Women! Awesome as we are, we are the most self auditing, reinventing, newness craving beasts that ever roamed the earth!So while the boys gear up for March Madness, in our own way, we do too! Makeover Mayhem! Magazines will soon be sprouting new colors, makeup and accessories that call to us from the checkout aisle… "Makeoverrrrrrr….. you know you waaaannnt toooo!" Lol Cmon! Lets give our self esteem a boost, and have some fun getting out of that winter frump.
Step 1: BRAINSTORM!
- Flip thru the television stations, Get LAST year’s spring magazine, or this year’s hot-or-not gossip Hollywood online article and make a list of what you WISH you looked like. No holds barred. Have at it. Bombard your fairy god mama with all your hearts desires.
- Now. Get the red pen. Circle all the POSSIBLE stuff. Be creative though – wishing you were taller may just mean you could wear heels and elongating outfits that can create the illusion of height! #keepthat !
Step 2: NARROW IT DOWN!
- Pick a few celebrities, a hair blogger, a cooking show host, someone in the public eye who’s style you just LOVE, and jot down some things about them that makes them awesome to you. Make a collage of their pictures if you want, just for a visual “map” of what you are looking for.
- Don’t forget Hair styles, body types and style types.
o For example, Erykah Badu has a very stand-out, unique style. She wears nude lips and dark liners to emphasize her flawless brown skin, thick brows and green eyes. She has natural hair that she usually will wear in a stand out, statement-making way. She’s confident, and not afraid to wear a dashiki, or a mini skirt. Or both!
- Here are my celeb Inspriations!:
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| Curly Nikki, and below - Tracee Ellis Ross |
Step 3: PLAN!
- Find out your Body type and what is flattering on you. Now there are a ton of articles that will tell you a ton of different things. Best bet? Find an article and actually try out the different styles you seem them comparing. If you like it on you – then to heck with the contrary/popular belief in the mag! But if you find you agree, then follow the directions on what to wear and what to .. .not. Either way, you will have guidelines as to what brings out the best in your shape.
- If a change in weight is your goal to happiness, get serious about what its going to take. Start planning your meals to eat better and exercise. Regardless of what your goals are, they probably don’t include a pizza face and grungy nails, so take extra care to well… take care! Drink plenty of water ( ugh! I know!) and veggies and fruits and cut out the french fries. Yada Yada.. you know the deal!
- Try out the new hairstyle on a Saturday, when you’ve got NO where to go. Usually styles turn out awesome when there’s no pressure ( and no one to see it. Lol ) If it’s a dramatic cut – PLEASE consult a trusted professional first!! They will know how to either coach you on how to gradually achieve the style and length you want, as well as (carefully!) chopping it off and giving you the coif you desire. The key great hair is PATIENCE and RESEARCH.
Step 4: PRACTICE!
- Go shopping, but don’t buy out the whole zebra section of Charming Charlie’s JUST yet. Lol Pick up a few items that you really like, and that reflect this new style you want to have.
o For example, I loooovve Joan from GF’s . Fly style and classic beauty. I can’t dress like Joan all the time, her stuff is designer! I aint balling like that yet! Lol But I can pick up a blazer, pleated skinny pants and a long pendant necklace like Joan wears. Just to try it out on myself. I can buy some statement-making shoes that I really love, but make sure they are work apropos, and comfy so they are practical. Just trying out a few things helps me be sure I like the style, and not spend a fortune on stuff I will never wear, or have to take back.
- Makeup! Remember the celeb look you loved? Bring a pic to the MAC counter! ( Or any other good makeup counter! Lol ) A professional will be able to guide you through how to make your daily makeup face, party face, and date face look the way you want, without looking like the king of Pop…. Tarts.
Step 5: REVEAL AND MAINTAIN
- Well, if you’ve practiced your accessories, hair and outfits, and you think you’re ready for the world.. Go on and shine! Don’t forget to be constantly improving and personalizing the look. Now that you know what colors, styles and enhancements to look for, you will naturally begin to make the style your own.
- One last detail – I cannot stress enough the importance of keeping yourself up! The point of a makeover is not to look different for a few days, its to boost your confidence, reinvent your self image, create a fresh NEW look for yourself, and hopefully shed the icky little habits that led you to want a makeover in the first place. Fun little extras:
o Create a beauty regimen and Reward yourself with little “look-related” gifts when you succeed!
o Dont forget the accessories! Purses, bracelets, earrings... they can turn a blah outfit into a Carrie Bradshaw, ok? lol
o At least be fly. No matter if it’s a work day and your swag is on Newlook3000 or if its Sunday and you’re rocking the sweats.. your makeover should be about your attitude and presentation as well. If you love this new look and its really you - slowly Incorporate your new style in EVERYTHING you own by gradually changing out everything from your socks to your outerwear. Raincoats, Undies, club dress jackets, car accessories, work sweaters and even umbrellas are part of your overall look. I’m not saying throw away all your old comfies, but I am saying, one day when you decide to get your mail in your cute sweats instead of the raggedy “old you” ones with the hole in the thigh… and your shirtless, beamer driving neighbor wanders over to say hi… you will thank me.
