I ever did with my life. While it IS possible to lose weight climbing – doing ANY sort of exercise with sufficient duration and intensity will cause muscle gain and/or fat loss – I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it as a starting point if you’re very overweight, if only because it’s going to be, as you suspected, that much harder. I would imagine there’s a break-off point (in terms of body weight) where the difficulty and frustration factor of being unable to pull yourself up more than a few feet will outweigh the enjoyment the sport can give. That said, it’s definitely not impossible! I started climbing when I was about 200-220 ; keep in mind that I was so weak at the time I could not do a single (not even one) push-up or pull-up and couldn’t even run a mile. I also got a friend who weighed 300-400 lbs (she wouldn’t say) into the sport; she’d only have the energy to do it once or twice a month, but at least it got her motivated and gave her something to really look forward to someday. But that’s the thing! More than just weight loss or muscle gain (there was both, to be sure), it was the sheer _passion_ of it – I fell in love with the sport, with the fear and the conquest thereof, the adrenaline, the internal growth, the rugged scenery, the people, the feeling of achievement, etc., etc. that it motivated me to do everything else just so I could get better. I’m still not very good, but climbing has already irrevocably changed my life for the better. It took me a year or two before I felt comfortable self-identifying as a climber, but now it’s one of the things I’m most proud of in life. And it doesn’t have to be an expensive sport at all. For the first year or so, I only spent about $150 on a starter package (shoes, harness, chalk, carabiner) and that’s enough for many types of climbing. My 24 Hour Fitness happened to have an included rock wall, as does my current university, but independent gyms generally run about $30-$50 a month, and of course outdoor climbing is generally free. Anyway. That’s enough, lol; if you let me, I’ll rave about it for pages 😃 PM me if you want more info. ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-picture-thread-before-after-make-up-or-other-things/483840/44 "2009-02-01T08:25:08Z")
Wow! I’ll keep that in mind. I’m somewhere around 220-230 (depending on which scale you ask and which week it is) and I could pump out a halfway-respectable pushup set. I’m 6’0", so if you’re shorter (it sounds like you are if you’re shooting for 150), I’m probably at a closer starting point than you are. That said, I don’t have $150 period and don’t have a job, so I don’t see that happening. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![3acresandatruck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/e79b87/32.png) [@3acresandatruck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3acresandatruck)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-picture-thread-before-after-make-up-or-other-things/483840/45 "2009-02-01T09:11:57Z")
> [@Scarlett67](#): > > That’s 13? Well, I was _almost_ 14. I’d kind of forgotten about my appearance back then, but an explanation: I had smashed up my face several months before the photo was taken. Broken teeth, broken nose, abrasions, contusions, stitches, yada yada yada. I actually had people who knew me scream and run away (literally! - it still makes me laugh when I remember Laura running down the hall at school) when they saw me the first time after the incident. I’d healed to the point where I don’t think anything really shows in the photo, but I look older in the picture than I would look in my driver’s license photo at 16. My upper incisors in the photo were caps Mom made me wear for the picture; I hated the way they felt and they only lasted a few months. Any scars that remain are lost in my wrinkles now. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-picture-thread-before-after-make-up-or-other-things/483840/46 "2009-02-01T10:00:42Z")
> [@Hostile\_Dialect](#): > > Wow! I’ll keep that in mind. I’m somewhere around 220-230 (depending on which scale you ask and which week it is) and I could pump out a halfway-respectable pushup set. I’m 6’0", so if you’re shorter (it sounds like you are if you’re shooting for 150), I’m probably at a closer starting point than you are. > > That said, I don’t have $150 period and don’t have a job, so I don’t see that happening. ☹ I’m 5’ 9". You’ll be fine. The added height can be an advantage too 🙂 Most gyms let you rent equipment for a day too, if you just want to give it a try. And I know you do. You know you do. I can smell the desire emanating from your hands all the way from up here. ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-picture-thread-before-after-make-up-or-other-things/483840/47 "2009-02-01T10:17:42Z")
I do. I just have no money. Really, between my out-of-state speeding ticket, textbooks next quarter, and saving up to study Spanish dialectology in Spain this summer, I can’t spend a dime on anything that isn’t: 1. food 2. one of the three things mentioned above 3. buckeyes Hostile Dialect, Hostile Dialect, Narcissist ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-picture-thread-before-after-make-up-or-other-things/483840/48 "2009-02-01T11:05:32Z")
If you’re a student, your school might have cheap/free climbing facilities. My school rents equipment (harness and shoes) for something like $3-$5 a day. It’s more than a dime, but not much. ---
