Look Good, Feel Good

Like many of you, over the past month, I’ve left my house only a handful of times - primarily to go to the grocery store, usually wearing a bandana or ski mask around my face, my glasses, hair in a ponytail or messy bun, and what I like to refer to as my “day pajamas.” I’ve been working from home for the past four weeks and although we have a lot of video conference meetings, I haven’t really put any effort into my appearance.

My morning routine used to be such an important, meaningful time for me. I used to pack so much into the hours of 5:30 and 7 am that significantly enhanced my day and helped me get started on a path of feeling good.

My B.C. (Before Corona) Morning Routine:

Wake up around 5:30 am, get dressed, put on makeup, match my jewelry to my outfit, change my outfit, do my hair, mediate, head to the office, listen to an interesting podcast or Audible book, get to the office between 6:30 and 7 am, crush the day

My Quar-routine:

Wake up around 7, put on leggings and a t-shirt (usually other than what I slept in), meditate, start working from home

Without realizing it, I have stripped away so many things that helped set me on a path of success each day, largely because I felt good about how I looked and how I chose to present myself to the world.

This look good, feel good trend has been going on long before I entered the workforce. Since I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with makeup and its ability to practically paint confidence across one’s face. When I was about 10 years old, I remember visiting my older cousins (all at least a decade older than me) and giving them makeovers, most of which said I did a better job than they did themselves. When I was in 6th grade, I used to sneak eyeliner in my backpack to put it on before school started since I was told I was too young to wear makeup by my parents. Growing up a camp kid, I was the only camper who would put on a full face of makeup before leaving my cabin each day regardless of how ridiculous people told me I was to want to wear makeup at camp.

Putting on makeup, doing my hair, choosing what jewelry goes best with my thoughtfully chosen outfit - these were always some of my favorite parts of my morning, maybe even highlights of my day. These activities make me feel good on the inside because it shows I care about how I look on the outside. These acts help me feel confident when entering a room or when I glance in the mirror after diligently washing my hands for at least 20 seconds. It’s never been about putting makeup on for other people, it’s always been about how it makes me feel. And “getting ready” is just fun! It’s about asking yourself, “How do I feel today and how do I translate that into my overall look?”

And since being in quarantine, I’ve abandoned that part of my life and have, in turn, begun to feel as blah as I’ve chosen to look.

I’ve always said that I never feel as good as the moment I walk out of the salon. Checking myself in the mirror, doing a double-take as I’m wowed by how beautiful I look makes me feel oh so good! While many people think the beauty industry is about outward appearance, I know it is all about inner confidence. As beauty professionals, you help bring out our inner beauty (that was there all along) and remind us that we deserve to feel good. You remind us how good it feels to look good!

(@babybackribblet)

During this time, not only is it important to remember to do things that help you feel good - like putting on some makeup in the morning, wearing a nice outfit or adding some sparkle with a necklace or fun pair of earrings - but we also need to remember to do things we love, if only for ourselves. We need to find new ways to light ourselves up and have things to look forward to, even if it’s just putting on a bright red lipstick for no one else to see but you. During this time of solitude, we have the gift of doing things purely for ourselves. The pressure is off to please others right now. You have the choice to handle this situation however makes you feel best, and sometimes it just takes a little looking good to help you feel better.

No matter what the activity is - whether it’s putting on makeup or wearing a fun flowy dress to go nowhere - putting effort into yourself will remind you that you are worth fighting for. It will also inspire you to put yourself out into the world more - whether it’s through FaceTiming a client to help them do an at-home root touch up, or going Live on your Instagram for the first time. Right now the world needs more people to inspire us that it’s worth it to keep life moving, even when we aren’t. We must adapt. It’s how human beings have evolved for millions of years - by finding ways to make the best out of an unfortunate, unforeseeable, incomprehensible situation, and it might just take a little looking good to help you feel good enough to get there.