Smile! You Are At The DMV!

And here I thought I was the only one! My driver's license expires this week so I was proactive and decided get it renewed last Friday.

I casually mentioned to my BFF that I couldn't have lunch with her because I needed to go home after bootcamp and shower because I was going to the DMV to get my new license. She then oustrocized me about how ridiculous that was, "who gets done up for their driver's license?! Ha! Ha! Ha! " I proceeded to tell her that I hadn't washed my hair in two days, I wake up at 3am and by 1pm I look pretty wilted. Plus, I was going to bootcamp and was going to be all sweaty! I could guarantee you that I was not going to want to look at that photo for the next 5 years!! What is so wrong with wanting to look nice in a photo that I have to show at the airport, at the liquor store, at the movies, at the gas station, basically I get carded everywhere I go (not complaining)! Plus it gave me an excuse to wash my hair.  After being teased about this all weekend I took to the air this morning to find out if I am alone in this photo decision. Nope. 100% of the calls from women said they make sure to look their best for their driver's license photo. I was mild in comparison to some of the calls we got: hair salon appointments, new makeup, new outfits, botox, makeovers, Sham-WOW scrubbings and more! And maybe even a little nip and tuck if you are going to go for the 8 year renewal. Driver's License photo is serious business! It could get me out of a ticket one day....of course I would have to have washed my hair that day and since that is my most hated part of my beauty routine, the chances are highly unlikely! But still, I am willing to take the chance. And now I anxiously await the arrival of my new driver's license in the mail.

I found this article online from www.driving-tests-.org about what to do to get a good photo at the DMV. Since the article was written by a man and no man agreed with me this morning, I feel I need to add in a few things. I do agree with the eye drops suggestion! Men just don't get it like a woman does. And these pointers apply to both sexes!

1. Plan on getting ready. Just don't show up. Make a plan to leave your house after getting ready and going straight to the DMV for your photo. No plans in between. Or go before work so you look fresh!
2. Wash your hair and do your makeup how you know it looks the best! Not a good day to try out a new hairstyle or try a new way of doing your eyeliner. Do what you know!
3. Pick out a color that brings out your eyes. The majority of this shirt will not show in the photo but it can still make your eyes pop. This guy is right about no, black, white or any color that washes you out. Most of the time you can't see the shirt. (One listener said NO BSU gear. If you wear orange, all it looks like is a prison jumpsuit).
4. No off the shoulder stuff. Wear a solid colorered shirt. No sphagetti straps. No tube tops. You'll look naked. No big coats. You will look puffy. Think simple and flattering.
5. Let your teeth breathe. They have a sign that says you can't smile, but I showed a little teeth and the computer didn't reject me like the guy did on my senior prom.  Relax, open your eyes, not creepy, googly eyed, but a little a little bigger than usual. Push your chin forward just a smidge to make sure you don't have more chins than humanly possible and hold that pose!

Hopefully in 3 weeks you will end up with a photo that you can tolerate for the next 5 years! I always take the 5 year option in case there is a major weight loss, I grew in height over the summer or I can't stand to look at the photo. It's worth the few extra dollars I end up paying over the 13 year time frame.
Good Luck! May the photo fairies be in your favor as one of the Simpson Sister's call #345 and yells NEXT!

~Kate McGwire