Community Chat

[Q4u]

If TPTB are going to show before and after pictures and want the after picture to always look thinner and better than the before picture, make sure that when the photos are taken that the optics in the background (window panes, accessories, etc.) behind both photos are the same size!  Seriously, when looking at swimsuits or body shapers the background in the after photos are always smaller in proportion in comparison to the before pictures (and never the other way around).

Also, the item being compared does not affect the neck, width of the face, top of the upper arms, shoulders, etc... which all are larger (in comparison) in the before pictures. Both photo backgrounds as well as parts of the body that are not affected by the garment should remain the same in both photos  but always look smaller in the after photo...!

It's probably my number one gripe.  If I can see what they're doing, I'm sure others can.

[missy1]

Same with hair products. Before picture looks like the model rolled out of bed. The after picture the model has her hair washed and professionally styled (not air dried). 

Sometimes I think food vendors show a better product on air, then when you get it delivered to your home. Bigger portions, etc. The chicken guy adds stuff to the breaded chicken to make it look more appealling. 

[millieshops]

No matter what they do, for anything fitted, I'm always going to buy locally until I can't

I use the models to get an idea what I might try on as opposed to what I might buy.  No matter the gimmicks, I know I'd try on the type of swimsuit with the shorts, but I wouldn't give a second look to the one they followed it with -  the one with the sexy rim of bikini showing. Doesn't matter which I like; it matters what my body tells me. 

By the way -  switching from skimpy color block to fluffy printed makes a much greater difference than any background ever could  -   and I assume that's their point.   Still doesn't make me want to shop for a swimsuit online -  not here, not anywhere.

[StillFuntoShop]

Most of the before and afters insult your intelligence. 

The Breezies and hair ones are the worst for me. 

[DJs mom]

The before & afters for hair products are a joke. Why not show a professional styled before pic w/o the product being sold and a professional styled after pic with the product? Showing someone whose hair looks like she just rolled out of bed as a before and then her styled by a professional as an after doesn't convince me to buy.

[Tinkrbl44]

In all cases, they want to show a dramatic difference .... and sometimes what you see is too good to be true.  

However, there can still be an "improvement".   Honestly, I don't pay much attention to before and afters.

[ChynnaBlue]

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@missy1 wrote:

Same with hair products. Before picture looks like the model rolled out of bed. The after picture the model has her hair washed and professionally styled (not air dried). 

Sometimes I think food vendors show a better product on air, then when you get it delivered to your home. Bigger portions, etc. The chicken guy adds stuff to the breaded chicken to make it look more appealling. 

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Yes. I totally ignore all hair Before/After pictures because I don't care what the product is, the AFTER is almost always about having a professional stylist and not the shampoo/conditioner/cleanser used.

I use WEN products, but I know I will never have hair like a typical WEN model because I am never, EVER going to spend time blowing my hair out. I'm good with that.

[LilacTree]

I've never noticed the backgrounds, but I always think the "before" looks better than the "after."  

[tends2dogs]

One of the things that has always bothered me in before and after are the products for skin care.  They alway seem to have the model with a slight smile in the before.  Of course, this is going to cause the crowsfeet and mouth lines to look more prominent.  Then the after picture has the model with a completely serious, straight faced look which tends to smooth out the lines. 

Bugs me........LOL.

[YorkieonmyPillow]

With make-up demos, the light is always different colors.

Usually the "before" photo is lit with yellow lighting - I assume it makes the skin look sallow.

The "after" photo is with the yellow removed, a more bluish color.

Plus a lot of times in the "after" photo, they add eyeliner and blush where in the "before" they had no make-up at all.....