Jennifer Aniston Watch

Ok, so the Chicago sky is trending a bit more towards the gray end of things as I write this - however, that does not mean that tabloid publications have suddenly decided that plausibility is important in deciding what to write. The latest? OK! has “reported” that Jen has undergone an “extreme summer makeover,” citing plastic surgeons’ opinions on recent perceived changes in Jen’s appearance. Of course, these speculations are accompanied by the requisite disclaimer that Jen has never actually been within a 100-mile radius of any of these individuals.

So let’s look at this factually - Jen looks great in recent pictures, but is that necessarily new? Jen has long been noted as looking significantly younger than her age, and with her healthy habits, that is not surprising. However, the latest pictures from the Marley & Me set seem to have given the folks at OK! material for some very tenuous speculation. She does, in fact, look slightly different than she has in the past, and in certain circles that means that she must have achieved this appearance surgically.

Frankly, I think that their entire case is mitigated by the fact that the pictures were taken on the set. Here’s the crazy thing about film actors - they do, on occasion, change their appearance for their roles, and it appears that Jen has done just that. Not only is she sporting some (most likely faux) bangs as part of her “Jenny” look, but it appears that makeup artist Angela Levin has used different makeup effects than usual in making Jen look more like Jenny. Check out John Grogan’s Marley scrapbook for pictures of Jenny in her “Marley days” to compare. While Jen has been photographed sunbathing on several occasions, perhaps the clearest pictures that have been taken of her off the set in recent weeks were taken at the fundraiser for EBMRF. It is clear that in those pictures, she looks far more like her usual self.

As for that nose surgery last year that they suggest served a more vanity-oriented purpose? Having undergone a medically necessary septoplasty myself, I’d say that what little the public actually knows about Jen’s procedure is consistent with my own experience. My opinion may be somewhat partial, but it is also thoroughly informed - Jen was telling the truth here.

Sounds to me like somebody just needs something to write about - I know that Britney actually seems to be behaving herself lately, but don’t take it out on Jen!

With Jen’s classy style and glowing good looks, everybody wants a bit of the magic. Many companies have attempted to cash in on women’s desire to capture the “Jen look”; however, if she actually used every treatment that has been said to be one of her favorites, she really wouldn’t have time for much else! It can then be concluded that only Jen can speak for her approach to beauty, and she has done exactly that in various interviews over the years. With her easy appeal, it is no surprise that her actual approach to beauty is very simple.

Jen’s smooth skin and warm complexion are among her most enviable assets; she looks the part of the quintessential California girl, and looks considerably younger than her 39 years. In 2006, Jen revealed to Harper’s Bazaar that her favorite products to maintain that glow are, in fact, old standbys:

As for skin care, Jennifer relies on old faithful fare, used since childhood: Neutrogena bar soap and Dr. Hauschka. “I’m addicted especially to the holistic face creams, powder, and masks,” she says.

She also revealed to the magazine that she now avoids using hair extensions whenever possible, because she has, in the past, found them to be damaging.

Speaking of Jen’s famous locks, many fans remember a brief moment of dis-tress a while back. While there were those who adored the short cut that she sported in late 2000, Jen quickly came to the conclusion that she just wanted her long hair back. So she took an inside-out approach, as she told Vanity Fair in 2001:

“I’m taking every horse vitamin there is to make it grow faster - blue-green algae, you name it.”

Did it work? Her now-flowing tresses speak for themselves. She relies on her good friend Chris to keep them polished and to keep up with the demands of her various roles - in an interview with fashion website Warden Style in 2004, she spoke of him very highly:

WSO: Alright. “The best styling advice I`ve ever got …”
Jennifer: Those are questions! I guess I have to go for my hair. I`ve been seeing the same hairdresser for quite some time now and I trust him with whatever he wants to do to me. (smiles)

Another person whom Jen turns to regularly is yogi Mandy Ingber. Jen began studying yoga with Mandy in 2005, and reaped benefits that were not only physical, but emotional and spiritual. Jen maintains her strong, healthy figure with a combination of yoga and regular cardiovascular exercise. In 2006, Jen and Mandy appeared together in Self magazine and revealed the secrets of Jen’s “mind-body makeover”; check out Jen’s workout and favorite yoga tunes here. It is clear that what makes Jen glow the brightest comes from within.

Now you see ‘em . . .

now you don’t!

Are those bangs just a bit of movie magic? New Marley & Me set pictures show Jen sporting bangs . . . sometimes. Other pictures, presumably taken upon her arrival onset and prior to hair and makeup, show her without the fringe. It seems that some sort of styling trickery is involved, but as the old Clairol ads used to say, only her hairdresser knows for sure!

