Changing Faces or Changing Lives?

Sunflowers make me happy. This post is about being happy. Hence the sunflowers. :)

This is an issue that I think is essential to address. Props to you for reading this, I think there are some important clarifications and opinions mentioned throughout. Enjoy. :)

Many people feel antagonistic about changing their hair color, or wearing makeup, or going into the beauty industry because it's "fake", "vain", and is just about being something that you're not. I won't deny that there is a good chunk of people and parts of the industry that can be just as artificial and seemingly self-consumed as the stereotype denotes them to be.

But to us, it's not about covering up your face to become some Vogue beauty; it's about accentuating the beautiful features and qualities the person already has. It's not about looking perfect; it's about becoming confident.

I was in a pageant last year shortly before I started hair school, and was asked a difficult question about this. My platform was titled "You Are Priceless", and focused on girls discovering and learning to love their inner worth without the false visions of worldly beauty defining them. In my interview, one of the judges asked me: "How is it that your platform is about not needing worldly beauty, but you're going into the very industry that promotes it?"

Tough question, right? My answer was basically this: "Every woman needs to find and love her inner beauty, and through that find confidence. Learning to like themselves in the mirror can be an important step through the door towards loving who they are on the inside, as a person. They start to think, even subconsciously, that if they can like themselves on the outside, then maybe they can like themselves on the inside, too. I simply help them look like the best 'them' they can be, so they can start to feel like the best them they can be."

What greater satisfaction is there than to make someone feel loved? Feel beautiful? Feel like maybe they can begin to like or even love themselves in a healthy way? Everyone likes to look good, because it makes them feel good. Sometimes in a narcissistic, worldy way, yes. But most importantly, it makes people feel worth something. Important.

A woman wearing a simple matching blouse and capris, with her makeup done and hair neatly styled, feels put together and organized and happier than before. A certain color of lipstick can give her the confidence she needs to take on the day. A certain eyeliner shape can show off the exceptional stunning beauty of her eye color. 

It's artistic. It's confidence building. It develops friendships and relationships. It's about self-esteem. It's about realizing self worth. It's about loving who you are. It's about loving other people. 

That's why I'm a cosmetologist.