New hair, makeup for Swift

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© Copyright 2002 The New York Times Company

Boston Globe - Oct 04, 2001

…"She realizes she's got to become more of a politician," says Samantha [von Sperling], a Boston image consultant who cheers the new image - or the attempt, at least - as a chance for Swift to look more stateswoman, less frazzled mom.

"It shouldn't matter," [von Sperling] says. "It should be about her brains more than anything else. But the fact is that she's a woman. And the world, and especially the media, is brutal to women. You'd better be perfectly polished all the time."…

…[Samantha von Sperling], though, was more impressed. "It's just a better style for her. It's a little more feminine, yet it's more groomed, it's more polished ... She's looking a little slicker, which she needs to, because she was looking a little frumpy."

True, [Samantha von Sperling] had a litany of other critiques, as she picked apart the photo in the morning papers: earrings too small for the face, a necklace that cut awkwardly into Swift's neckline, a makeup job that needed "contour."

"It looks like she could have gotten the suit at Filene's,' [Samantha von Sperling] says, "and it should look like she went to Nieman Marcus."

There's a lot to worry about, which is where [Samantha von Sperling]'s big advice comes in: On the night when you know the whole world will be watching, hire a professional to do your hair, apply your makeup, coach your diction. Alter your image. And have no shame about it.

In fact, [Samantha von Sperling] says, that poufy hair might be an excellent start.

"I take my hat off to her for having the courage to realize it," Samantha von Sperling says. "That's sort of the first step, being able to swallow your pride and say, 'Hey, maybe 1 could use some help.'"

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