Will my makeover, takeover? WEEK TWO
This is week two of a four-week experiment to understand if, by feeling more polished and groomed, I will feel better about myself. Will people pick up on this? Will they treat me differently? And, if they do, is it because of the way I look or because of the way I feel? Will I get “addicted” to this feeling? Will the makeover, takeover?
Week Two built on Week One, with the focus shifted more onto what I wore. Last week, as you may recall, something clicked into place: I realised that I felt better wearing what I really like and feel comfortable in, as opposed to what I think I should like based on my past and what I see around me.
For example, this week I was based at the law courts (reporting from there). In the past, when I was a court reporter in my 20s, I’d wear dresses and heels - some very high heels. So, I thought I should apply the same formula. Only that now I’m in my 40s. And even though the heels I own are now lower, I still felt like I was wearing instruments of torture by the end of the day. That walk back to the car park – ouch.
So for the rest of the week, I went for more comfortable options – lower box-heeled booties. I combined them with my favourite knitted dresses which I accessorised and combined with smart coats. Here are some examples:
Usually, both the accessories and the coats would come out when I go somewhere fancy (a very rare occurrence nowadays, when my most common outings are playdates and kids' birthday parties).
This week I, again, also swapped my specs for contact lenses – which resulted in my daughter asking me when I will have my normal face back. In all honesty, I get what she means. Because even I’m so used to me with specs. Maybe this will change by the end of this experiment.
Never-ending maintenance
What also started happening this week was – regrowth. Two weeks after my first nail appointment, I had to book another appointment. (Just like the previous one, finding a time slot meant endless messages with the very patient nail technician who, like me, works mornings only because she has a young child. Our working hours clash).
We finally booked a slot for Friday morning. This time I opted for a bolder colour. A deep, wine red which is the colour I would usually use when I want to feel ‘special’ and apply my own nail polish. Only that, when I do it, it chips the second I wash a dish.
“At the end of week two, I’m rediscovering my good clothes and enjoying my dark nails. But also, deep down, I’m dreading the time when the nails will start growing out and I will have to fit in another appointment.”
I must admit that I’m loving the colour (which was also suggested by some of you lovely readers - and got my daughter's smile of approval). I like the feel of having these dark nails. Can’t really explain it but, unlike the more neutral colour I picked last time, this time I’m feeling that ‘pop’.
But apart from the nails, the hair also grew. Next week it’s time to dye the roots again.
It’s never-ending!
Week two: The verdict
Am I feeling better about myself? I guess I am in the sense that I feel more ‘put together’. What’s also making a difference is that I am enjoying my favourite things - clothes and accessories I love, but that have been relegated to my wardrobe for way too long.
Getting ready in the morning is taking longer than the usual five minutes, as I am making more of an effort with the eye makeup now that I am wearing contacts more often.
“This little experiment is forcing me to carve out more pockets of ‘me’ time. And they are not bad at all.”
I also noticed that some people around me are feeling the ripple effect of my little experiment. One friend, who never really wears makeup, said she put some on to see how she feels. Another told me she dyed her hair a colour she had been wanting to try out for a long time.
So, bottom line is that, at the end of week two – I’m rediscovering my good clothes and enjoying my dark nails. But also, deep down, I’m dreading the time when the nails will start growing out and I will have to fit in another appointment. I must admit, I don’t like having to depend on someone to remove nail polish.
Oh. And there is also one thing I’m really enjoying - possibly more than the actual ‘grooming’. This is the time for myself. This little experiment is forcing me to carve out more pockets of me time. And they are not bad at all.