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Survey Finds That Reunions Are a Prime Reason People Revamp Their Looks

Reunion.com’s Makeover and Styling Experts Jim Wayne and Rachael Lorenz Offer Key Tips for Getting Ready for the Big Day

Los Angeles – June 29, 2005 – When Reunion.com Member Suzanne Robertson received an invitation to her 20-year high school reunion, her excitement quickly gave way to panic. Had it really been 20 years? More importantly, why did she let herself go?

In the midst of Reunion season, Reunion.com, the leader in keeping people in touch online, today announced the results of an online survey which showed that 55.6 percent of respondents want to update their appearance before heading to their reunion. To help these individuals, Reunion.com Makeover Expert Jim Wayne and Styling Expert Rachael Lorenz are offering advice on getting ready for a reunion. With more than 34 million registered users and 40,000 new Members each day, Reunion.com is a resource for thousands of people each year who are planning to attend their family or school reunions.

“When the invitation first arrived in the mail, I was excited – I couldn’t wait to see how much everyone had changed!” says Suzanne. “But then I quickly realized how much I had changed, and suddenly I found myself getting nervous.”

Suzanne is not alone. As the Reunion.com survey proved, thousands of people face the same concerns. In fact, over 70 percent of respondents admitted that they changed their look in some way. It was the easy-to-do improvements including updating hair, make-up and buying new clothes that were the most popular. Only 1 percent admitted to performing plastic surgery for an updated look. It is not just women, in fact, more men than women responded that they worked out to get in shape before a reunion.

Reunion.com's survey found that over 85 percent of respondents attend their reunion to see old friends or to see how people they know have changed. Reunions are also a time for people to reconnect with lost loves, either to rekindle a friendship or satisfy a curiosity. According to Dr. Nancy Kalish, Reunion.com’s Relationship Expert and author of Lost and Found Lovers, “People who have gone through major life changes since their high school or college days, such as divorce or widowhood, may be subconsciously looking to reconnect with a familiar face or old flame at their school reunions.”

Since it's more important than ever to look your best, Reunion.com's experts have compiled two lists of ways to ensure you look like the belle of the reunion ball.

Reunion.com Makeover Expert Jim Wayne of the famed Jim Wayne Salon in Beverly Hills – who cares for the coiffures of everyone from Faith Hill to Jennifer Garner – feels a new look is just what you need to get in the right frame of mind before your reunion.

5 Hair and Makeup Tips, by Reunion.com's Makeover Expert, Jim Wayne

• Update Your Look – It's been a while, so update your hairstyle and color now! For something trendy try straightening with
• Color Your Hair – Highlights are big, they change the whole glow of your face. If highlights don't work then consider changing the base color for an updated look.
• Put Your Hair Up – Go for it! For something special this is perfect. Put your hair up, add some new highlights and pull down some shorter pieces to frame your face.
• Update Your Makeup – Throw away your old blushes, mascara and eye shadows that have been in your drawers for too long. Go for new colors and new products including light and sheer colors this summer, bronzers for your face and shiny glosses for your lips.
• Clean Up First – Always clean up under your eyes with eye makeup remover, eye cream and concealer. You will see the difference it makes.

Reunion.com Styling Expert, Rachael Lorenz, a west coast style maven who has worked with Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics and Anne Klein provides some general rules of thumb that will help people look their best this summer.

5 Styling Tips, by Reunion.com’s Styling Expert, Rachael Lorenz

• Flatter Yourself – Clothing should be flattering, sexy and age appropriate. Even if you can still fit into that spandex mini-skirt you wore as a teen, don't trot it out for your reunion. Choose an outfit that flatters your natural lines.
• Don't Over Accessorize – A chunky, colorful, multi-strand necklace or an interesting jeweled belt will make enough of a statement without adding other bold accessories.
• Rely on the Black Dress – Slimming and stunning, this is always in style. This season, pair it with pewter shoes and a gold or silver-toned bag, or vice versa.
• Try Summer Trends – You can't go wrong with a flowing dress or full gathered skirt in Caribbean colors and patterns. For your feet, go for flat strappy sandals embellished with rhinestones, bright colored beads, turquoise and shells. With a fresh pedicure this look can be glam enough to go into the night.
• For Men Only – It is quite simple sometimes. Take this simple advice that so many men don't follow. Match your belt to your shoes, do not wear a sport watch with a formal outfit, don't wear short socks and ensure your clothes fit properly so they are not baggy and do not ride up around the collar.

Check out www.reunion.com. for its new Expert Advice area for more essential information on planning a reunion, tips on looking your best, and interesting facts about rekindled relationships.

About Reunion.com
Reunion.com is the leader in keeping people in touch online. With a membership base of more than 35 million, growing by up to 40,000 new users every day, Reunion.com helps people find and reconnect with old friends, classmates, family, lost loves, military buddies, or anyone. As life changes, members also stay in touch through an array of features allowing them to send email and broadcast announcements, post and read messages, share photos and other life updates, post reunions and events, and automatically keep their address books up-to-date using patented 'Reunion.com for Outlook' software. Reunion.com is privately-held and based in Los Angeles, California. For more information, visit www.reunion.com.