Guest Blogger - Reclaim Your Look

How to Reclaim Your Look After a Hard Year

At the risk of making a massive understatement, the last year has been a challenging one. We have all had to make tough decisions about work, socializing, even things as simple as going out to the grocery store. This year has taken a massive amount of mental and emotional bandwidth, and, for many, self-care has fallen to the wayside as a result. 

If this applies to you, it’s perfectly understandable. You’ve had a lot to think about over the last year, and you may not have gone out much, anyway. It’s hard to feel inspired to commit to yourself when you’re stressed and stretched thin. However, now is the perfect time to refresh your look and recommit to self-care. 

Revamp Your Wardrobe

Most of us have a closet full of clothes we’re not really in love with, but hang on to because we’re used to them. These clothes feel safe, but fashion can be your opportunity to take a chance and express yourself - and the risk is well worth it. Up your aesthetic by adding a couple of statement pieces to your wardrobe. 

You should also take this opportunity to replace any items in your wardrobe that don’t fit well or simply aren’t comfortable. You deserve to feel good in your clothes — both in the sense that you like how you look, and that you literally feel good. If your body has changed during the pandemic, you’re far from alone. Trying to soldier on to ill-fitting clothes is a recipe for body anxiety that you don’t deserve. Invest in a well-fitting bra, a luxurious robe, or a new pair of leggings in order to get comfort and style all at once. 

Commit to Skincare 

Getting outside is one of the best things you can do for yourself right now. As the Mayo Clinic explains, it gives you a lower-risk way to connect with friends and family, plus you get the myriad benefits of fresh air and sunlight. However, that sunlight also comes with some risks — commit to mitigating those risks through consistent skincare efforts. 

Be sure to use sunscreen with 30 SPF or higher whenever you’ll be spending more than just a few minutes outside. One of the easiest ways to do this is to invest in a daily moisturizer with SPF. This way, you’ll apply sunscreen regularly out of habit. 

If you do only think of it as you’re about to head out, be sure to turn to a mineral sunscreen rather than a chemical version. Although both are safe and effective, mineral sunscreen works immediately — chemical sunscreens take about thirty minutes to become effective, but it can last longer. For the best of both worlds, pick up a combination sunscreen.

Focus on What You Want 

Finally, the best gift you can give yourself when it comes to reclaiming your look is to embrace the look you want. Many women spend most of their lives working endlessly to fit their look into one specific box, often at the expense of their own happiness. Take some time to think about the beauty and fashion choices you’re making and as yourself: Is this for me? 

If there is any silver lining to the last year, it’s that it has sparked a collective priorities reassessment. We have all been forced to take a look at what really matters, and hopefully inspired to leave behind the things that don’t. Give yourself permission to pursue the fashions and aesthetics that make you feel happy and good about yourself, even if they don’t fit perfectly into that little box we talked about above. You deserve to express yourself with full honesty and joy - we hope this article helps you to do just that. 

Derek Goodman of Inbizability.

Photo Credit: Unsplash