[Gayle]

Can I stress once and for all that I do not wear rosy specs and that I am well aware of the flaws of the area - heck, why do you think I put myself through the hell of standing for council?

But, I was always told that if you want a good haircut you have to go to the hairdressers with your makeup on. The point being that you have to at least look like you want to improve yourself before someone else will help you. And yes, makeup may be playing down the flaws but it gets you the good haircut which then gets you the self esteem and the good job.