Anyway, PopSugar has other pics from the set, including an adorable one of Jen getting affectionate with her own furry friend Norman! Wonder if this project will afford Norman the opportunity to get back to his acting roots with a cameo, alongside Dolly, Jen’s other dog - either way, it does seem like fate that someone like Jen, with her real-life love for dogs, is involved in Marley’s tale.

With the many movies that Jen currently has in production or already in the can, Jen fans can look forward to her making plenty of public appearances later in the year. He’s Just Not That Into You, Management, and Marley & Me are all set to come out this year, with Traveling set for its release early next year, and with that, we can be certain that Jen will be a very busy woman, and that she will look fabulous all the while.

I for one am very interested to see what statements she makes on the red carpet this year. As seen above, she is very fond of the classic little black dress, but there are only so many LBD’s a woman can wear! In the past, she’s branched out by wearing various light neutrals, and even the occasional showstopping red dress. One of my personal favorite looks for Jen is a more ethereal look, like she opted for at the 2004 Emmys. In coming months, there just may be a suitable opportunity for her to make yet another stunning statement like that.

More casual appearances, such as press conferences, call for polish, and in her casual style Jen certainly delivers that, as she has always favored sophisticated basics in her everyday wardrobe. She is also very consistent in her approach to red carpet beauty, and upcoming appearances will likely prove no exception. Whether straight or wavy, she usually wears her hair down for public appearances, although the few updos she’s tried have been lovely as well. And she always opts for a minimal, classy approach with the makeup, letting her natural beauty carry whatever she’s wearing.

So tell me: what do you think she’ll be wearing on the red carpet this year?

Beauty blog BellaSugar has been on something of a Jen kick lately, which works out very well for fans like us! In a recent entry, they got the scoop on her makeup look in last month’s Harper’s Bazaar. Her sunkissed look, admired my many, was enhanced by the work of makeup artist Angela Levin. That certain je ne sais quoi, however, is all Jen’s.

The blog also goes back a bit further to give a how-to on the stacked ponytail that Jen wore to last year’s Friends With Money premiere (shown above). It looked fabulous on her, and it is an easy updo for both casual and slightly dressier occasions. Check out BellaSugar’s instructions here.

Finally, All Access Fashion has named Jen one of their FashICONs, for her “classic, conservative and yet individualistic style.” The blog uses pictures from the past few years to illustrate Jen’s consistent approach to red carpet style. Any observer can see that no matter what Jen wears, she always looks uniquely like herself.

Jennifer Aniston, fashion, beauty, makeup, hair, Harper’s Bazaar

On September 4, 2001, Jen and then-husband Brad Pitt hit the red carpet for the premiere of Jen’s movie Rock Star. In addition to the stars of the film and their guests, this event brought out its fair share of musical talent, with artists including Gene Simmons, Lisa Loeb, and the members of Everclear in attendance. Therefore, this evening had a bit of a looser feel than many Hollywood premieres, with all of the expressive personalities present!

As if to provide a contrast to her exaggerated look in the film, Jen kept things simple in the fashion department, with sleek hair and a take on basic black that showed off her figure to perfection. Her bubble skirt, however, did provide a subtle nod to ’80’s fashion. As she always does, Jen looked the part of a star, but in greeting the fans who came out to see her that night she also proved herself to be gracious and humble. This movie is about the challenges that fame can bring, and it is clear that Jen navigates them with class.

Jennifer Aniston, Rock Star, premiere, red carpet

Jen does not often appear in period pieces, but in 2001 Jen did just that, appearing in the 1980’s-set drama Rock Star. She played Emily Poule, the girlfriend/manager of Mark Wahlberg’s rising star Chris “Izzy” Cole. As compared to other women at rock concerts, Emily was meant to be a more level-headed, down-to-earth presence, so certain aspects of the “groupie” stereotype fell by the wayside. Nevertheless, in keeping with the time period, some edgier attire was necessary. Jen wore a lot of leather, in the form of both pants and jackets, and vintage items were in heavy rotation, with a bit of influence from earlier decades as well. In one very memorable scene (above), Jen wore a revealing crochet dress for a very period-appropriate evening look. Near the end of the movie, as she removes herself from the scene, Emily begins to favor a more relaxed look, as is fitting to her new life running a coffeehouse in early ’90’s Seattle.

The ’80’s were synonymous with big hair, and Jen’s look in this film was no exception. She wore very long hair, enhanced by extensions, and often wore it teased or tied back in ways that were typical of the period. A more extreme approach was necessary for her makeup as well; she wore bolder colors and for certain occasions she even wore glitter! Even though we are used to seeing Jen in more contemporary settings, in this film she showed that she has the range to play outside of the present day as well, and it does seem that she could even pull off a film set even farther back should she choose to do so.

Jennifer Aniston, Rock Star, period costumes, beauty, fashion

A new look?

