Do you ever look in the mirror and wonder “Who the heck are you?”? No matter how old we get, a part of us keeps expecting to see our 18 year-old selves looking back at us in the glass. Yet, the jarring feeling that we often get from looking in the mirror isn’t necessarily because we’ve changed. Far from it. In many cases, it’s because we’ve not been making enough changes to our appearance. And if we’re less than happy with the way we look, it can give rise to dysmorphic disorders that make us see flaws that seem glaringly obvious… but that either aren’t there or massively exaggerated by the lens of our psyche.
Changing up your look can actually be very psychologically beneficial. It can imbue us with a sense of a fresh start. A new beginning that will bring us closer to the version of ourselves that we want to be. It can effect changes in our outlook and our personality from the outside in.
The good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune on a brand new wardrobe or endure going under the knife for cosmetic procedures to make changes to your appearance. In fact, you don’t need to make grand sweeping changes to your appearance at all (although you certainly shouldn’t underestimate the psychological benefits of a makeover). Sometimes even small changes to our appearance can be powerfully effective. Let’s take a closer look at some subtle ways in which you can reinvent yourself by changing your look
Change your frames
If you wear glasses, these are a great opportunity to make changes to your look without having to reinvent the wheel. And no, you don’t have to switch them out for contact lenses. Changing your frames can subtly alter how people perceive the shape of your face, and determine where the eye is drawn. How do you think nobody ever figured out Superman’s secret identity?
Head on over to https://www.eyeglasses.com and choose yourself a new pair of designer frames. Over time, the shape of your face may have changed subtly, and as such your current frames may not be quite so flattering to your face. If, for instance, your face has gotten a little rounder, round or oval shaped lenses may exaggerate this in unflattering ways. However, switching them out for rectangular lenses that push beyond the lines of your face can create a much more flattering look. By the same token, if you’ve lost weight recently, your rectangular frames may be making your features look a little too severe. Swapping them for oval-shaped frames can soften your features in a subtly pleasant way.
Flip your hair
One of the smallest ways in which you can change your look, but you may be surprised by how effective it can be. And best of all, it’s completely free! Flipping your hair by parting it on a different side can change the way the front sections frame your face. Our faces are asymmetrical, and drawing attention to a different side of your face can subtly change how your features are perceived, What’s more, because your hair is behaving in an unfamiliar way, you may find that you have a little extra volume at the root.
If your hair has been “trained” to fall in a certain way over the years, you may encounter a little resistance to this. Try parting your hair before bed with a comb and some styling cream. Then keep it in place with an elastic headband, slipping a bit of tissue beneath the band to prevent it from leaving crease marks in your hair.
Rethink your foundation
Your foundation is the key component that ties your makeup look together. The clue’s right there in the name. And a few small changes to how you apply it can have a surprisingly big impact on your look. Use a wedge-shaped, non-latex sponge to ensure that your foundation is applied perfectly evenly to give you a flawlessly smooth complexion that you can build on with the rest of your makeup look. For a radiant effect, try adding a few drops of skin luminiser. This can give your skin a youthful, dewy look that can knock years off you without transforming your appearance.
Change your black eye pencil
Yes, black is a classic. But if you’ve always used a black eye pencil, another subtle yet effective way to change your look is to swap your black (or brown) eye pencil with a deep blue one. Navy or indigo hues work best. This small change can make the whites of your eyes look brighter and make tired looking eyes seem more vibrant and alert. These shades also have enough depth to draw attention to the shape of the eye, but give a bolder and more contemporary look.
Don’t change your wardrobe… change your accessories
As much as we all might like to treat ourselves to a brand new wardrobe to help us reinvent ourselves, very few of us can realistically fit such an extravagance into our budget. But that’s okay! You really don’t need to change your whole wardrobe to reinvent your look. You just need to change the pieces that people notice the most. Like your accessories. This is a great budget-friendly way to revivify your look. Opting for faux leather or faux crocodile skin is an affordable and ethical way to make your accessories seem more glamorous. Likewise, brass hardwear instead of silver can make your accessories look higher-end, more eye-catching and more glamorous.
Take risks with your lipstick
While we’re on the subject of makeup, never underestimate the subtly transformative effect of the right lipstick. Many of us tend to err on the side of caution with our lipsticks, and while his is understandable, a lipstick that is too conservative can wash out the rest of the face. There are many of us who eschew red lipsticks because they feel that they can’t pull off such a bold colour. But a good red lipstick is the little black dress of makeup. It’s versatile. It can be dressed up or down. And it’s pretty much universally flattering. Choosing a slightly cool, blue-based red can ensure a flattering match for virtually every skin tone, and the bold red will even make your teeth look whiter, too.
Let your feet do the talking
Let’s be honest, few of us need an excuse to invest in another pair of shoes. However, if you want to make changes to your appearance, and aren’t sure where to start, going shoe shopping can be a great jumping off point. Your shoes have a huge knock-on effect on your shape. They can lengthen and flatter the leg, as well as making you taller and helping you to feel more empowered. They can also subtly change your gait and the way you stand. Whether you want to make a killer impression on a first date, or make a big impression in the boardroom, your feet can make a bold statement in the right shoes!
A pointed-toe pump is a versatile addition to any wardrobe, and is flattering in every size and for every body shape. So if you don’t have any in your home, they should be considered absolutely essential.
None of the above will create a “brand new you”. We happen to think the original you is pretty darned great! They will, however, give you a feeling of renewal and rejuvenation, subtly altering your look to give you more confidence.
Disclosure: This is a featured post.