I have always been fascinated by the idea of giving complete creative control to a beauty or fashion expert. Asking for a makeover can imply that we don’t trust ourselves to make decisions about our appearance. Or, as in my case, I am prone to body dysmorphia, so I truly don’t trust what I see in the mirror. After spending the past year in sweatpants, no makeup, and covered by a mask, I felt desperate for a dramatic change. As I started writing this article, I thought about what it really means to embark on a makeover.
Most of us are used to doing our usual ritual when it comes to beauty and fashion. During lockdown, I was binge-watching shows such as Ambush Makeover, Extreme Makeover, and What Not to Wear. I loved seeing the transformations, but I began to notice that in several of the episodes, the subject of the makeover looked uncomfortable after the transformation. Even with the new haircut, makeup and wardrobe, these women (and men) seemed like they weren’t able to fully embrace so much change. I would be willing to bet that most of them eventually reverted back to the comfort that they knew.
Here are a few thought to consider when we get that irresistible urge to go out and do something drastic. Before making your decision, you might want to ask yourself the following questions to avoid regret or disappointment.
Understand why you feel the need to change. Is it because you are going through a major life change, such as a breakup, birth of a child, a new relationship, or recovery?
Evaluate your current lifestyle. How are you living your life? Are you starting a new job/new relationship which will have time constraints that will make it unrealistic to maintain the change? If you are someone who lives in leggings and Uggs, will you be comfortable splurging on an expensive new wardrobe that consists of body conscious clothes and heels?
Are you ready for the change? The change that I am addressing is a significant one-such as cosmetic surgery, a major haircut, a tattoo, or a brand new expensive wardrobe.
Are your expectations realistic? How much do you think that your life will be changed by your decision?
You might consider starting your makeover with a small change. If you wear only lip gloss or neutral colors on your lips, try a darker lip stain instead. Or maybe start using a lip pencil to define the shape more.
The same goes for foundation. If you only wear tinted moisturizer, try a light or medium coverage foundation.
Another small tweak that can really change your face is to define your eyebrows. Start with a powder if you want a subtle look. Or go all out with pencil, brow gel, and concealer to really define the shape!
As far as a major haircut, try tucking your hair into your shirt, or pin it in a way that fakes shorter hair. Wigs and hairpieces are another way to experiment before getting the Big Chop.
Making gradual changes will leave you feeling refreshed and renewed while allowing you to slowly embrace them. I would love to hear your experiences with makeovers, or any thoughts you may have. As always, thank you for reading!
xx
