So today I had my first-ever facial — not really a news-worthy event, but it was fun. It made me wonder what it would be like to have unlimited funds for that sort of thing, to have access to regular beauty treatments that could transform me into someone glamorous — you know, a personal trainer, expert skin, makeup, and hair people, a masseuse….
And that made me think about Cinderella. Everyone loves a Cinderella story. The downtrodden, unappreciated, impoverished woman gets a total makeover — dress, hair, wheels — bringing out her potential beauty, and enabling her to snag the Prince Charming and happily-ever-after she deserves. This story endures in romance novels, of course, but also appears in other variations — movies, magazine Before and After articles, weight-loss commercials, even television makeover reality shows. We just love to see people become externally beautiful. The change from ho-hum ordinary to spectacular intrigues us. It gives us hope, makes us think that we, too, can be beautiful (if only we had that fairy godmother!). And it is especially satisfying if we know the person is worthy inside.
So here is my question: what transformation stories have you read or movies have you seen that you really enjoyed? One of my favorites stories is Bet Me, by Jennifer Crusie. I also like the movie Miss Congeniality with Sandra Bullock. And if you could afford any beauty treatments, which ones would you have? And just to make the discussion fun, I’ll pick a random winner at the end of the day to get a copy of one of my books.
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I would love it if there were some magic treatment to whisk away fat - like cellulite or tummy fat - just maybe a cream you rub on and walla 10 mins later it was gone.
You didnt say it had to be a real treatment. LOL. I can dream, cant I!
But seriously maybe a facial and massage.
by Pat L.
on June 29th, 2007 at 7:51 am
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A fat-erasing cream would be extremely popular, Pat. 
I think everyone would use it. Be sure to let me know if you discover it!!! And a massage….that would be heavenly!
by Gail Barrett
on June 29th, 2007 at 7:56 am
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I enjoyed the books by Donna Kauffman that had “godmothers” that helped women with their appearance and self esteem.
Definitely a fat erasing cream…also something that helped to erase skin blemishes while leaving skin soft and moisturized 
by Kathleen
on June 29th, 2007 at 8:23 am
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I’ve never had a pedicure and would love to try it but more than anything else I would love to have someone to massage my feet when they wake me up in the middle of the night aching so bad I can hardly stand it (nerve damage - one of the side effects of diabetes 2.)
by Karen B
on June 29th, 2007 at 8:27 am
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Oh, yeah. I’ve never had a foot massage or pedicure, either. A foot massage sounds HEAVENLY, even without a medical condition!!!!
Kathleen - I haven’t read Donn Kauffman’s books. I will definitely looke them up.
by Gail Barrett
on June 29th, 2007 at 8:31 am
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the movie Miss Congeniality with Sandra Bullock rocks; any movie with Sandra does.
I do have massages for muscle tension and headaches which are nice. I would love to have skin rejuvenation on my face but am too scared.
by RobynL
on June 29th, 2007 at 8:58 am
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Robyn, I hear you. I have a book my mother gave me (garage sale item) about plastic surgery with lots of before and after photos. It’s really interesting. I have a lot of sun damage on my skin and would like to do the rejuvenation, too, but it does sound scary. Well, since I don’t have the budget for it, I don’t have to anguish over that decision regardless. But it is so interesting what they can do these days! I would like to win a free makeover….
And I think the appeal of Miss Congeniality is precisely the Cinderella element. The Princess Diaries is the same — gawky kid turns into a princess. I loved them both.
by Gail Barrett
on June 29th, 2007 at 9:05 am
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My little 5 year old granddaughter and I love to watch THE PRINCESS DIARIES.
And, I can’t really afford beauty treatments, but I still indulge myself with them.
I’ve submitted my receipts to our flex reimbursement plan at my husbands work and so far they’ve accepted everything for my: massages, facials/microdermabrasion, botox and restylane. And for my birthday, Christmas, anniversary, Mother’s Day etc. my husband always gives me gift certificates for pedicures (which I happily have done every 3 weeks.)
