Yep, that’s actually me in these photographs beneath a veil of big hair and layers of layers of make-up...welcome to the world of Cambodian Glamour Shots! Seeing these photo shops all around town and knowing how popular these kind of photos are with the locals, a few of us girls figured we’d reach back to our inner child and play dress up for the day! We all had quite the transformation or tranamation as we liked to call it :)
On a Saturday morning, five of us girls (Samira in yellow, Skye in red, Nono in blue and Lisa in light pink) piled in a tuk-tuk and headed to the photo studio. The pictures really speak for themselves but basically step one involves the slathering of your skin in cheap make up, with the goal to make you look as white as possible. The second step includes creating a ridiculous hairstyle which involves the liberal use of hairspray and excessive use of a teasing comb. The only real question was just how high they could go...check out Samira’s hair for an idea of just how high they like to go in Cambodia! Step three involves squeezing big foreigners into very small traditional Khmer party dresses and then loading us with lots of costume jewelry.
After about 2 hours of make-up and hair and finding the perfect dress, it was up to the ‘studio’ where they carefully positioned us in all kinds of ‘natural’ poses (apparently the head angles, serious expressions and hand positions are quite important)...Let’s just say the serious poses were almost impossible with the five of us unable to stop laughing pretty much all day. One of the highlights of the experience actually happened about a week after our photo session wrapped - when we received the 'finished' product with us photo-shopped into all kinds of ridiculous backdrops...absolutely hilarious!
Immediately afterwards you get the joy of trying to 'undo' all this hard work which was no easy feat. I think we all washed our faces about five times before starting to resemble our true selves again.
Although we felt a bit silly playing dress up all day, it was actually quite fun and will be a great souvenir to remember Cambodia by!
You gals all look amazing! What fun to play dress up and those are such cool pictures. Glad you are enjoying your time in Cambodia! =)
ReplyDeleteI am sitting at my desk, with my face streamed with tears! Hahahahaha! WOW! That might be the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen! Those pictures are incredible! My favorite is probably you in the "rain". If I could do there here in the US, I so would...incredible! Okay we're skyping this week...you pick the night!
ReplyDeleteOH my WORD- those are the most awesome pictures I have ever seen! Where do I even start? The sassy faces, you in the rain, whispering hush...I love them all!! What fun!
ReplyDeleteHaha, amazing. Your hair in those pictures totally reminds of all the 80's glamour shots you took for volleyball and basketball that are STILL hanging on the walls at home.
ReplyDeleteI know we still need to trip plan for mom and I's visit, but now we have one activity for sure :) Can you see it...."Scott family under the raindrop"
Those pictures are so much fun. Glad you are having fun! I love the rain that doesn't get you wet. Can we have some of that kind of rain for a change in Washington?
ReplyDeleteseriously. awesome.
ReplyDeleteOh my are those priceless! I love reading your crazy stories-keep them coming!
ReplyDeleteWhat an AMAZINGingly hilarious experience! I absolutely love that you did this and second Michelle's comment, why don't we have this in the US?! Seriously though, you look beautiful:)
ReplyDeleteWOW! this might be the most amazing thing i've ever seen!
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