It’s very easy to become stuck in a style rut. We tend to stick to the same type of clothing as we always wear, and do our hair and make-up the same way every day – or perhaps cycle through the same three or four different looks! Often, we might want to break out of our style habits and try a new look, but are unsure of where to start, or worry that it will cost a lot of money to have a proper makeover.
The good news, however, is that it is much easier than you think to spice up your style without having to splash out too much. By just making a few little changes here and there, the effect can be more striking than you might realise. Plus, you don’t have to do anything drastic or permanent, so if you change your mind there’s no harm done.
With that in mind, here are four simple steps you can take to revitalise your look without breaking the bank.
1. Add some new colours to your make-up bag
When applying make-up early in the morning, it can be easy to just reach for the same old cosmetics every time. After all, who has the time to experiment with eyeliner before work? What this means though, is that we tend to find two or three colours of eyeshadow or lipstick that we know suit us, and never branch out from these.
Luckily, this is easy to fix! A quick browse online can give you some great suggestions of what shades are best suited to your skin tone, eye colour and hair colour. So, next time you are out buying make-up in the Great Western Arcade, try a product that’s a little different – in fact, you may well already have a shade or two of eyeshadow in your palette that you’ve never tried.
It might not sound like much, but making this kind of colour change can have a big impact on your overall appearance. This is especially true if you go from not wearing lipstick at all to putting on a bright-red shade, for example. You could also mix up the way you wear your eyeliner, or even add a bit of sparkle – although maybe not for the office!
2. Change the way you style your hair
Our hair says a lot about us and our personality. From the style to the colour, it is often one of the first aspects of our appearance that people notice. Yet, so many people just stick to the same two or three hairstyles every day – which means trying a different look new can be a great way of turning heads. Of course, one option is to go to a salon for a professional (and probably expensive) makeover. Luckily however, this is by no means necessary.
Although having your hair cut in a different style is the most obvious way to make a change, there are plenty of other possibilities at your fingertips. For example, you could try simply changing the way that you wear your hair. If you normally have it up in a ponytail, try leaving it loose, and vice versa; or if you always straighten it, test out a wavy or curly style instead. There are so many video tutorials available online that show you how to do different plaits, buns, ponytails and everything in between, that you’re sure to find a style that you like the look of (and isn’t too challenging!).
Another idea is to try out hair extensions from a company such as hair2love.co.uk, to add volume and length to your style. You could even take a bolder step and dye your hair a new colour – with dye kits designed for use at home, this can be both an inexpensive and effective choice.
3. Refresh your wardrobe
It’s not all about hair and make-up. Our clothes also play a big part in how we look and how other people perceive us. So have a think about the clothes you normally wear and the impression they give. Is it the look you’re going for? If not, what is – and how can you achieve it?
Again, this is an easy area in which to make big changes. If you always wear jeans, try going for a skirt instead. Or if you always wear black, brighten up your outfit with a bold colour or two. Another possibility is trying clothes with patterns or designs instead of plain, block colours.
You might be surprised by how different you feel just from making small changes like this, but the truth is that our clothes can have a big impact on the way we feel. You only have to compare how you feel in a smart suit compared to ripped jeans to see the truth in this! Of course, if you work somewhere with a uniform or a strict dress code you might only be able to mix up your style during evenings and weekends, but there’s no reason that can’t be enough.
4. Accessorise, accessorise, accessorise
Finally, one of the simplest ways to introduce new elements to your style is with accessories. For instance, the addition of a chunky statement necklace can change the whole vibe of an outfit, whilst drop earrings can add a level of sophistication to your look. You might even find that adding rings to your fingers changes the way you move your hands.
Of course, you’re by no means limited to jewellery. Bags and shoes can also be striking additions to an outfit – although admittedly often more expensive to purchase. Towards the cheaper end of the scale, you could look at adding a hair accessory, scarf, hat or belt to your outfit.
Using accessories can also be a great way to breathe new life into your look, even in work situations where you have to adhere to a certain dress code. Plus it’s a very effective way to change up your look when you don’t have the time or a place to change your clothes, for example, when heading out after work for a social event.