**Author:** ![KnitWit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f0a364/32.png) [@KnitWit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KnitWit)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-picture-thread-before-after-make-up-or-other-things/483840/49 "2009-02-01T12:20:13Z")
Laura before: [![](https://tinypic.com/images/goodbye.jpg) ](https://tinypic.com/images/goodbye.jpg) Laura after: [![](https://tinypic.com/images/goodbye.jpg) ](https://tinypic.com/images/goodbye.jpg) [![](https://tinypic.com/images/goodbye.jpg) ](https://tinypic.com/images/goodbye.jpg) Much better, huh? This is fun. CairoCarol, you look great in the “after” photo, but you seriously don’t need makeup. You’re a beautiful woman! Gorgeous skin! Maybe I’ll do a before and after makeup today. I LOVE playing in eyeshadow. ---
**Author:** ![KnitWit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f0a364/32.png) [@KnitWit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KnitWit)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-picture-thread-before-after-make-up-or-other-things/483840/50 "2009-02-01T12:25:06Z")
Wow, there are a lot of really attractive Dopers! Do you think all the Dope makes people prettier? ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-picture-thread-before-after-make-up-or-other-things/483840/51 "2009-02-01T19:00:06Z")
> [@KnitWit](#): > > Laura before: > > [http://i43.tinypic.com/2enxk47.jpg](http://i43.tinypic.com/2enxk47.jpg) > > Laura after: > > [http://i39.tinypic.com/kbd1z6.jpg](http://i39.tinypic.com/kbd1z6.jpg) > > [http://i40.tinypic.com/xoqr7d.jpg](http://i40.tinypic.com/xoqr7d.jpg) > > Much better, huh? This is fun. Good grief - color me jealous. You look great before and after. Actually, I didn’t notice a whole lot of difference before and after. The makeup you wear just enhances already beautiful features. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-picture-thread-before-after-make-up-or-other-things/483840/52 "2009-02-01T22:22:45Z")
> [@KnitWit](#): > > Wow, there are a lot of really attractive Dopers! Do you think all the Dope makes people prettier? Nope. I’ve been here for years and it hasn’t worked yet! ---
**Author:** ![criminey.jicket](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@criminey.jicket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/criminey.jicket)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-picture-thread-before-after-make-up-or-other-things/483840/53 "2009-02-01T22:53:30Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > Including a conceited (and slightly drunk, I think) [self-portrait in the bathroom mirror](http://picasaweb.google.com/random789/Sdme?authkey=wjePu6ZPVPw#5297629141499198322), heh. I think it’s a more jaded than conceited look. Also, rawr. ---
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-picture-thread-before-after-make-up-or-other-things/483840/54 "2009-02-01T23:24:50Z")
> [@criminey.jicket](#): > > Also, rawr. Seconded! Too bad California is so far away… ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-picture-thread-before-after-make-up-or-other-things/483840/55 "2009-02-02T00:09:19Z")
> [@lorene](#): > > Nope. I’ve been here for years and it hasn’t worked yet! That doesn’t count. You were a babe to begin with. ---
**Author:** ![KnitWit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f0a364/32.png) [@KnitWit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KnitWit)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-picture-thread-before-after-make-up-or-other-things/483840/56 "2009-02-02T03:57:29Z")
> [@overlyverbose](#): > > Good grief - color me jealous. You look great before and after. Actually, I didn’t notice a whole lot of difference before and after. The makeup you wear just enhances already beautiful features. Hey, that was really nice of you! I certainly notice the before and after difference. For example, I can MOVE! And, you know, fit in an airplane seat and stuff. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-picture-thread-before-after-make-up-or-other-things/483840/57 "2009-02-02T04:07:02Z")
[Makup-less.](http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x163/faeriehazel/me/Picture001.jpg) [With the face on.](http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x163/faeriehazel/newtop02.jpg) [Face + new haircut.](http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x163/faeriehazel/hair/haircut02.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-picture-thread-before-after-make-up-or-other-things/483840/58 "2009-02-02T06:26:39Z")
> [@criminey.jicket](#): > > I think it’s a more jaded than conceited look. Also, rawr. > [@Lionne](#): > > Seconded! Too bad California is so far away… Jaded? Yeah, I guess. Especially after half an hour in that goddamned bathroom. First and last time I ever pose for myself, heh. And hah, thanks. If you’re single, female, lonely, and desperate, I hear Arcata’s great this time of year 😃 It’s only one plane ticket… ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-picture-thread-before-after-make-up-or-other-things/483840/59 "2009-02-02T07:00:26Z")
Wow, **Hazel** , your new haircut is stunning! ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-picture-thread-before-after-make-up-or-other-things/483840/60 "2009-02-02T10:57:00Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > That doesn’t count. You were a babe to begin with. YOU are awesome. Thank you. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-picture-thread-before-after-make-up-or-other-things/483840.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-picture-thread-before-after-make-up-or-other-things/483840.md?page=4)