Management has been very quietly filming for some time now, and I don’t know about all of you, but I have been on the edge of my seat waiting for a sneak preview. Well, thanks to Sky Showbiz, we have one! This shot shows Jen on the set, sporting a dramatically different look for the role, with darker, shorter hair and a very casual wardrobe. She has managed (no pun intended) to stay under the radar while in Oregon, and perhaps this explains her sudden magical ability to go incognito. Assuming that she has actually gone to the dark side (which she is no stranger to) and not just gone the wig route, that is. More on this as it develops; what do we think of this look?

Edit: More under the jump!
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In Friends With Money, Jen plays Olivia, a single woman who is searching for a career and a husband of her own while surrounded by friends who have already achieved these objectives. She cleans houses to make ends meet while she searches for her calling; therefore, she spends most of the film in very casual clothing. As a contrast to her wealthier counterparts, on a daily basis Olivia favors an aesthetic that falls somewhere between shabby chic and just plain shabby, although on Jen this look reads as simply natural and bohemian. However, this is not to say that she doesn’t clean up nicely; for a gala near the end of the movie, she wears a formal dress designed by Jane (Frances McDormand) and looks beautiful. While much is made of Olivia’s limited means, it seems that even outside of these constraints, Olivia is weary of the fussiness that surrounds her in L.A. and prefers to keep things simple.

This simple, go-with-the-flow approach extended to her hair and makeup. Prior to this production, Jen had recently wrapped Derailed. Having darkened her hair to play Lucinda, the look also worked for Olivia, whose low-maintenance aesthetic is well-suited by a natural-looking shade of brown and an unfussy style. Not much effort was made in the makeup department, either, due to director Nicole Holofcener’s commitment to authenticity. She has often expressed a distaste for the overuse of age-defying measures in Hollywood, and makes a somewhat ironic statement about it, with Olivia’s hoarding of anti-aging skin care. Nevertheless, Jen wore very little makeup as Olivia, and proved that in her case at least, natural is beautiful.

Jennifer Aniston, Friends With Money, wardrobe, beauty, Nicole Holofcener

In Style is a relatively young publication, coming on the market in 1994 with the aim of making celebrity style accessible. This would seem to fit nicely with Jen’s down-to-earth style, and indeed, she has graced their cover four times so far. Here is a history of Jen’s In Style cover appearances:

January 1996

In Style first caught up with Jen during the early days of Friends, and profiled the rising star’s easygoing style and meteoric rise to fame. While Rachel’s style was a hit with viewers, Jen insisted that her own style was much simpler, favoring t-shirts and khakis over designer frocks. The magazine even went so far as to ask Jen about the widespread emulation of her hairstyle. Her response? “Yeah, I know, everyone loves it. But I’m sick of it and I don’t know what to do, chop it off or grow it long.”

September 1999

A few years on, Jen was chosen to front the “What’s Sexy Now” issue. Clad in nothing but a sheet, she certainly epitomized that ideal, and she shared some of her own thoughts on the matter. When asked what she finds sexy in a man, she said, “Quirky is sexy, like scars or chipped teeth. I also like tattoos - they’re rebellious.”

September 2002

Once again, she showed readers what sexy is. This time, she was basking in rave reviews for The Good Girl, a film that featured Jen’s very first love scene. Of costar Jake Gyllenhaal, she said, “I couldn’t ask for a better, sweeter person to be devirginized on film with.” She also shared her feelings about the end of Friends, saying that she would get “all goosey and weepy thinking about it.”

January 2006

Upon the release of Rumor Has It, Jen invited In Style along on a girls’ trip to Mexico. Here, she shared her fresh post-divorce outlook, and talked about her goals for the future, which at that time included enriching her experiences through travel, taking new steps in her career, and laying down the foundation to start a family.

Jennifer Aniston, In Style

Even though Jen has always shined onscreen, it was her work during season 8 of Friends that really showed critics just what she is capable of. Throughout Rachel’s pregnancy storyline, Jen infused the role with the appropriate emotional depth and just the right amount of good humor, and captured perfectly the journey of a young woman unexpectedly pregnant by the man who would ultimately prove to be the love of her life. In September of 2002, she was presented with a well-deserved Emmy, and a few months later, she received a Golden Globe for her performance as well.

At that time, Jen was nursing a broken toe, having had an unfortunate run-in with an ottoman at home. However, just as she had at the People’s Choice Awards a week earlier, Jen managed to put her best foot forward anyway. She wore a glittering black halter dress (just long enough to cover her boot), with a cane to match. She completed the look with a sleek ponytail and dramatic makeup. She arrived fashionably late (thanks to the traffic) and spent very little time on the red carpet, but when her win was announced just a moment later, she made her way up to the stage and accepted her award with charm and good humor. Here’s what she later told Allure about the evening:

I was a blithering, stuttering idiot that night. No eloquence at all. The dress was falling apart. I couldn’t keep my boobs in it. My toe was still broken. The traffic was awful. Mine was the first award up. We had barely sat down when they called my name. You know what it is finally: I realize how silly all this is.

