Age 10 to 60–Transformed Through Makeup And Photography

Haven’t we all imagined how we might look like when we grow old? There are even a few online tools that will simulate how one might age 20 or 40 years from now. In November 2008, Vogue Paris published an interesting editorial featuring a series of photographs of the 20-years-old model Eniko Mihalik aged over the course of four decades through post-production and make-up artistry. It’s amazing how appearance can be manipulated by photographers and makeup professionals with simple tricks of the trade like hairdo, facial expression, make-up, photography angles, etc.

The images were produced by the highly-published photography duo, Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin.

Commentary accompanying each photo is translation of French text from the magazine. Courtesy Gems Sty.

At 10, a certain wide-eyed innocence with a strong suggestion on bare-chestedness, half-exposed teeth (make them seem smaller and less full-grown), very light make-up, looking almost fresh out of a swimming pool or something.

At 20, a rather typical high-school/college girl first getting acquainted with mascara and lip-gloss; expressions of youth with straight hair, painted finger nails and fun accessories (ring); there is a sense of eagerness and anticipation in the expression.

At 30, she looks like she’s been through some really bad relationships, on the roads, and maybe have her life mortgated to drugs and alcohol, doused generally with a sense of cynicism towards the world.

At 40, life reins in as she matures and develops into a more assured woman; the wild sides has not been eliminated totally but tamed to a more nuanced portrayal;

At 50, back to a very classic and enduring look showing a sense of refined sophistication after living through the many decades; tastes have been distilled and generally looks more classy.

Finally at 60, the beauty grows inwards as the outer appearance are toned down in favor of more subtle expression (cropped hairdo, plain top), with a sense that the inner wisdom is now far more distinguishing than the outer appearance.

Photos credit Eniko Mihalik