14 Easy Ways to Switch Up Your Look

by - March 05, 2016




photo credit: André-Batista via photopin cc

Feeling stuck in a rut with your look? It happens to most of use from time to time, and it can be hard to find a way to switch things up. Here are some budget-friendly tips and tricks to give yourself an easy makeover at home. 


Hair


Change Your Part

Most of us don't switch are part often and start to become familiar with seeing it parted one way. Switching your part can bring attention to the "better side" of your face and create a totally new look (especially if you switch from a side part to the center or vice versa). It's one of the fastest, easiest ways to make a difference in your appearance and you won't be bombarded with questions like "did you dye your hair blue?" or "when did you start wearing glasses?". I don't know about you guys, but I don't personally like having to explain "what changed" or "why i did that" every time I switch up my look.


Tease

One of the easiest ways to get big, voluminous hair if your's is thin and flat is to grab a teasing comb and backcomb near the roots. You can spray the teased area with hairspray to secure it, depending on how long you want it to stay teased. 


Re-Texturize

If your hair is curly, straighten it. If it's straight, curl it! Other than cut and color, this is probably the most dramatic way to change your hair, and it's completely temporary (unless you get a perm)! Don't do this everyday, because you'll end up with serious damage, but it's a fun way to make a change every once in a while.


Highlights or Subtle Ombre

An obvious way to make a big difference is to change your hair color. but to save it from a little bit of damage and make a more subtle change is to do highlights or ombre. Ombre was really popular a few years ago, and it's still popular now, but for a trendier look, try using less contrasting shades for a more subtle look. Highlights are always in, but unless you're comfortable enough to do it yourself, invest in a good stylist. It can be tempting to go for a student stylist or get them done at a cheap salon, but that could really work against you when you end up with a head full of what looks like tiger stripes. 


Braids,  Ponytails, Half-Up/Half-Down

Do you always wear your hair down? In a ponytail? In a topknot? Try something new! There are so many awesome tutorials you can find for braided styles, half-up/half-down 'dos (which are very in-style right now), or poofs with bobby pins and clips. Spend a few minutes or an hour trying out new styles to find one that works for you. Keep the style in mind when you're getting ready in the morning to inspire the rest of your look. 


Get it Cut

Time and time again I make the mistake of going months without a trim in the hopes of getting long Kardashian-like hair. I'm always shocked at how much better my hair looks after even the slightest trim, and you can do it without cutting off half the length of your hair. You could also go for a dramatic cut or try out bangs, but even just a trim can make a world of a difference.


Give it New Life

Try some hair masks or new styling tools to give your hair some new life and make it healthier overall. Unless you really do this consistently and do it along with a myriad of other methods to keep your hair healthy, you probably aren't going to see a huge difference in the physical appearance of your hair, but it could look and feel significantly softer and smoother and allow you to grow it longer. 


Makeup


Try Out New Shades

Whether it's your lip color, blush, eyeshadow or even eyeliner, changing the color of your makeup can brighten up your face and flatter your skin tone or eye color in a new way. Experiment with different colors to find out what works best for you, and don't be afraid to try something bold!


Play with Liner

Another way to play with your makeup without having to purchase anything new is to try out new eyeliner looks! Try a cat-eye line, smudge it out or even try graphic liner if you're really willing to experiment.


Go Natural

Maybe not completely natural if you're uncomfortable with that, but simply using a light hand with your makeup when you usually go for a full-coverage look complete with dark lips and a smoky eye can look more natural and effortless. If you are willing to go makeup-free, that could be really beneficial for your skin and give you a chance to show your natural beauty. 

Skin


Get a Tan

Sunless, of course. Self tanner will, obviously, give you a great healthy looking glow, but it can also instantly make you appear slimmer! Some people prefer to keep their porcelain skin well, porcelain, and you definitely shouldn't need a tan to be happy with your appearance, but if you just want a little bronze glow, try out a self tanner and see how you like it!


Exfoliate

This is another tip that isn't going to make any huge immediate difference, but is still important to maintain soft, glowy skin. Try dry brushing before you hop in the shower, as this is said to help with cellulite as well as sloughing off dead skin. Other exfoliation methods are to use a body scrub (try a DIY sugar or coffee scrub if you don't already have one at home) or to use regular body wash with a loofah or natural bath sponge.


DIY Masks

Try some DIY face masks! There are some great DIY eye masks, too, if you suffer from dark circles or puffiness, which I wrote an article about here. Face masks are a quick, easy way to target whatever skin trouble's you have, and you can really have some fun while you're making them and you might be surprised at how effective they can be. 


Whiten Your Teeth

Not exactly a "skin" tip, but I wanted to put it somewhere in here because of how much of a difference it can make for your look. Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, and how white your teeth are is an important part of that! Try some store bought whitening strips or a DIY method (I've found some with baking soda, lemon juice, etc. online and those are definitely worth a shot) as a wallet-friendly way to brighten your smile. 


I hope you found something here that inspired you to switch things up! Makeovers are fun and can really boost your confidence, so have fun with it and find yourself a new look!

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