Beauty predictions for 2007

I’ve been tagged by my friend Allen over at Center Networks to share in the “Predictions for 2007.” For my predictions list, I will focus on beauty. 

Dove will have company
Another large corporation who’s in the business of beauty like Dove will come out with an equally large and impressive campaign to promote real beauty. Dove has been doing their “Campaign for Real Beauty” for a couple years now, and it has done nothing but enrich the Dove brand and make millions of women feel better about themselves. Other companies see Dove’s success and they will follow suit. 

Authentic is the new pretty
I may actually be a couple years ahead on this, but I believe that our society will get to a point where we’ve have gotten so incredibly over saturated and done with fake body parts, fake beauty, fake identities, fake personalities, and fake everything that the new beautiful will be someone who is completely natural, raw, and genuine.  

All the fashion capitals in the world will sign similar Code of Conduct as Italy
Italy became the first major fashion capital to sign a “Code of Conduct” to regulate itself before someone forces them to do it regarding health and age standards for models used in fashion shows. Without blame or pointing fingers, the Italian fashion honchos have acknowledged their contribution to the distorted views of beauty which contribute to eating disorders and unhealthy living, and are taking an action of responsibility. They are setting a wonderful example, and the other fashion capitals will quickly follow suit. 

The next Oprah and Martha Stewart will start in her kitchen or living room
Because of new technologies in the web, and the dropping costs in hardware and software, the ability to have your own show is cheap (practically free) and easy. All you need is a computer and Internet connection. You don’t need to wait for some talent agent to “discover” you. You can start putting videos, podcasts, and blogs out into the internet, gather an audience, and build a media empire all on your own. If you think you have much to offer like Rachel Ray or Martha, or have sound advice like Oprah, then get a video camera and start recording your “shows” and upload them to YouTube or any other free video sharing site. Start a blog of your interviews, tips, and ideas. Create podcasts so that people can listen to you on their iPods and mp3 players while working out at the gym. You have an incredible amount of power at your fingertips. All it will take is passion, discipline, and action. 

Women’s magazines will start using customer generated pictures
Because of social media, more consumer brand companies will be using customer generated pictures for their products like Jones Soda. All the labels on the Jones Soda bottles were created by their customers who submitted the photo, and then got “chosen” by the public. In an effort to increase subscriptions and cut costs, I see the traditional paper magazine’s starting to use creative created by their readers. For one, fashionista photographers are really pricey, and two the more you get readers involved in creating the magazine, the more likely they are to buy the final product. 

In the major TV shows, you will see more characters like Betty and Dr. Torres
Ugly Betty and Dr. Callie Torres on Grey’s Anatomy look like real women. You know people just like them in your everyday life. They are not fantasy characters. They are real people like you and I who have the same pains, issues, and struggles. We root for these ladies because they are just like us, and we want to see more of how they deal with the everyday pains of living in a pretty-obsessed society. More viewers means more air time.

In general, I think 2007 will be an even bigger year for real beauty and healthier standards of living. I find that very exciting! What do you predict we'll see in beauty trends?

Now I shall tag:
AliThinks
Katiebird
Lady de la Luna
Manola Blablablanik
MamaVISION
Maria Palma