# That's Taylor Swift?!? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 20, 2015, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-taylor-swift/720407 "2015-05-20T05:38:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-taylor-swift/720407/1 "2015-05-20T05:38:27Z")
[On the cover of Maxim.](http://www.maxim.com/sites/default/files/styles/custom_crop/public/editor/2015/05/204_0615_cv_sl.jpg?itok=jd3rbQvG) Ignoring what you may or may not think of her music, am I the only one who looks at that photo and says, “No way that’s Taylor Swift!” I mean, it just doesn’t look like her. At all. For one thing the girl in that photo is way cuter. For another she doesn’t have Swift’s freaky Vulcan eyes. Is it just a lack of makeup? In which case why does she wear it?! Or have I fully joined the old fart club and this really is some new super model with the same name? ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-taylor-swift/720407/2 "2015-05-20T05:42:53Z")
The eyeliner and red bow lip is (or maybe was) her signature for a while so without that, yes, she will look quite different. Last I heard she was dating an international multimillion-dollar DJ so she is going with a rougher sleeker look. Her makeup and style change with her boyfriends. > **[Taylor's Swift's Style Evolution Might Have Something to Do With Her Dating Life](https://www.popsugar.com/fashion/Taylor-Swift-Boyfriend-Style-37511805#photo-37511805)** > > When you're in a relationship with someone, it's only natural if his or her sense of style starts to rub off on you sooner or later. Got an SO with a sneaker ---
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-taylor-swift/720407/3 "2015-05-20T05:50:10Z")
Maybe that is what she looks like when they tell her to stop squinting. 😛 It does not look like Swift to me either. Not only are her eyes usually more narrow, but she also normally has a wrinkle/bag under them that is missing from that photo. If it is her, it is her with a good amount of makeup and a solid sprucing with photoshop. ---
**Author:** ![Jake\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Jake\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake_Jones)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-taylor-swift/720407/4 "2015-05-20T06:45:05Z")
> [@JKilez](#): > > If it is her, it is her with a good amount of makeup and a solid sprucing with photoshop. What?! It’s the exact opposite. She usually wears only slightly less makeup than a clown in public and this might be the first photo in which I’ve ever seen her ears or forehead, ever. I certainly don’t think she’s anywhere close to lacking makeup in that photo, but it’s very well done and she looks so much better without the massive amount she usually wears. I don’t know if [these are all from the same photo shoot](http://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2014/11/cover-story-taylor-swift/) (and I’m not going to read the article) but it looks like they are. She looks remarkably better with ears, a forehead and skin tone that resembles a living person. Beyond better, actually. She’s stunning in every photo in that link. I’m not a fan of country or pop music and can’t honestly say much about her work because I’m not familiar with it. I know she was signed at a ridiculously young age and she’s still very young, so it’s not surprising that she’s only just starting to get to a point where she’s taking control of her own public identity. Good for her. She looks fantastic. I hope she ditches the old look for good. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-taylor-swift/720407/5 "2015-05-20T06:57:52Z")
I had the same reaction when I saw the picture. She looks nothing like her usual self. It was a similar surprise the first time I saw [Zooey Deschanel](http://i2.cdnds.net/13/19/300x450/rexfeatures_2320892sk.jpg) without her usual bangs. ---
**Author:** ![Biffster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biffster/32/339_2.png) [@Biffster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffster)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-taylor-swift/720407/6 "2015-05-20T08:00:16Z")
She is very tall, and this photo appears to be looking down on her as well, so that can be deceiving. Very pretty girl. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-taylor-swift/720407/7 "2015-05-20T11:01:04Z")
Am I the only one who thinks most of these famous women look like a million times _better_ when not wearing makeup? I swear most of them are usually plastered with so much makeup that they look like plastic dolls. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-taylor-swift/720407/8 "2015-05-20T12:27:41Z")
> [@Jake\_Jones](#): > > I don’t know if [these are all from the same photo shoot](http://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2014/11/cover-story-taylor-swift/) (and I’m not going to read the article) but it looks like they are. She looks remarkably better with ears, a forehead and skin tone that resembles a living person. Beyond better, actually. She’s stunning in every photo in that link. I know very little about her and will never be a fan of her music but yeah, stick with this look and ditch the old one forever. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-taylor-swift/720407/9 "2015-05-20T12:29:26Z")
