The Make-Up, Hair, and Fashion of the Back-Up Plan

Jennifer Lopez's film The Back-Up Plan opened in theaters the second to last weekend of April and had a relatively modest, and dangerously close to low, opening weekend gross of $12.25 million at the box office. The entire film was off, and a large part of this can be based around the overall make-up, hair, and clothing stylization of Jennifer Lopez's character, Zoe.

The Back-Up Plan - Jennifer Lopez's Wardrobe

Jennifer Lopez is a beautiful woman with a beyond famous figure, and this film did not play that up at all. Many times while watching Jennifer Lopez navigate through this film the clothing choices reminded me more of Jennifer Aniston. The main pants style pre-pregnancy was tailored jeans made to elongate the legs and increase the vertical appeal of the body instead of complementing the body that Jennifer Lopez has. It is a possibility that this was done on purpose to utilize Lopez's famed curves as a feature of pregnancy versus reality, but the overall look was a flop.

Her tops were also nowhere near as trendy or appropriate looking as they have been in former films. Even in Maid in Manhattan where Lopez portrayed a single mother working as a maid, her clothes were better. The overall look was scattered while trying to capture a light Boho yet expensive vibe. Mary-Kate Olsen meets a personal shopper. It didn't fit the character of Zoe, and it brought the movie down. Plain jeans and t-shirts would have flown better for a single woman pet shop owner than light designer.

For Your Own Style: To keep your own look from becoming a flop, avoid not entirely inhabiting a style unless you have a rare personality. If you want to go Bohemian, do so, but don't do it with expensive pieces layered like they would be on a mannequin in a fashion museum. It prostitutes the essence of the movements and becomes neither Boho or label, and you will end up looking confused. A flowing top over tailored jeans is okay, but beyond that keep it simple.

The Back-Up Plan - Jennifer Lopez's Make-Up

Jennifer Lopez was born to wear make-up. Her face is lovely without it, but it can hold make-up very easily. She is a canvas. The paint used to create the character of Zoe was bland. A real and natural look on film works when discussing serial killers, drug addicts, and older people. When you are doing a movie where 30 minutes focuses on a single woman in the city with a nice job that requires public interaction, a slightly friendlier and bright face would have been the way to go. Instead Zoe looks pregnant and washed out virtually from scene one in the movie.

For Your Own Style: While washed out skin is a reality for some women, it doesn't have to be. If you don't want to look tired and bewildered like Zoe, consider using a glowing facial wash and skin toner to keep even your natural face looking a bit brighter and more open. Bronzer is your friend.

The Back-Up Plan - Jennifer Lopez's Hair

Jennifer Lopez's haircut for Zoe was actually quite similar to a style she wore in the music video for "Ain't it Funny" featuring Ja Rule - a thick bang and long layers. However, in the video, it worked. Her hair was a perfect complement to her face and her make-up. If the make-up choices in The Back-Up Plan would have been better, her hair could have worked in this film as well, but it didn't until she was pregnant and her hair was tied up frequently and the original style was obscured.

For Your Own Style: To keep your hair from blending in with your face, ensure it complements your make-up or facial tone instead of merely blending in with it. If you wear a matte foundation, ensure your hair always has a lot of gloss and sheen. With a more natural face, have highlights added to your hair to give it a visual wow factor.

The Back-Up Plan could end up with box office sales that make it a passable investment for the studios, but the poor stylization of the wardrobe, hair, and make-up will be with us for eternity. Avoid making these mistakes in your own look by following the asides above!

Source:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/04/losers-bombs-back-up-plan-soft-kick-ass-doesnt-hold-up.html