Oprah's Makeup Artist: Before & After
By Keith Boykin, in pop culture
Wednesday, March 22 2006, 1:47AM
What do you get when you combine a well-known black gay makeup artist with a well-known black billionaire and a new anti-aging skin care system? Tuesday's Oprah Winfrey Show. Yesterday on Oprah, we got to see the transformation of Oprah's makeup artist, Reggie Wells, after he went through a new skin care treatment called Restylane, which is designed to removed unwanted lines and wrinkles from the face.
During the show, Oprah revealed that Wells, an Emmy nominated professional, had once considered a full face lift. Instead, he tried the new treatment, which involved injections in his face to help smooth the skin and remove the bags under his eyes. Now he recommends the treatment to his celebrity clients, in addition to using it himself. When asked by Oprah during the show if he was happy with the results, Wells replied that he was "happy as a lark."
Call me old fashioned, but I'm still a little uncomfortable with plastic surgery. I don't like any type of surgery, so that's the first strike. Just last month, Star Jones reportedly cheated death when she went in for a breast lift. I also tend to think that natural beauty is more appealing that reconstructed beauty, so that's strike two.
I don't know that I would ever go under the knife or a needle unless something dramatic had happened to me. But having said that, I also realize that you have to look your best in the entertainment business. When you see yourself on TV a lot, you notice every flaw. I've noticed that just in the past few weeks of watching myself on "My Two Cents" and "The Montel Williams Show." It's not as easy to overlook your flaws when you know that millions of people are watching you. So with all the pressure to take this or use that product, public figures are constantly looking for new solutions.
Some people clearly abuse plastic surgery. Joan Rivers obviously comes to mind. Others mistakenly assume that a tummy tuck or a face lift or a breast implant will make them happy without understanding the real source of their unhappiness. I once saw a beautiful man on the MTV show "True Life" who wanted calf implants to make his lower legs bigger. I didn't see the point, but for him he thought it was just the right touch.
Like everything in life, it's all about moderation and soul searching. I know a few people who have had plastic surgery, and in each case it seemed to help their self image and their careers. So who am I to judge? I could preach until I'm blue in the face about why they should love themselves for who they are, but that would assume they don't already. Plastic surgery, on the other hand, gives them an option. It may not be right for me, but it's not my choice to make for anyone else.
Comments conceal
shabaka
March 22 2006, 4:08AM
Hello Keith,
I've always admired your ability to talk about just about anything...I find it to be a powerful tool to be able to have an opinion on anything that goes on in the World...Especially in the entertainment world...
Keep up the good work!
savvy101
March 22 2006, 8:42AM
Reggie Wells is no artist. I've seen Oprah without make-up. Reggie Wells is a magician.
Gizmo
March 22 2006, 9:25AM
I hear the ball children clamoring about this already.The gurlz cake back in the restroom. Its no shade.
Mikey--He Likes It
March 22 2006, 9:45AM
Seems as though Hill Harper received a few treatments from Mr Reggie Wells cause that face is done to perfection on his book cover.
ALLEGRO
March 22 2006, 10:27AM
UMMMM......just an FYI.....this was an old episode from last season...lol.
Coulnd't you tell by the old set....and OPRAH hadn't put on the weight yet?
Phd2b11
March 22 2006, 10:47AM
I don't know anyone who's had plastic surgery, but I hear lots of people talking about it. Well, I take that back, a lady in my office has surgery every year to tighten her face. She's in her mid to late 50's so that may be why. It seems to make her feel better about herself, but she never seems to be "down." Maybe she just enjoys it...or it helps her to look in the mirror. Whatever the case, I have thought about it myself, but the long-term effects of what "could be" scare me the most. I find it more fulfilling when I can lose weight or take away other effects of aging naturally. Not only is it healthier, but you pay a lot less money! LOL. But, different strokes for different folks....! All I can say is be careful and be sure you get what you paid for!!!
savvy101
March 22 2006, 11:19AM
Correction, Reggie Wells is no artist. I've seen Oprah without make-up. That brother is a magician.
d
March 22 2006, 12:36PM
Also remember, the First Lady of Nigeria died last year due to complications from a tummy-tuck/liposuction procedure.
I am not sure the surgery is worth the risk.
naturalblkluv
March 22 2006, 1:40PM
Oh lord, another middle aged queens on the TV who isn't proud to be "her" age. Why must the same gender community be so age obsessed? Growing up I never heard of a man getting a face lift, and now that I look at my peers, none of my str8 male friends never mention it, but most of my same gender loving peeps would all get one by 30 if they could. I don't under stand why being shallow is so attractive. I can tell from that horrible first picture, that it looks like he had a ruff might. But then again abusing your body has a lot to do with your looks when you past 35.
Richard Moten
March 22 2006, 2:08PM
Reggie is a friend he is funny kind generous and considerate.He loves what he does and is very talented.The article said skin treatment not plastic surgery.He is a proud gay man who does not base his oponions of what his str8 friends do or do not say.He is living his dream in the moment with passion....How many of us can say that.
