Style Evolution: Why Your Look Should Get Better With Age

Style Evolution

When I was in high school, I put a lot of effort into my style. I always loved fashion and testing new beauty products, so I went all out. I did the whole-nine-yards thing. From hair to make-up, clothes to shoes, every detail was planned and executed to perfect effect. And I got compliments often. I thought I was doing everything right — but man, was that routine hard to maintain. Hours went into my look.
Today, things are different. It takes me less than a half hour to do hair, make-up, clothes, shoes and tie it all together. And I probably get more compliments these days. Why? Because style gets better with age. Your sensibilities and the trust you have in your decisions should improve every single year. If they aren’t, and you don’t feel “better with age,” then you’re doing something wrong.

Do you feel like you spend hours preparing your look for the day, or can’t trust your style decisions? A few ideas for improvement:
Hair: What kind of cut do you have? Maybe it doesn’t suit your face shape, and thus you’re spending time overcompensating, trying to tailor an unsuitable cut to your face shape? It’s hard! Ask your stylist to help, don’t automatically go to the salon with a cut in mind. Look at celebrities who have similar face shapes (like Olivia Wilde’s strong jawline or Reese Witherspoon’s heart-shaped face) and try out similar styles. Hair that suits your face shape should be easy to mold in the morning.
Make-up: Less is more. Where can you cut things from your routine? You don’t need to line your eyes every single day; use an extra coat of mascara to define. Choose a tinted lip balm instead of lipstick for easier application. Add a dollop of liquid foundation to your moisturizer to skip a step. If you’re not finding shortcuts that make things seem effortless, think about your routine. It shouldn’t feel like work!
Clothes: Don’t go by the book. Sure, Marie Claire is a great resource for trends and I love Bazaar‘s breakdown of must-haves each season. But do not use these as how-to guides; just use them as references. As you make decisions based on your gut, and what you like regardless of trends, you’ll become more comfortable finding your exact style. It sounds counter-intuitive, but don’t lay your clothes out the night before if you’re having trouble using your instincts while dressing. It will force you to make quick decisions, throwing together pieces you just plain like. You may make a few mistakes in the beginning, but your instincts will soon become sure — and you’ll have a uniquely-you style.
Has your style become better with age? Happy Fourth of July, friends!