As she often does, Jen played it modest, but given the circumstances, she did very well that night. Jen has always had grace under fire, and many would say that that is one of the secrets to her staying power.

Jennifer Aniston, Golden Globes 2003

To play Chicago art dealer Brooke, Jen went for a look that was polished but approachable. Her outfits were high-end and stylish in order to provide a contrast to Gary’s sloppy look, but at the same time, she maintained her everywoman appeal by sticking to wearable, comfortable pieces (save for the occasional “big date” dress). For work, she wore professional basics with ease, favoring a simple Calvin Klein aesthetic. She wore, simple, beautiful jewelry by Jennifer Meyer, and as she often does, she set off a major trend, as women everywhere sought to emulate the look. Find out more about the collection here.

Her beauty routine was also refreshingly low-key, opting for wavy locks and neutral makeup; given that it was filmed during a humid Chicago summer, it was perhaps best to keep things simple! Though she wore nothing at all in the film’s most talked-about scene, for the rest of the film she wore outfits that complimented her beauty and her status as the heart of the film.

Jennifer Aniston, fashion, The Break-Up, Jennifer Meyer

In Along Came Polly, Jen played Polly Prince, a commitment-phobic free spirit with a taste for travel. It then follows that she would have to look the part of a woman who is not only beautiful, but a little bit unconventional with influences from all over the world. To this end, she wore a lot of ethnically-inspired clothing and hand-crafted pieces; these wardrobe components were mixed in with the comfortable basics that are characteristic of a young woman who often packs up on a moment’s notice.

This spontaneous look is complemented by sultry makeup with an emphasis on the eyes. Although Polly is the kind of girl who would probably keep it simple with a quick smudge of eyeliner, her look was a bit more involved, what with it being a movie and all. See Makeup 411 for the inside scoop on her products. Similarly, her “untamed” hairstyle actually took some effort. Temporary extensions were added for length, and various products were used to give her hair an unwashed look.

Even though Jen wore this look in character, she actually suits the bohemian look quite nicely, as it showcases her natural beauty without a lot of fuss. Furthermore, it works well with Jen’s approachable, easygoing demeanor; as costar Ben Stiller told Vogue, “She’s surprisingly cool and open-minded about life.”

Jennifer Aniston, Along Came Polly, fashion, beauty, costuming

In this post, I will begin to answer some of the many, many questions that have come my way. Some are more difficult to answer, as I cannot speak for Jen and there are some things that she declines to speak about publicly. Nevertheless, I will do my best. Without any further ado:

From Alice:

i want to ask jen :”jen,do you have boyfriend now? which kind of man you like ? i hope you be happy forever ,i really hope! and what do you wanna do next ? when you will marry to sb again? will you have a baby? do you like girl baby or boy baby?”

It seems that at this moment in time, Jen is single. In the past, she has said that she does not have a set “type,” saying instead that “men in general are a good thing.” As for the future? As she tole Elle magazine, “Past: done. Present: now. Future: none of our business.” With her free-spirited approach, she has the right outlook for whatever the future brings.

From Melanie:

Hi!

I would like to know what a typical day is like for Jen. Does she still do yoga? What kind of tunes does she like at the moment. Is she happy? What kind of nutrition is she eating?
Thank you so much!
M

It seems that she is still doing yoga; her instructor, Mandy Ingber, went with her to Hawaii recently, and the pictures from that outing make evident that she is doing something right! In the past, Jen was known to adhere to the Zone diet, but it does seem that in recent years she has loosened up and taken a more intuitive approach to her body’s needs - and is glowing for it. She is a longtime classic rock fan, showing a particular affinity for Aerosmith, and she was also spotted catching the recent Police reunion tour. As for whether she’s happy? Only Jen can answer that for sure.

Jennifer Aniston, FAQ, health, beauty, romance, miscellanea

Back in 2004, many were surprised to hear of Jen’s decision to star in Derailed. The role of Lucinda Harris was radically different from anything that Jen had ever played before, and for that reason she had to adopt a far sultrier look than is typical for her. This challenge was approached from the top down; her hair, typically a lighter shade, was dyed very dark for the role. This change was then complimented by a very sophisticated wardrobe fitting the typical look of a high-powered Chicago executive. A staple of Lucinda’s wardrobe was the classic trench, fitting both her businesslike persona and the noir feel of the film. A major plot point of the film is Charles’ sexual attraction to her, so much of the wardrobe was close-fitting and slightly revealing. Color was used very effectively, as the dark shades that Lucinda wore contributed to the shadowy feel of her scenes and provided an important contrast to Charles’ blonde, very suburban wife. Jen pulled off the mysterious look beautifully.

Jennifer Aniston, Derailed, costuming, film noir