5 Beauty Mantras That Changed My Life (& Will Change Yours Too)
Image Courtesy: Ellie Amos
In early high school, I began to explore beauty as a hobby. Friends introduced me to a whole new world: artistic expression, makeup products, self-care routines, and getting ready in fancy bathrooms. I’d never realized that beauty involves so much – it had always seemed like a passive thing to me. But I watched as my new friends became excited over eyeliner or lip gloss, the eyeshadow pallet they’d used for years, or the face cream they’d just discovered the day before. These confident, creative friends of mine treated beauty like an extension of their self-expression, and I wanted to join in on this journey. However, I was inexperienced in the beauty field; I had to start from scratch. I wondered: “What does it even mean to explore beauty?”
Image Courtesy: Ellie Amos
Stepping into this world was not seamless for me. Makeup stores overwhelmed me; I had no idea how to enhance my lips or my skin; I’d never tried a unique fashion style before. However, I was determined to keep trying until I found what worked for me. During a process of trial and error, I discovered five tips that can greatly improve your relationship with beauty. I started to implement these tips during my junior year of high school, and I still use them every day. Hopefully, they can help you as much as they helped me!
1. Beauty should accentuate individuality.
In my younger years, I thought two groups of people would always remain divided: those who understood conventional beauty, and those who didn’t. However, my perspective shifted when my friends each showed me their unique beauty tips. Everyone had a different approach to makeup, self-care, and fashion – and I found that remarkable. I realized that everyone is beautiful and can accentuate their individuality. The first step is to choose to explore beauty for yourself; no one else can give you permission for it.
2. Beauty should be a journey of self-expression, rather than a search for external validation.
While growing up, I saw that beauty often is associated with gathering compliments and validation from others. I thought the purpose of makeup and style was for others to have a higher opinion of you. Especially in middle school, I saw girls put on makeup or wear pretty dresses to get boys’ attention, or even just to get praise from friends. For a while, I thought that was beauty’s only purpose – validation.
Unfortunately, that mindset can become very destructive and limiting. But I learned an entirely new approach in high school: beauty can make you happy as you explore your tastes and self-expression. It’s thrilling to discover products, brands, or styles that make you excited. I came to this realization through nights of staying up until 3 a.m., trying out different makeup styles in my bedroom. I learned which eye shadow colors mixed well, how to use highlight, and how to shape my eyebrows. I never showed these looks off on Instagram or at a party – these experiences were just for myself. Through this process, my self-love grew and my relationship with beauty strengthened. Now when I wear makeup in public, I know it’s from a basis of self-expression, and any compliments I receive are secondary.
Image Courtesy: Ellie Amos
3. Feel free to learn and modify looks to fit your personality.
Find out what you like: does an Instagram model have a cool makeup style that you want to try? Does your friend do her hair up in a way you’ve never attempted before? Does a magazine article inspire you to wear a new fashion style? Then, the next step is to discover why you like these new designs. Maybe you like bold colors, classic styles, or retro throwbacks. Once you have learned what you are naturally drawn to, then you can modify your inspiration into designs that fit you.
In high school, I made Pinterest boards with fashion, makeup, and hair trends that I wanted to test out. I never copied my inspiration; for instance, I found myself drawn to e-girl and alternative styles. When I shopped for a new wardrobe, I combined my favorite aspects of the genres to make my look.
4. Fake it ‘til you make it.
I dove into my exploration of beauty with no idea what I was doing. I kept wondering, “How can I gain the confidence and skill for this?” I decided to just emulate what I wished I could do. I would look in the mirror and tell myself that I am gorgeous, worthy, and capable of accomplishing my beauty goals. To my surprise, I soon began to internalize these affirmations. The more I believed I was owning my beauty, the more I exuded individuality and confidence. Now, when people ask me how I achieve my makeup or fashion looks, I think back to the days when I practiced my affirmations. I don’t remember the day that I transitioned from “faking it” to “making it,” because there’s always going to be a bit of both in my life. But I’m grateful that my younger self practiced this method.
Image Courtesy: Ellie Amos
5. Practice, and enjoy your exploration of beauty.
Feel free to experiment until you find what works for you! Try out different products and styles. Cosmetics stores may seem daunting at first, and you may not have any clue which brands work for you – but have fun discovering! Also, allow yourself room to practice. I know that the first time I tried liquid eyeliner, it was incredibly messy and funny-looking. That same night, I tried it three more times until I landed on something acceptable. It’s been three years since that night and I still have to clean up my eyeliner before it looks as sharp as I like, but eventually, I can achieve a great wing. Just like with any art form, practice makes progress; I experimented for years with techniques and brands before I landed on what worked best for me.
Image Courtesy: Ellie Amos
Beauty is a world of exploration that can be wonderfully individualistic and self-expressive. Learn what you like, fake it ‘til you make it, and have fun practicing! Throughout your journey with makeup, self-care, and style, you can build an amazing relationship with your self-expression.
Strike Out,
Writer: Ellie Amos
Editor: Isabel Wilder
Model: Jihyeon Jeon
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