Is Your Makeover Working for You?

If you've gotten into a rut over the years by focusing on everyone and everything other than yourself, a makeover might be just what you need in order to feel rejuvenated. For many women, a makeover is about more than just a new physical look - it's about taking a positive new outlook on life. And oftentimes, a great makeover can help provide you with the psychological fuel that you need to make other positive changes in your life as well.

Makeovers are exciting, but they can also be scary. You may wonder if your new look is really going to be better, or a little over the top. Unfortunately, even when you've done your homework and developed a set of blueprints for how you want to look and feel after your makeover, the end result may not be quite what you had hoped for!

The following are a few clues to help you determine whether your makeover is working or not working for you.

Working: You look like a new and improved you.

Not Working: You are barely recognizable to those who know you.

If you look like an upgraded version of yourself after a makeover, then that makeover is working for you! In fact, no one may be able to tell exactly what has changed about you - they only know that you look better. A makeover should highlight your physical attributes, not make you look like an entirely different person. If you are barely recognizable to your husband, kids and even the family dog, then you have probably overdone it.

Working: You walk with a new air of confidence.

Not Working: Your look feels very unnatural to you.

A quality makeover can be a great confidence booster. Even if you had a healthy dose of self-esteem to begin with, there is something about a good makeover that causes one to walk with a little more pep in their step. A makeover that isn't working, however, will cause you to feel less secure about how you look. You may be startled or feel a bit strange every time you look in the mirror, or you may find yourself constantly seeking validation from others.

Working: Your new look is easy to maintain.

Not Working: Keeping your new look up is too costly and time consuming.

A makeover that is working for you is one that you can keep up without having to dedicate a significant amount of time each day to your appearance or spend a ridiculous sum of money. If you were once punctual but are now late for appointments and special events because of the prep time involved, then your makeover may be too elaborate for your lifestyle.

When It's Not Working

If your new look is not working for you, it's certainly not the end of the world! The first thing you want to do is determine whether the look is all wrong or if there are merely certain parts that aren't working for you. For example, your new hairstyle might look fabulous on you, but your makeup is unflattering and makes you look artificial. There's no sense in redoing your entire look if only a few things need to be modified!

When You Like it - But They Don't!

You may love your look, but perhaps your significant other, children or coworkers do not. The biggest mistake that you can make here is to run back to the hairdresser or return all of the clothes that you just bought because the people in your life aren't reacting the way that you'd hoped. Sometimes people just need to get used to the new and improved you. They may secretly fear that just because you have made a few changes to your appearance, the other qualities that they love about you will change as well.

If you truly feel good about your makeover, then that positive energy will radiate from within. Anyone who genuinely has your best interest at heart will appreciate your positive energy and feel happy for you. And anyone who does not is not worth worrying about.