Makeover Madness
Email this article to a friend 
Print this Article
It began innocently enough – with a stylist-directed shopping trip. High off the experience of a brand new below-the-neck and with my stylist recommends in hand, I went hog-wild (think haircut, makeup, microdermabrasion, and just a smidge of Botox for good measure). To say that I got swept up in the spirit of change would be an understatement. Though my new look softened over time and I grew to like it, the experience taught me a ton. I’m still a huge fan of fresh starts and transformation, but now I pace myself. Here are a few tips to consider before diving into that extreme makeover you’ve been dreaming of.
Timing Is Everything
Before
There’s a reason experts warn against doing anything drastic right BEFORE an important event (think big presentation or new company headshot), a point that was driven home for me as I dragged my ass through important meetings unable to move half my face. Even Madonna, the fearless master of reinvention, who shows up for each world tour looking like a new (younger) woman, knows better than to do it all the night before! Rule of thumb: Be sure to allow enough time to correct (or wait out) anything that could go wrong.
After
On the flip side, it can be even worse to do anything drastic to your look AFTER a big life event. Even the smartest women do cruel things to their hair on the heels of a bad breakup – and with plastic surgeons on nearly every corner, it’s easy to do something far more severe. Chomping at the bit for change? Wait…sit it out. If you still want a fresh look a few weeks later, then go for it. But resist booking an appointment for anything more permanent than a pedicure while blinded by emotion.
Slow And Steady Wins The Race
A new haircut would have been enough. A wardrobe overhaul would have been enough. A makeup lesson that left me looking like a hooker would have been a great place to stop. But alas, I kept going. In general, it’s better to space out dramatic changes slowly; one at a time. Moods fluctuate from one day to the next, making it risky to overhaul your entire look in a single afternoon. Looking in the mirror and seeing a total stranger can actually make you feel less secure rather than more – bringing on a mini identity-crisis. Advice: start small and take your time. Remember, you can always do more later.
Covert Ops
Do yourself a favor and test-drive your new look on the DL, either over the holidays or before a long weekend. Give yourself time to be alone with it – whatever it may be. You’ll look and feel more natural and confident when you finally do show it off if you’ve allowed yourself time to “grow into it” in private. And if anything should get too ugly it’ll be your little secret.
Stay True To You
A good makeover is about knowing what’s working and getting help with what isn’t. The great part about putting myself in the hands of experts was that it opened my mind to things I’d have never considered otherwise. Once I washed off most of the makeup, I had to admit that I’d learned a few new tricks; as the haircut grew out I started to dig it; and when the Botox relaxed a bit I did look younger. With a little distance, I was able to keep what I liked and leave the rest. In some cases, I preferred my old way of doing things. Lesson? If there’s something you already feel great about, keep it – after all, there’s nothing more attractive than a woman who is comfortable in her own skin (that can actually still move).