Get a Makeover: An Argument for Switching It Up, Stat

Tai's life is about to change forever, thanks to a lip brush, a pair of scissors, and the help of two very glamour-conscious (and mature) 15-year-olds.

It’s the inside that counts, but what’s on the outside can really add up

Towards the end of the classic mid-nineties film Clueless, makeover maven Cher Horowitz, comes to a realization: “I decided I needed a complete makeover, except this time I’d makeover my soul.” The supposedly shallowest girl at Bronson Alcott High School becoming a selfless do-gooder who’s not thinking about looks first? It’s a turnaround for her; indeed, according to best friend Dionne, “Cher’s main thrill in life is a makeover, okay? It gives her a sense of control in a world full of chaos.” But Cher isn’t exactly off the mark when upon meeting grungy new girl Tai, her first instinct is to change her life by dyeing her hair, hacking her polo shirts into crop tops, and teaching her how to use a lip brush.  Sure, if you’re vapid and purposeless at your core, no physical alteration can help you. But, silly as it sounds, taking yourself out of your aesthetic comfort zone can have a major impact on your life and even your soul.

People – and let’s be honest, women especially – love a makeover. Clueless isn’t the only flick to produce a famed and much-adored character revamp. In Working Girl, Tess upgrades her sinful bod by ditching her teased-out mullet. “If you want to be taken seriously,” she deadpans, “you need to have serious hair.” The Plastics take Lindsay Lohan’s Mean Girls character from fresh-faced tomboy to red-blooded vixen in a hot minute – and her whole life is turned upside-down. She’s All That proves apparently all it takes is a pair of contact lenses to make a dorky girl wholly desirable. When Andy of The Devil Wears Prada trades her argyle and cable-knits for over-the-knee boots and Chanel, she gains the respect of her boss, envy of her coworkers, and attention of her boyfriend. Grease sends the message that goody-goodies have less fun, and a dangling cigarette to go with your cigarette-leg pants gets you the guy (and multiplying chills right along with him). What do these makeovers have in common, aside from encouraging us to take life at face value? They are instantly noticeable and by no means half-assed.

As we approach the unofficial end of summer (which I vehemently disagree with, by the way, as temperatures are still comfortably reclined in the mid-80s and the season isn’t technically deceased until September 21st), everyone has fresh starts, new wardrobes, and reinvigorated modes of high productivity on their minds. It’s only natural to desire a new cashmere sweater as the weather takes a tepid turn or turn your sun-streaked highlights down to a deeper hue. Let’s take the notion a step further. Do something outrageous.

I can't take credit for this advice. Lifestyle guru Caroline Myss urges, “Buy an outfit that’s totally outrageous to your normal color schemes. If you’re conservative, don’t be. Do something.” It’s not for attention, at least it shouldn’t be, and it’s not for shock value. A change on the outside reflects a revision on the inside; that we know. But what may come as a surprise is the fact that this outer evolution can, and will, produce a domino effect, creating a shift in your energy currents and in turn, your archetypes and your very existence. Sound crazy-deep? That’s because it is! There is potency and power in the makeover. Why do you think so many women go ahead and lop off their locks in moments of crises? They are either running away from a tired, old identity or charging full-steam ahead towards a brand-new one.

I’ve always been a fan of inviting and embracing “new looks” into my personal repertoire. While I’m not dyeing my hair a different color every other week, a la Nicole Richie, I’ve unconsciously coordinated the ever-shifting phases of my life with my outfits. And I’ve never cared how shallow or stupid it sounds. At 16-years-old, like every other teenager except for Malala Yousafzai, I was fumbling for control, so I dressed like a rich, Upper East Side 30-something, wearing fur, tweed, and – I can’t believe I’m admitting this – kitten-heel mules. Two years later, inspired by a delayed viewing of Boogie Nights, I’d decided I was going to have a “super-‘70s summer” and careened around the city on roller skates, with terrycloth hot pants, tube tops, a high ponytail, and soon enough, plenty of trouble to match.  By college, a pair of thigh-high Gucci boots (from Tom Ford’s final collection for the brand, thank you very much) had changed my life. I was grown! At 24, haphazard bleached-out streaks in my dark brown hair, oversized men’s T-shirts, and jangly, pierced Alexander Wang platforms indicated the attitude of a freewheeling drug enthusiast. Needless to say, plenty of late nights, mysterious male buddies, and an accidental run-in with crystal meth accompanied the look. No coincidence I was simultaneously working a day job as a grant writer for Michael Bloomberg, attempting to convince colleagues I was responsible in A.P.C. shift dresses or severe black trousers. My daily outfit change was my method of swapping out my frame of mind. I’ll admit it worked a little too well.

These days, I vacillate between dressing like a bouncy, health-conscious gym bunny (respect your body, clear your mind, you know?), a respectable human being (for when I need to be a respectable human being), and a sexed-up, pre-adolescent street rat who’s made off with her parents’ credit cards (I want to have fun, goddammit). Maybe that’s why I have more friends from more varied walks of life than ever. I like to wear things I find amusing, comical, and yes, outrageous. Sailor caps or lace cat ears, anyone? White moon sneakers possibly yanked right off Baby Spice’s feet? What about a garter skirt or boys’ camouflage cargo shorts or a ruffled pirate top or an American flag-print bikini out of a 1980s beer commercial? If this stuff sounds hideous, then all the better! I don’t care. It puts a smile on my mug.

Turns out I’ve been onto something all along, not to brag or anything. Girls always say, “I could never wear something as crazy as you.” I say, “Why not? Life is too short to not wear whatever you want.” To proclaim, via your look, that you don’t give a crap what anyone thinks about you is liberating. Wearing something unexpected is exciting. We have such little control over so many aspects of our lives, to take unapologetic ownership over your style amounts to instant autonomy, as well as a possible new experience or relationship. You are defining your persona, and that persona can be controlled and traded as you see fit. By that same token, it’s the Saboteur archetype lurking within that stops us from taking these bold, little measures. Caroline Myss explains the Saboteur is a “very controlling energy that prevents you from trying anything new.” This archetype says, “No, no, no!” to the outrageous new idea we have for ourselves. Fearing change is natural, but instead of putting off ‘til tomorrow what ought to be done today and attempting to slow the speed of change to a lazy, languid crawl, we should pick up the pace and embrace the next big thing. Even if that next big thing is nothing but a box of unlikely hair dye or a daring red cocktail dress. Go for it.