In Need of a New Look
 

Seeing Snowy's new hair-do (which is beautiful, btw) made me realize that I really, really want a new look for myself. I want my hair to be different and I want to learn how to wear makeup better (and still look natural).

How do you find a new look? How would you know if it would look good on you?

Well, in my case, I had a rough idea of what I wanted. Generally, though, you just have to go for it. If you go to a good salon, the stylist will do a free consultation with you before a cut to decide what you want to do. They will take into consideration things like your face structure and shape as well as your hair type. This kind of service costs more, obviously; in your area you're probably looking at spending at least $75-$100 for the cut (based on what I've read in Women's Health; haircuts in your part of the country are apparently outrageously expensive). If you're really looking to change your look and you don't know where to start, that is what I would recommend, because they will consult with you, and often if you don't like the cut, you'll be able to go back and get it fixed free of charge. You really do get what you pay for with haircuts. Ultimately, though, you just have to take the plunge and chop it off; I admit that yesterday I was so impatient to have it done I went to Supercuts. :lol: Surprisingly, she did a good job--usually that isn't the case as I have 1) a lot of hair and 2) it takes a lot of time to cut, something people at Supercuts aren't usually willing to do. It's so freeing! I really recommend short hair. :)

As for wearing makeup better--how do you wear your makeup now? What do you wear? What products do you use?

There are quite a few sites out there that take your face and replace your hair with a new color and style. Only problem is they don't take into consideration the thickness of your natural hair. So what looks possible online really isn't irl.

Regarding make-up, I recently and finally delved into Bare Minerals / Bare Escentuals. I'm VERY happy. Buxom Lips in 'Dolly' = best color ever.

Hit magazines and / or print pictures from the interwebz, regarding your hair. And I also recommend hitting a high end salon for this dramatic change. Reserve the el cheapo places for maintenance. As far as make up is concerned, I feel virtually any place will do a great job. But I.D. Bare Minerals is the hip thing atm. I really recommend them.

When I wasn't sure what to do with my makeup for my wedding, I went into the Mac counter at Macys. A number of friends had recommended their products. I'm pretty sure any cosmetics company has the same sort of policy - purchase one product and they'll give you a makeover. As they're doing you up, ask about why they chose the colors they did, what other colors they would recommend. Then you purchase one of the items that they show looks good for your skin tone. Have them give you a list of the products and colors they used on you for the makeover. You can then purchase them through that counter or you can find similar-looking alternatives through another company.

As for hair - others have excellent recommendations here.
I tend to look through a bunch of different pictures of hairstyles to get an idea of what is current, then I go in and tell the stylist to have fun. "I want something short and hip that will look good with my features" or "I want something with length but is easily managed." I've never been to a more expensive salon - just picked out my favorite-looking stylist from someplace like Great Cuts and I was happy. There was once that I went to get my hair cut by someone at the Paul Mitchell school - it was inexpensive and a good experience, though it did take longer than any other haircut.

Thank you for your reply and all the info! Making a change is not an easy thing for me to do,but I really want to do it this time. I did some research about hair. Apparently, the long bob is an "in" style this year. Not that I normally care what is in.. but this style would be shorter than what I have, but not too drastic of a change. I think I will ask my hairdresser what she thinks the next time I go.

As for makeup, I think one of the weekend that the kids are at their father's, I will go the mall and look for a makeover and advice.

I really need to change. I want to look better and feel better about myself.

I've always had luck getting makeovers at the Clinique counter, and their cosmetic colors tend to be very natural-looking.

Another tip with the makeup that I've enjoyed from when I've gone to Clinique and Estee' Lauder for wedding party makeup, etc. Is to learn to put a feature on spotlight. It doesn't do well to have them competing, so that helps me mix up my looks. I can get the foundation, and then depending on whether I want to play up my eyes, lips, cheekbones, etc, you can have a more noticeable color in one of those areas. So I tend to have both neutral shades of gloss and shadow, as well as a few bolder colors of each that I can use depending on the occasion.

For my hair recently, it was my first time at that salon. I told the artist that I wanted something with layers, something that I can manage with minimal to low maintenance, and that could fit into a ponytail. Then I told her to have fun! I really like how it turned out.

A hairstylist you can trust is worth his weight in gold. Mine just seems to know what to do with my hair. He's open to trying new things, but isn't into pushing the latest style if it isn't right for me.

I *lurve* him

Oh, and they have sites online where you can upload a pic of yourself and play with different hairstyles. It's cool.

I just got an awesome deal on some Bare Essentials on QVC! $60 value for $40 (includes tax/shipping). It comes with instructions too! I can't wait to try it. It was a set with foundation type things. BareMinerals I hope that link works!

omfg my mother just called me about the same deal lol! She hooked me up.

I also use the blush in 'glee.' Beautiful color! What color foundation did you get? Oh I'm positive you'll be happy. Let me know :).