Derrick from Philly
March 22 2006, 3:21PM
We ARE proud of our age! We just wanna' look good at our age. Who wants to go 'round lookin' like some regula' hard-ass DL nigguh? Even after all the booze, I've got fabulous skin--I'm just waitin' for them to find a way to put some hair back on my head. And when they do, I'll be back out on Broad Street again .....toot toot, heeey, beep beep
toot toot, heeey, beep beep
Hey, Mister, have you gotta'...aw, you could at least stop yo' car and take a look...I ain't that old, you punk-ass motha'...
cmoney
March 22 2006, 4:28PM
LOL! Derrick from philly! I hear you! Ain't nuthin' wrong with a man who wants to look good and take care of his appearance. Remember, an ugly girl is a lazy girl.
Aging Gracefully
March 22 2006, 5:17PM
Real beauty represents health. All the skin treatments and surgeries in the world aren't going to make up for getting rest, eating right, reducing stress, and staying fit. I quit smoking and it took 10 years off of my face.
I signfriciantly reduced red meat in my diet...that was another 5 years. I drink plenty of water too. That has done wonders for my hair, skin, and nails.
By the way, am I the only one that notices how O has no real use for a gay man unless he's doing make-up or decorating?
Derrick from Philly
March 22 2006, 5:44PM
"I've significantly reduced red meat in my diet..."
Yeah, well, I've significantly reduced REAL meat in my diet. I ain't had a man since April 2005, and it aint improve a damn thing on me.
Look, if you've got the money, and reputable cosmetic surgeons--go for it!
roxx
March 22 2006, 6:30PM
Well my opinion use to be the same as Keith's but since I have gotten older I realize that we all do a wide variety of things to alter our bodies. It is acceptable because the majority of people do it. For example getting veneers, brytesmile, evening our skin tone with different products, straightening our hair, cutting off all of our body hair, adding false nails, arching eyebrows, using products to holt age progression like retin-a, ect. Most people may say "oh well, that is just everyday maintenance but it is not the natural course of our bodies. I however do those things and more because it makes me feel good. I have recently just dropped off a lot of weight the old fashioned way and have a few more to lose but I have surprised myself in deciding to get a tummy tuck to complete my goal when I reach it. Before I did not even love myself to even care about the extra pounds (about 45 of them)nor how I looked physically but when I started cleaning up my inside, the outside became important to me also. Is that so bad?
nycbro
March 22 2006, 9:21PM
VANITY is really something. Nips and tucks can improve the looks of the face and body, but does nothing to improve one's soul and heart.
What's more important? Serving face or serving heart?
blacklatina
March 23 2006, 12:25AM
I've always been impressed by this man so I say GO FOR IT!!!! He looks really good in my opinion.
jazzi
March 23 2006, 9:00AM
I ain't gon lie, I wanna look as good & as young as possible for as long as possible. Fact is the longer you live the more the years will show. We're all getting older, not younger. To each his or her own but I think it's pathetic how some people are willing to butcher themselves to look like something they're not. People don't realize that the affects of a face lift don't last forever. When you start sagging & bagging again, then what? Get more "work done"? When does it stop?
Keith mentioned Joan Rivers. True, chick looks nothing like what she used to. Looks like if she smiled too hard her cheeks would split open. Her face is tight! Have you ever heard of Jocelyn Wilderstein? She makes Joan look normal & that is no easy task! This chick was.....pretty. Blond hair, blue eyes, thin, everything that most people associate with beauty. Then something happened. I don't know what happened but something happened & it's not pretty. This woman has had so many surgeries it don't make sense. She's a monstrousity. HIDEOUS!!! Go meet her at awfulplasticsurgery.com. I recommend that you not eat for at least two hours before & after your visit!
Breathless Mahoney
March 23 2006, 1:55PM
Keith,
You're not for plastic surgery because you have no stageringly apparent genetic flaws. I think it is extremely insensitive and incompassionate to be judgemental toward those who opt for surgeries. And it always seems to be those who have hit the "genetic lottery" that have something to say. People try to be a little more empathetic, your time will come also.
Josh
March 25 2006, 9:47PM
That dude is mad greasy in the first picture. It looks like they degreased him and put pancake makeup on him. It is a definite improvement from the first picture though, and it is nice to know that you can improve your looks without harmful surgery.
Bruce Culp
March 29 2006, 8:49PM
Dear Pride Police:
I think the gay community needs to examine themselves a little more over the next coming years.
First of all, although you all believe to be so, not everyone is gay or lesbian. In fact, only a little over four per cent of the population is. Still, as someone who respects minority opinions, I agree that everyone has the right to free speech.
But not the right to lie. Nor lie to extort someone whom may be a public figure or not.
Janet and I disagree over the issue of gay marriage. Since I am a libertarian and believe in natural rights that are protected by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights (or in Canada -- Charter Rights), I think couples who enjoy a committed relationship should have the sanctity of their union protected by judicial fiat.
Janet, however, is more socially conservative than me. As a result, she agrees that men should not lie down together, as it says in the Bible and other religious books.
I look forward to debating anyone on this blog. So does Janet.
Bruce Culp
jameela
March 31 2006, 7:11AM
dear friends, this is a completely different opinion and that is i did not like the transformed reggie wells, he looks like some airbrushed photograph in his new self and looks so much like his own creative and gifted self in the old way - i really think we should be proud of wrinkles that age give, it is society that must change to see it, not the face to suit the fashion industries whims and silly fancies