What's in a look?

We all like hearing we look good. Especially when we’ve made an effort. The day that I’m wearing some lipstick or the day I’ve popped those heels on.  Those are the days that I feel great, ready to take over the world.  Or at least get through the day on top of the world. Why do we feel more attractive when wearing make-up?  Is it because of what you saw when you looked at yourself in the mirror? Are we conditioned by compliments to think that you now look good?  Is it society and marketing that has given us the idea that we as women, need make-up?

And when it comes to wearing heels: Why does these uncomfortable slightly dangerous shoes seem to awaken power and beauty in a woman.  I have seen and felt the difference myself.  I see how my subjects’ postures and attitude change when they hop into the heels.  I myself know how invincible I feel when I’m opting for a heel-day.  Is that also society or might there be something more primitive in this change? Does the way your muscles tense make you more alert and more switched on? Or does this slight change in height actually play on you mentally?

Personally, I do not wear heels often or make-up on a daily basis and to be honest I would like to change that a bit.  As a portrait photographer you get to work with a lot of strangers, and I have come to realize that I appreciate it when people make an effort.  When someone has gotten their hair done before a shoot or went to grab an extra jacket at the shop to wear.  I believe that this bit of effort says a lot.

Firstly, in my mind, they’re taking this portrait shoot seriously but more importantly, they took time for themselves and in that sense shows that they value themselves.  Think about it for a second, do you respect a person more when they looked groomed? Do you trust someone more when they are neatly dressed? I can say I do.  But I also want to rebel against the idea of judging a book by its cover and making a person’s appearance part of the analysis.

And although I feel a little guilty by admitting this, I do not think it’s the looks that we’re associating our judgement with, I think it’s behind the look that we respect.  The fact that that person has taken time this morning to make themselves look good.  The fact that they value themselves enough to allow that time to be spent on them.  I respect that.

We do experience extremes some woman spend an hour a day doing there make-up while some spend an hour every two months doing a hair treatment.  I think we should be allowed to spend as much or as little time as you feel comfortable with, and this time should be from a space of self-love and self-care and not develop from insecurities or be guided by societies expectations.  Just be you, and love it.