I think it’s mostly the lack of bangs and darker hair that makes her not instantly recognizable. But I do also think someone went a little overboard with the Photoshop and widened her eyes. Oops. The porcelain doll with red lips thing hasn’t been her look forever. Just recently. [Taylor Swift's Boyfriend Style | POPSUGAR Fashion](http://www.popsugar.com/fashion/Taylor-Swift-Boyfriend-Style-37511805?stream_view=1#photo-37511898) There is no less makeup in that Maxim picture than the red lipped look. If anything, there’s more contouring makeup around the cheekbones and nose. It’s just different (more naturalistic) colors. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-taylor-swift/720407/10 "2015-05-20T12:46:18Z")
> [@Biffster](#): > > She is very tall, and this photo appears to be looking down on her as well, so that can be deceiving. Very pretty girl. 5’9", if I recall correctly. I went to one of her shows in 2011 (don’t judge me) and during one song she walked down the aisle not more than a few feet away from me, and she couldn’t have been more than a few inches shorter than my 6’0" self. ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-taylor-swift/720407/11 "2015-05-20T13:03:09Z")
She always looks great. It all makes sense to me. A new look means you get a new Japanese body pillow means more money. Why else do you think Beibs is changing it up. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-taylor-swift/720407/12 "2015-05-20T13:52:58Z")
I think part of it is that you rarely see Taylor without a smile on her face. The cover shot has her mouth pointing DOWN and that changes all the features of her face! In [this article that **Jake** linked to](http://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2014/11/cover-story-taylor-swift/), the “real” Taylor pops out in the photo with the blue shirt and jacket, because she is smiling slightly. She pops out again in the last picture too, also with a bit of a smile. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-taylor-swift/720407/13 "2015-05-20T13:59:47Z")
Yeah, I think it’s mostly her big smile that is missing. She has squinty eyes when she is smiling that smile of hers. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-taylor-swift/720407/14 "2015-05-20T14:02:34Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > Am I the only one who thinks most of these famous women look like a million times _better_ when not wearing makeup? I swear most of them are usually plastered with so much makeup that they look like plastic dolls. Yes, you’re the only person. You’re very special. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-taylor-swift/720407/15 "2015-05-20T14:03:36Z")
I saw a [photo of her on magazine cover](http://i.imgur.com/k76YP1G.jpg) without her “standard” white/red makeup and was struck by the change and how good she looked. I won’t bother saying if she looks “better” one way or the other but it was definitely a change from how I’m used to seeing her. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-taylor-swift/720407/16 "2015-05-20T14:06:58Z")
As has been pointed out, a huge reason for her different look is maybe not a \*lack \*of makeup, just a different application. Her eyes look bigger without the liner and her lips look natural and actually larger without her “classic red lip” (note to TSwift; do not reference yourself and your look in a song; it is tacky). I think the biggest thing is her natural brows. The thin, drawn on approach creates a totally different look. Also, her nose is usually contoured quite a bit making it appear pointier. I always think she has a ferret like face but in these pictures she looks lovely. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-taylor-swift/720407/17 "2015-05-20T14:29:12Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > As has been pointed out, a huge reason for her different look is maybe not a \*lack \*of makeup, just a different application. Her eyes look bigger without the liner… I think maybe women are finally starting to figure out that tightlining totally makes your eyes look _smaller_. Not to mention increases styes and eye infections. It’s a dramatic look, for sure, but it just doesn’t work for many of us. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-taylor-swift/720407/18 "2015-05-20T14:39:19Z")
I think it’s a mistake and that isn’t her at all. I guess it is, but wow what a difference! ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-taylor-swift/720407/19 "2015-05-20T14:39:40Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > I think maybe women are finally starting to figure out that tightlining totally makes your eyes look _smaller_. Not to mention increases styes and eye infections. It’s a dramatic look, for sure, but it just doesn’t work for many of us. I think you’re right. I did the black eyeliner thing for a long time( not as dramatic as is TS)and it was only a couple of years ago that I realized I look so much better with less. Or maybe I’m just too old to pull it off anymore:( ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-taylor-swift/720407/20 "2015-05-20T15:48:26Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > The porcelain doll with red lips thing hasn’t been her look forever. Just recently. [Taylor Swift's Boyfriend Style | POPSUGAR Fashion](http://www.popsugar.com/fashion/Taylor-Swift-Boyfriend-Style-37511805?stream_view=1#photo-37511898) My memory is so short these days – the last way I saw her is the way she’s always been. 🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-taylor-swift/720407.md?page=2)