HD is changing the face of beauty — on and off TV
High-definition television is supposed to bring crisp, clear, realistic images into your living room. For TV stars, that potentially means an up-close — and unwelcome? — view of any imperfections they might have.
Professional makeup artists have been scrambling to adapt, especially with the formal, government- mandated switch yesterday from analog television to digital.
"I've been in television almost 15 years, and HD has become a makeup artist's nightmare," says Unique London, star of BET network's reality segments "Hair & Makeup." "There was a time when the light was forgiving. Once you go digital and high-def, it's great for football games and National Geographic, but not for faces. You can see flaws you didn't even know you had." Even though it's not their mug on the screen, makeup artists know they'll be judged based on how their clients look, so they've made friends with lighting directors, told stars to stay out of the sun and get their rest, and they're experimenting with new cosmetic products intended for HDTV.
