Why Beauty & Fashion Is So Important
Running a blog that has a heavy fashion & beauty element to it you might know that I have a soft spot for the subjects already but lately I've realised just how important they are to me. They're often perceived as silly topics that are all about consumerism, vanity and being a little bit self-absorbed but I truly believe people get them all wrong. And as my relationship with the two things have changed so much over the past few years I thought it would be the perfect time to write this post and explain why I love them oh so much.
it doesn't mean you're not a believer of equal rights
Way too often I see people stating that if you're a lover of frivolous things like fashion and beauty [as much as I love them I can't say that they're of the utmost importance in comparison to other things] you can't be a believer in equal rights which of course is utter rubbish. Just because you might care about what the latest release from Charlotte Tilbury is doesn't mean to cannot be interested and fight for equal rights also. And don't let anybody tell you any different!
if it's important to you it doesn't matter what other people think
We live in a world where people absolutely love to share their opinions which isn't always a bad thing. After all, this blog and the blogging world wouldn't exist without opinions but it's very easy to get carried when sharing your thoughts and I'm no stranger to this. When you think you're right then you can get a little bullheaded. But when something is important to you then we tend to get a little protective of it but it's so vital to remember that our opinion isn't fact but neither is anybody else's. If you think beauty and fashion are really, really important then that's awesome just the same way as some are incredibly passionate about volleyball. More often than not people just want to know why it is so important to that person to help them understand it from a different viewpoint. So many people have absolutely no interest in beauty and fashion and then they are fed a stereotypical viewpoint that if anybody else is then that must mean they're dumb and only care about the way they look which obviously is not true. Ultimately if somebody thinks it's really silly to care about foundation and striped tops then that's on them and never on you.
it can be life changing
When I discovered the world of beauty blogging it changed my life. Of course, it has since become my job but in the beginning, it gave me such a boost in confidence. Especially because at the time of rebranding this blog my skin was going through an absolutely awful patch and I was covered in cystic acne. Knowing that there were so many more products out there that could help my skin not only heal but what I could to cover it up too was life-changing. And then again in 2013 when I spent the year in and out of the hospital. When I would feel up to it then I would apply my favourite products and put on clothes that made me feel awesome when I felt so, so horrific. There have been so many points in my life where I've found myself really reliant on beauty to make me feel like myself and that is no longer the case. The products that I apply and the clothes that I wear don't define me as a person but they are such a big part of who I am and I don't think that is a negative thing at all.
it doesn't have to involve spending money
Something that I still find myself falling into the trap of is thinking that to feel part of the beauty and fashion world means that I have to spend money and constantly be on trend and that isn't the case at all. Having a passion for fashion and beauty can be down to the smallest thing like taking care of your eyebrows and wearing your favourite top or it can be applying a full face of glam and it's just down to what works for you. For me it's getting changed out of my sweatpants or dog walks clothes in favour for a pretty dress. Easy things that we take for granted that can make the world of difference.
it doesn't have to complete you
I didn't always have the happy relationship with fashion and beauty that I have now. Before I wouldn't leave the house unless I had a full face of makeup on and my sweatpants never saw the light of day. I didn't feel complete, I never felt like myself without beauty and fashion which isn't the healthiest mindset to have. And it's not easy to feel super confident and like you can take on the world without maybe a bit of concealer but having that happy relationship with how you look is so important and something that takes time but it is well worth it. Now I can step out bare-faced and regularly go out in my sweats because I'm still me. I'm still a functioning human but on that day I just can't be bothered to do anything with my appearance. I no longer apologise for looking a little disheveled because it really shouldn't matter to anybody else how I look because I can still show up and give the world 100% whether or not I'm wearing a full face of foundation or my most loved midi dress.
and how it makes me feel
One of the biggest things that inspired this post was that I conducted a little study over a week of how I felt when I got dressed and put on a full face of makeup on compared to how I felt when I didn't and here is what I found;
BARE FACED & COMFY CLOTHES
- Still myself just not as polished.
- Comfy, content and relaxed.
- More in the mood to get housework done rather than actual work.
- Tired.
- Happy that I could rub at my eyes and not disturb any product.
MAKEUP & BEST CLOTHES
- Productive and ready to take on the day.
- The best version of myself.
- Confident.
- More business minded.
- Slightly uncomfortable at home like I couldn't quite relax.
