| Michelle Trachtenberg: Dawn Blossoms On Buffy |
| Karen Marie Shelton |
| Date: 5/2/2002, 6/28/2005 |
Introduction
 Michelle
Trachtenberg is anything but an ordinary 17-year-old. The lovely and
multi-talented actress, born October 11th, 1985 in New York City,
currently plays the mystery-laden character
Dawn Summers, Buffy's little sister, on
UPN's award winning "Buffy the Vampire Slayer. (All photos in
this article are courtesy of UPN and UPN2001. All rights
reserved).
Although Dawn's entrance on one of television's most successful
hits was initially unexplained, her role as "The Key" to
all the secrets in Sunnydale and the world eventually evolved into a major
story line. Although Michelle has admitted in press interviews that
she was a little nervous about "popping" up suddenly in
Buffy's 5th season opener, she was also excited by the opportunity
to work with her old friend Sarah Michelle Geller from All My
Children soap days.
Although her character was mysterious in the beginning, Michelle has
confused in interviews that her Buffy character shares a lot of her
own characteristics. Confessing to be outgoing, opinionated
and fun loving, Michelle has had a lot of practice being a little
sister. Besides big sister Buffy, Michelle has her own real-life big
sis that she can bicker with off the set. Although Michelle's real
life sibling is seven years older Michelle has reported that she and
her sister have gotten closer over the years.
Long
Luxurious Toffee Strands
Michelle
need not have worried about her character's addition to the
cast. Both Michelle and Dawn Summers have proven to be a
popular hit with Buffy fans. Michelle's long toffee colored
lovely locks have also endeared her fans of long hair.
 Although
Michelle as Dawn Summers tends to wear her one length strands
straight and parted in the middle, she adds a bit of sass with
simple ponytails and curls. Michelle also likes to pull a few
strands from either side of her stunning face and pin her hair
partially back as shown to the side.
To steal Michelle's stunning straight sleekness:
1. Start with a visit to your stylist for a trim that gives
you blunt healthy ends.
2. Shampoo with a product designed for your hair type. If
you need extra volume, shampoo with Phytotherathrie's
Volume or the new Volume
Mousse Shampoo. Follow with a rinse out conditioner if
appropriate. Finish the cycle with a cool/cold water rinse to
add extra shine.
If you have colored or highlighted hair consider using color enhancing
shampoo and conditioner to keep your hues looking spectacular.
3. Towel blot hair to remove moisture. Apply a good
detangler and remove all tangles working from the bottom to the top
of the head. If you wish to copy Michelle's center part, use a comb
with a pointy end and create a part from the front to the back of
your head.
4. For extra fullness apply a volume enhancing product like
Phytotherathrie
Actif at the roots. If extra volume is not required, apply
a good
leave-in conditioner or heat
protectant spray to protect strands from blow-dryer
heat. If you prefer, apply a gel or styling mousse to add
overall control and body.
For hair with slight natural curl or wave apply a straightening
balm or defrisant
balm to help straighten as you blow dry.
5. Separate your hair into sections and blow
dry using a boar's head
paddle brush. Told the hair taut with the brush and direct
the air flow of the dryer from the roots to the ends to add natural
shine.
6. Once the hair is 100% dry clip
the upper layer of hair up and away from your face. Use a flattening
iron on individual sections to get a totally
straight and smooth
finish. If you want a slight curl at the ends, use a curling
iron for just a few sections on the ends to give slight curls
and definition.
7. To finish the look spritz lightly with a good shine spray like
Mine
Barbee Blast. If you prefer, use your fingers to smooth
your hair into place then add a few drops of Phytotherathrie
Serum to the palms of your hands and smooth over the top of your
hair from roots to ends.
Wear hair parted from the middle like Michelle or jazz up the
look with a zigzag
or messy part. If you prefer Michelle's curly look, use a
curling iron or hot
curlers on your hair after it is dry rather than the
straightening iron. Remember, the larger the curlers or
curling iron barrel, the larger the curls.
To get Michelle's pulled back look, take 1 1/2 to 2" section
sections of hair at the hairline and pull back to the middle of the
crown. Clip with a sparkly
barrette or small jeweled clips. Leave the length to flow
down your back is soft curls, waves or strands.
Viola. You should have sleek, shiny, sultry locks like a
hot new star.
More
About Michelle
 As
an actress Michelle is perhaps
best known for her starring role in "Harriet the Spy,"
opposite Rosie O'Donnell, for which she won the "Best Lead
Actress in a Feature Film" award from "Young Artists of
Hollywood." (Photo of Michelle as Dawn in "Entropy" on
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER broadcast on UPN. Photo: Richard Cartwright UPN2001. All rights reserved).
A native New Yorker, Trachtenberg began her acting career at the age
of four when she appeared in her first television commercial.
Since then, she has appeared in over 100 national spots and in
starring roles both in film and on television.
In 1999, Trachtenberg starred opposite Matthew Broderick in the
live-action feature film "Inspector Gadget." Her
other feature credits include roles in the independent films
"Can't Be Heaven," "The Cage" and
"Melissa."
 Daytime television fans will remember
Trachtenberg from her role as the autistic Lily Montgomery on
"All My Children," at which time the drama also
starred Sarah Michelle Geller. All photos in this article
are courtesy of UPN and UPN2001. All rights reserved).
She was also a series regular
on the Nickelodeon series "The Adventures of Pete &
Pete." Trachtenberg's other television credits include
guest starring roles on "Meego," "Guys Like
Us," "Figure It Out," "Dave's World,"
"Law & Order," "Saturday Night Live,"
"Clarissa Explains It All" and "Space Cases," as
well as the television movies "A Father's Choice" opposite
Peter Strauss and Mary McDonnell, and "Christmas in Our Home
Town" with Melissa Gilbert.
For the past five years, Trachtenberg has been an active
spokesperson for R.A.D.D., DARE America, The Starlight Foundation
and many others. Her contributions to the fight against drugs
earned her the prestigious responsibility of representing the youth
of America at CNN's headquarters in Atlanta, where she helped
President Clinton launch "The Coalition for a Drug Free
America" campaign. In her spare time, Trachtenberg enjoys
swimming, rollerblading, ice-skating, bicycling and writing short
stories.
Since
debuting in 1997, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" has become
one of television's most successful breakout hits, giving
Michelle a fabulous opportunity to add more credits to her already
impressive acting credentials. She began her acting
career in TV commercials, appearing in over 100.
Conclusion
Michelle
has lovely long chocolate brown locks that looks stunning either
long and sleek or pulled back and cascading in long soft waves. |