Look Your Best To Feel Your Best
years ago, while at the height of my makeup obsession, i came across a short NYT article written by renowned makeup artist and innovator, scott barnes. in it, he said:
Looking good leads to feeling good, feeling good leads to empowerment. When you put your best face forward, it gives you the opportunity to really accelerate in life. Feeling good commands respect. And that’s really empowering.
i found it to be a really interesting take on advocating for investing in/working on one’s physical appearance, a concept often thought of as vain, shallow, and unworthy of one’s time or interest. but, as scott also said in the same article, you can use beauty to bolster yourself and the people around you, not just for vanity. use beauty to create positive change. i really love that.
if you agree and would like to look your best to feel your best, then follow some expert advice below.
FIND YOUR STYLE
one of the most significant things you can do to look and feel your best is to take some time to truly find your style. finding a style that works for you is all about figuring out what cuts and shapes best complement your body type and preferences, while letting your personality shine — a look that makes you feel like your best self every time you step out the front door!
the great thing about finding your style is that it’s an ongoing process. it does not have to be definitive in all ways, at all times. instead, you can explore trends and influences from a range of spaces including vintage, streetwear, minimalism, and even high fashion.
IMPROVE YOUR SMILE
it can be hard to feel your best when you don’t dare smile because you don’t like your teeth. the good news is that it’s easier and cheaper than ever to improve your smile. you don’t even have to visit your dentist to get access to clear retainers that will slowly move your teeth into a more aligned position. instead, they can be sent to your home.
the main benefit of using clear retainers is that they are much less noticeable than traditional train track braces. they are also far more comfortable, making the entire teeth-straightening process much easier and less stressful.
MINIMIZE SCARS
our scars are a part of our story — a reminder of how far we’ve come — but that doesn’t mean we always want to show them off to the world. indeed, many of us struggle with confidence as a result of visible scars or birthmarks that make us feel like we are constantly on show, and not in a good way.
fortunately, there are several routes we can take to minimize the look of scars. the first is to apply a product like BioOil, which is designed to help expedite the healing process, and so reduce the look of the scar. some laser and micro-needling treatments do the same, at an even faster rate, albeit at higher price points.
then there is camouflage makeup which is designed to cover the scar and even out the skin tone. many people also use this type of makeup to conceal tattoos for weddings, job interviews, and the like. the options are certainly there!
TAKE CARE OF YOUR HAIR
it has been said that your hair is a ‘hat that you never take off’. this of course makes it more than worth your while to take good care of your hair and go beyond just regular cuts and colors. indeed, for truly healthy, shiny hair you need to be using the right products and choosing the right treatments to keep it in tip-top condition.
investing in moisturizing or protein rich products can help enhance your hair and repair damage, as well as stop it from looking frizzy or dry. similarly, you can bring out your natural waves and curls with the curly girl method, which so many people swear by.
those of us with fine hair will benefit most from lightweight treatments or serums that do not weigh the shaft of the hair down. additional products that encourage texture such as sea salt sprays can be helpful for fine hair as it provides something for the strands to grip onto, making volumizing a lot easier.
i hope some of these ideas help! what else would you add to the list for looking AND feeling your best, so you can be your most empowered self?