As previously mentioned I too would be the first in line for something to take away fat.
by Christy H.
on June 29th, 2007 at 9:38 am
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Wow! I’m impressed, Christy. I wish I could sign up for that plan!!!! Which facial procedure — facials or microdermabrasion do you think has given you the best results?
by Gail Barrett
on June 29th, 2007 at 9:42 am
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I actually get both at the same time.
I get the microderm done first. Now that I’m getting older and small wrinkles are starting to appear, I like the results I get from this procedure. It not only removes the dead outer layer of skin but it helps age spots, crows feet and old damage or scarring.
I love the facials - they are so relaxing and my skin feels toned, soft and almost glows afterwards.
I would hate to have to choose, but, if I could only choose one I would go with the microderm.
by Christy H.
on June 29th, 2007 at 11:00 am
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Is the microderm like sand blasting your skin? What’s the difference between that and a peel they do during a facial? I can’t keep up with all these procedures!!!!
by Gail Barrett
on June 29th, 2007 at 11:28 am
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Gail the microderm is like a fine sandblasting and polishing.
I’ve never had a peel done during my facial. When I have a facial it includes cleaning and then steaming to open skin follicles, a facail massage, a treatment mask and then a protective lotion that is applied to the entire facial area.
My aestetician also does my neck and delecollete area. While I’m having my treatments done she massages my head and applies a cream to my hands and feet and massages both.
by Christy H.
on June 29th, 2007 at 11:42 am
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Hi Gail!
I like MISS CONGENIALITY and THE PRINCESS DIARIES as well. Another one I loved was PRETTY WOMAN. I mean yes, she was gorgeous to begin with, but she still went through a transformation inside and out.
For books, I loved SLEEPING WITH BEAUTY by Donna Kauffman and THE CINDERELLA PACT By Sarah Strohmeyer. There are more I’m sure, but those come to mind right off hand.
I’m pretty simple, I like manicures and pedicures. However, if Pat finds that fat eraser, I’m in! 
by Zara
on June 29th, 2007 at 11:47 am
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I loved Bet Me! Simply Irresistible by Rachel Gibson is also very good and Donna’s books rock.
I’m very low maintenance but I must say a facial sounds wonderful.
by Susan
on June 29th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
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I loved ‘Miss Congeniality’. I not only watched it at the movies, but thought it was so cute watched it again when it came to television. Sandra Bullock is such a good actress and have enjoyed other movies with her as well.
Any and all beauty treatments sound fabulous, relaxing and helpful to me as I grow older and older…no make that more mature…sounds so much better. I have had a few facials in the past, but that is about the extent of my delving into the wonderful world of looking healthy and younger.
by Shari C
on June 29th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
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I’m busy writing down which books to buy next. Keep the suggestions coming! And it occurs to me that one of the things we enjoy most about the Cinderella plots is seeing how others react to the transformed woman. It’s that moment of awe when the true beauty is revealed and everyone (especially the hero!) marvels at it. Wouldn’t we all like to have that moment of glory?
by Gail Barrett
on June 29th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
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“Bet Me” is my absolute all time favorite Crusie book!
Well, I had my first ever manicure/pedicure as a Mother’s Day present. Now, I am addicted!! To the pedi’s anyway. I don’t have much in the way of fingernails, so I can live without the manicure.
I am an “Extreme Makeover” junkie. Love that show. New episodes are coming up and I can’t wait to watch. 
by Angie T
on June 29th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
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Pat L - you’re my winner this time with your magic fat-erasing cream. The only stipulation is that if you ever find it, you have to PROMISE to send me some! Anyhow, email me your address and I’ll send you a book (gail@gailbarrett.com).
THANKS EVERYONE. I now have several new books to buy and beauty treatments to dream about. 
by Gail Barrett
on June 30th, 2007 at 5:25 am
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Sure if I discover it, will send you some. LOL. I will be filthy rich, right?
Anyway, thanks for the book. Am very happy to have won. Am sending my contact info.
Have a wonderful 4th everyone.
by Pat L.
on June 30th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
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Hi, book arrived today. Am sure I will enjoy it. Thank you.
by Pat L
on July 5th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
