3 Steps to a Brand New You (2024)

Are you bored with your look? Here are three easy ways to switch up your look.

Let’s face it. Sometimes you get sick of looking at yourself in the mirror and you want to change the way you look.

At least that’s how I feel every now and then. I get bored of my hair or my clothes and the way I do my makeup.

So, I make a few tweaks here and there, and viola: a brand new me. A guy I was dating told me he felt like he had a new girlfriend every time I’d change my hair or my makeup.

If you want to change your look, these are a few simple things you can do to feel brand new.

The easiest way to change your look is to change your hairstyle. 2024 hair trends are: literally anything goes. From the “wolf-cut” that is simply a grown-out version of the shag and the flipped-out 70s haircut that once used to be known as the “Farah” to cute 90s colorful barrettes and funky 00s space buns.

Anything goes if you modernize the style a bit. You can even pull off a bit of the 80s crimped hair (just don’t overdo lest you end up looking like Christina Aguilera circa her Lady Marmalade era).

I especially love the freedom of choice we have when it comes to hair color.

I love changing my hair color seasonally. It gives my hair a break from constantly dyeing it every month and I get a fresh new look as well!

For instance, I gravitate towards copper, red, and honey tones in the fall and as winter approaches, I’d dye my hair scarlet or wine red. (Manic Panic has beautiful red shades, my go-to is their Vampire red).

My winter colors also include purple in ultraviolet, or a deep plum. Brad Mondo has amazing deep purple hues that show up even on dark hair and they are just so rich and vibrant, I love!

I also tend to save dark brown for the colder months. Dark brown or black may not be for everyone but it is a change for sure!

Darker hair looks gorgeous on paler skin tones. My natural hair is raven black, but honestly, it doesn’t work for my skin tone. You want to look like Megan Fox alà Jennifer’s Body, not Elvira. Unless you want to go Goth, and if you do, more power to you. I love it!

Spring is the time for new beginnings and fresh, lighter hair! If I could pull off pastel hair, I totally would but it looks horrible against my tan skin and if I bleach my hair that light, I might never be able to dye my hair again!

If you have light hair, go nuts with pastels! Otherwise honey brown, dark blonde and ombrè tones are a great way to transition from winter darks to a sunny summer look. Green hair is a little to on the nose for spring, so I try not to go there from February to April!

Summer is the time for experimentation! Anything goes. I might get extensions put in so I can have those long, beachy waves every girl secretly craves or just cut it all off and go short.

If your bone structure supports a cute pixie cut, go for it! Or try the mullet! A cute bob! Anything goes!

Colorwise, a nice balayage with browns and blonde. Or babylights look divine shimmering in the sunshine. There are no rules. Go blue, highlighter yellow, or shocking pink. Go platinum blonde if your hair can take it and it doesn’t wash you out. I loved Ryan Ashley’s silver hair on Inkmaster season 8.

If you’re not an adventurous person, start small. Go one shade darker or lighter. If you wear your hair down, try an Ariana Grande-esque high ponytail. Get your hair cut in layers. Invest in a curling iron if your hair lies flat and straight.

Start playing around at a level that makes you feel comfortable and work your way up. You’ll feel brand new in no time.

I’m not going to dwell too long on makeup because you can find a zillion tutorials on TikTok, Instagram, and good old-fashioned YouTube for makeup help.

However, I will tell you that the smallest change in technique and products go a long way.

I grew up in the 00s. So, I had to evolve from rubbing cakey Maybelline mousse foundation all over my face with my bare hands like a savage to blending and contouring with a makeup brush for that airbrushed look. I mean, it made a hell of a difference.

The trick with makeup is find what works for your face and stick with it. You must learn how to do a winged eyeliner. You can’t go wrong with winged liner.

Perfectly applied winged eyeliner, a generous helping of mascara (feathery, not clumpy; I swear by Too-Faced Better than Sex), creme blush, and a complementary lip. Nudes, browns, pinks, and reds. There is no wrong answer. Just make sure the shade goes with your skintone.

Brown eyeshadow is the best for a smokey eye. Don’t mess around with black unless you’re absolutely confident in your eye makeup application ability- otherwise you will end up looking like a raccoon.

Do we still need someone telling us what to wear?

Wear whatever you want!

If you still feel like you’re sartorially challenged, here’s a tip.

Invest in a good pair of jeans that fit you right and suit your body type. Clothes that don’t fit right make you look like you have lumps and bumps in all the wrong places.

Get nicely fitted T-shirts in solid colors. Make sure you have at least 3 tank tops. White, black and grey.

A leather or suede jacket for the winter. A nice sundress for the summer. A pair of boots that call your name the moment you lay eyes on them in the store.

Comfortable, strappy sandals for summer and the first pair of high heels you can stomp down the aisle in without breaking your ankle for when you want to dress nice.

Accessorize as you will. I stick to sunglasses, a handbag, and my smartwatch. I’d throw in a Cartier bracelet if I’m feeling delicate or pair my outfit with an eccentric necklaceorearrings. (Not a statement necklace. The only statement they make is that you left your sense of style back in the '00s).

But hey. At the end of the day, do what makes you happy. The only way you can pull off a look successfully is if you own it and feel comfortable doing it.

Good luck and have fun!