Do Your Own Makeover
Get over your mullet and hammer pants
You’ve frantically been emailing every beauty makeover show on the air, and you still find yourself waiting by the phone. Forget ‘em! Victoria, a head stylist at REDD Salon in Toronto shares her first tip: “Give yourself over to others so that you can actually complete your makeover, but don’t be afraid to say no. Also, be prepared to spend some money and learn new techniques to help maintain your transformation.”
Start with one thing.
Trying to do a full makeover all at once is like trying to run a marathon when you can’t even run half a block to catch the bus. “Small changes can be as drastic as big ones,” Victoria tells us, so start with the one thing that you can transform easily in order to inspire yourself to continue. Losing weight is not the best first option as it will probably have you ditching the makeover moves within a week. The easiest things to start with are hair, make up and clothing. To start: “Prepare your budget and know how much you want to spend on each area.”
Start inside.
Consider your personality traits and create your style around them. If you’re subdued, parading around in thigh high boots and bright red hair isn’t a good choice, it’s a drastic one. If you want to show your professional strength, hot pink short skirts might earn you a promotion, but they won’t command respect. Alongside categorizing yourself, Victoria suggests asking others how they’d categorize you to give you an idea of how people perceive you – this will help you decide what kinds of changes to make.
Call on stylish friends.
Before whipping out your credit cards or booking appointments, call on your own resources. If you have a friend whose style you admire, ask for some ideas. “Get her to help you go through your closet, makeup and hair products and purge.” After that, Victoria suggests booking consultations with hairstylists, make up artists and wardrobe stylists. They’re usually free and you can get a great idea about what changes others would make.
Your hair should focus on two things.
The first thing: the style should fit your physical features and personality. Secondly: make sure it’s a style you’re going to make an effort to maintain. “Consult your hair stylist when it comes to your makeover and demand some kind of change but know the limitations of your lifestyle,” Victoria advises. That teased layered look may have sex appeal, but if it’s going to be a floppy mess in a week, go low-maintenance. Trust the hairstylist but make sure you put definite perimeters on what you’re after. You have to live with it, not her.
Make your make up actually work for you.
The majority of us learned how to put make up on at sleepovers when we were 12. Ditch that ancient eye shadow. Learn how to apply foundation that actually matches your skin. Get advice from a make up artist. “Make sure you ask for a drastic version and a subtle version, and this will help to break you out of what you know,” Victoria suggests.
Shop smart.
Hopefully you’ve been preparing for the “shopping” phase during the first two stages. The key is to leave the delusions at home when shopping. We see some cute top that we’re in love with but in the light of our own homes, we realize it’s not that flattering at all. Start by talking with a wardrobe stylist or doing some research online. Learn what colors look best on you and what styles work for your body type. This is especially important if you’re trying to look slimmer (which, let’s face it, most of us are). Avoid bulky fabrics, items that are too clingy or too flowing, and be careful with patterns. Enhance your best features. Most importantly, forget the number on the label and choose what fits.
The biggest benefit that comes with makeovers is boosting your confidence. True confidence will garner more notice than your MAC makeup and Dior outfit combined.
Written by: Robyn Burnett