You Rule the Beauty Rules

Written By Jenni Ashford

We’ve all been sucked in by the magazine articles and beauty quizzes:

WHICH BANG STYLE IS RIGHT FOR YOUR FACE SHAPE?

30 BEAUTY MUST-DO’S

THE RIGHT LENGTH FOR YOUR AGE: IS IT TIME TO CUT YOUR HAIR?

When did beauty get so complicated and who can keep up? How often have you felt oppressed rather than informed by the beauty rules?

As a stylist, I have had far too many clients tell me that they wish they could wear a certain style but, alas, they can’t. Obviously, we all face certain limitations and see looks that we may not be able to achieve exactly, but whenever I am presented with one of these fun little factoids, I can’t help but ask: “WHO SAYS?!”

Who told you that your face is “too fat” for those bangs? Who said that you “could never go red”? Is it someone or something you really want to give that much authority to?

It’s true, we have to recognize that there are certain things that might be off the table due to time, maintenance, or the extreme measures it would take to get there. There are always plenty of CAN’Ts to choose from. but don’t you want someone in your life who will tell you what you CAN do?

Here are some simple ways I challenge my clients to discover what makes them feel best:

  1. Spend some time identifying your favorite features. We know all too well what we don’t like when we look in the mirror and often our cons list can extend far beyond our pros. When you have a conversation with a beauty professional, feel free to tell them what you don’t want to draw attention to, but make it a point to tell them what you like and want to showcase!

  2. Ask yourself where you heard whatever beauty rule you’re clinging to. If you remember the source, it’s likely one that you trust and has not steered you wrong in the past. If you can’t quite remember where that little tidbit came from, ask a trusted professional (like your stylist or esthetician) to offer their opinion.

  3. It’s ok to play. We will always have some moments we look back on and wonder what we were thinking - they are also usually those moments that make us giggle. People tend to be their most beautiful when they’re smiling. In the end, you’ll probably hope to be remembered for how radiant your smile was over how well your face framing layers highlighted your cheekbones. (Although, we won’t stop you from going for both!)

Here’s the only beauty rule you really need: YOU RULE!

No one knows you better than you, and you were already enough before a single beauty rule was put into print. What lifts you up and makes you feel alive? Is it trying something new, having a strictly regimented skin routine, or just making sure you can get all your hair back into a ponytail so you can go for your morning run? Whatever it is, it’s your world, your rules. We’re just loving living in it!

Jenni Ashford