Whether it’s due to changing seasons, a new job, a breakup, or simply curiosity, refreshing your look can be exciting and transformative. Even the smallest changes can make a big difference in your appearance and help to revamp your everyday look. You can change up your hair part, play with your eye makeup, and alter your clothes in ways that make them look like newly purchased pieces. You certainly don’t need to break the bank in order to reinvent your look, there are dozens of cost effective ways to add new life to your image.
It’s good to change things up every once in a while. It keeps your appearance fresh and updated, and boosts your confidence for the next phase in your life. And with minimal changes that don’t require too much commitment, it’s easy to change your look up anytime you want. Since we mainly want to polish and maximize who we already are, these simple modifications are a perfect way to revamp. Check out 15 ways to reinvent your signature look, without blowing your paycheque.
15 Switch Up Your Hair Part
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Parting your hair differently can make the world of a difference. It may seem like a small thing, but it can completely change your face and give you a whole new look. Deep side parts and middle parts are on the rise for fall, but even just parting your hair on the opposite side than you usually do will update your look, and it costs nothing at all.
14 Accessories
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Instead of going out and purchasing a whole new wardrobe, instead invest in some new accessories – it’s cost effective and can add a new whole vibe to your look, making it seem like you’ve switched up more than just your handbag. Accessories are something you wear everyday, so adding some staples to your wardrobe will undoubtedly enhance look. You can even make them seem more expensive than they are! For example, look for handbags in faux leather, go for brass or gold coloured hardware on your purse instead of silver, or go thrift shopping to find a suede handbag that would cost fortunes in a designer store.
13 Switch Up Your Lipstick Shade
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Switching up your go-to lipstick shade will give your face a fresh new look. Even going from a dark red to a light red can really make your face pop, because it’s something the people around you aren’t use to. If you’re feeling the itch for a bigger change, switch it up and do something in the complete opposite direction. Since it’s fall you can rock deep plums or browns, or if those are your known-for shades, try a light pink or nude hue.
12 New Mani
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Similar to your lipstick shade, if you typically stick to the same colour on your nails, it’s time for a change. Your nail colour can add to and change so much of your look, even though it may seem mundane. If light and bright is your go-to – try out a deep green or burgundy. You can also play with nail art by opting for an ombré or negative space manicure at your next appointment.
11 Glowing Skin
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Glowing skin has become a sign of health and youthfulness. While UV rays can be damaging for the skin, a sunless glow can revamp your appearance. Self-tanner isn’t just appropriate for summer, it’s the cooler months where your skin can start looking tired and dull. A self-tanner can give you the perfect amount of glow, just make sure you don’t go overboard. Don’t use as much as you would in, say, July, but rather try a gradual tanner mixed with a tanner so it looks au natural.
10 Closet Reboot
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Rummaging through your closet and saying goodbye to pieces you don’t wear anymore can do you (and your wardrobe) some good. Getting rid of clothing can be hard, but clearing out your closet will allow you to rediscover classic items and figure out which new staples you need for your wardrobe. If you can’t bring yourself to say goodbye to some of the pieces right away, make a time frame for yourself (around 6 months) and see if you actually wear the pieces at all. If you do, keep them, if you don’t, give them to charity, a younger family member or a clothing swap. Having more space in your closet will also force you to mix and match pieces that you already own, creating a look that feels new.
9 Eye Accents
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Switching up your eye makeup is one of the easiest things you can do to reinvent your look. You can change your eye shadow shades, leave off the eyeliner (or add it on), try a cat eye, layer on (or layer down) your mascara, go bold with your brows – there are so many options. Your eyes are the greatest feature on your face, so playing with different accents will garner some serious attention.
8 Get Bangs
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Bangs are a fresh and easy way to add an updated feel to your signature look. With celebs sporting everything from boho-bangs to heavy side sweeps to straight across fringe, taking the plunge into bang territory has never been so hip.
7 A New Fragrance
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While a new fragrance won’t change your look, it will certainly change how you are perceived. Whether you want to go for something sultry, flirty, or empowering, there are scents that compliment almost every personality. For sultry, go for something with spicy undertones mixed with vanilla; for flirty, a floral tone will do; and for empowering, try something with a sophisticated and luxurious scent such as a mixture with jasmine and sandalwood.
6 Raid Your Parents’ Closet
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Raiding your parents’ closet (with permission, of course) is completely under-rated. Because fashion is so cyclical and trends repeatedly come back into style, you can find so many hidden gems, and the best part? It’s free. Look for high-waisted pants, over-sized sweaters, shirts, jewelry and shoes. The vintage vibe of your parents’ wardrobe pieces will add a whole new element to your style and look.
5 Consider Alteration
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Altering pieces that you already own is a cost-effective way to create a new look. Make a maxi skirt into a midi or mini, make jeans into shorts, change up the buttons of your shirts and cardigans, make a lace underlay for your favourite short dress – the opportunities are endless! If you’re not the DIY type, bring alterations in to a professional. It will still be cheaper than buying new clothes.
4 Play With Colour
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Hair colour, that is. Changing your hair colour can be a big step, but can also totally transform your look for the better. It’s best to get the opinion of a specialist to ensure that the colour you want will work with your skin tone. You can even do tints that don’t last as long, so that you can see if the colour is one that works for you in the long run. Or, you can go for a more subtle change and try out balayage or ombré.
3 Clothing Swap
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Are you getting sick of some of your wardrobe pieces, but know your best friend is obsessed with them? Do you find yourself continually borrowing your friend’s dress that always seems to be sitting in her closet? Get your friends together and do a clothing swap! If you guys have similar styles, a clothing swap will allow you to give tired, but amazing pieces a new home. Even if you don’t have similar styles, there are sure to be pieces that you can work into your wardrobe for a fresh new look.
2 Teeth Whitening Strips
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Whiter teeth will make you look instantly younger, healthier and more attractive. Glistening, white teeth make a big difference in your overall appearance, and with so many at-home options, teeth whitening has become incredibly quick and easy. Your teeth and smile are something that people see on the daily, so pearly whites are something to invest in.
1 Fake A Salon Blowout
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Remember those Velcro curlers your mom (and grandma) used to use? Those are just the styling tools you need to create a homemade blowout. Rather than spending your hard earned cash at a salon, give your hair oomph and volume with minimal effort. If you don’t have rollers laying around your house, invest in the new versions that have an aluminum/ceramic core – they hold the heat longer so your curls will stay.
Sources: Theprospect.net, Huffingtonpost.com, Totalbeauty.com
