Self-esteem needs the right make-up

Self-esteem skyrockets immediately you receive a compliment on how good you look! That is, when you acknowledge the compliment and don’t just dismiss it.

Many of us in the past dismissed a self-esteem boosting compliment because we didn’t know if the person was just being ‘nice’. When you know you are applying and wearing the make-up and clothes that suit you, you will know why compliments come thick and fast.

What make-up will help boost your self-esteem?

It's our faces we communicate with and these are what people notice first, so wearing correct make-up colours that suit our skin colouring and that compliment the clothes we wear is a vital ingredient to looking good.

You may have seen the television show “How to Look Good Naked”. It was a show about boosting self-confidence and self-esteem in women who hated how they look. The final photo each had taken was of them naked. However, the vital ingredient was always a beautifully made-up face and hair style! That's how important good make-up was for their self-esteem.

What style is best for your self-esteem?

The definition of style is making fashion work for you. That doesn’t mean wearing the latest fashion trends in make-up and clothing just because they are ‘IN’. Instead, ask yourself, "Is it going to look good on me?".

However, be mindful of what is current, and alter your look accordingly, but only within the framework of what suits you.

If you are blonde and blue eyed, wearing dark plum or bright cherry-red lipstick just because it is in fashion won't necessarily work. All people would see are your lips, and your face five paces behind.

On the other hand being a brunette with rich brown eyes, and wearing a frosty pale pink gloss, dismisses half the face. You may look better with a stronger lip colour to balance and bring attention to your eyes.

Wearing over-the-top bright lipstick, bright blush and coloured eye make-up is fine, if you are applying for a position as a clown! This isn't likely to be good for your self-esteem though.

If wearing bright colours, concentrate on one area only, either the eyes or the lips; avoid both.

Make-up should enhance you not mask you. It should help you feel good and build your self-esteem.

To help your self-esteem, know the colours that suit you.

I remember a while back a client came for a colour analysis session and said "NO! I am not wearing make-up, my husband can't stand it!" I persuaded her to let me show her what suited her. Surprisingly, she wore it home and has worn it every day since, as she loved her new found self-confidence and self-esteem.

What's more her husband never commented or objected to her new make-up. Why? Because previously she had worn bright fuschia pink lipstick and blush. It may have been fashionable at the time, but it didn't suit her as she looked best in soft pink/brown lipsticks, and medium muted soft colours. No wonder her husband carried on about her wearing make-up.

What make-up is not good for my self-esteem?

Be aware, the main fashion colours for 2010 are burgundy and plum. These are dark colours, so you may look slimmer, however, most women will have to buy a new lipstick to match, and for 80% of those purchasing it, it will be a mistake.

In fact, it will be an expensive mistake, if you add up the cost of the outfit you changed your lipstick for. I guarantee there will be oodles of burgundy clothes in the recycled stores and charity shops the following year, as burgundy is a colour that suits only about 20% of the population.

Why would you buy an outfit in a colour that detracts from your self-confidence and self-esteem?

If you do get a compliment it will be most likely for the burgundy outfit, not for how good you are looking. This isn't the best for your self-esteem.

Some women will say to me, "I never wear burgundy lipstick, I just wear the outfit and no lipstick". These women are doing themselves and their self-esteem a disservice by not presenting a polished put together look. If this is you, then don’t buy burgundy or plum unless you know it is YOUR colour. Don’t sabotage your look and self-esteem.

Receiving a compliment about how good you look is the quickest and easiest way to increase self-esteem. The right make-up will help you achieve it.

Written by Margaret Fort.  Image Consultant.

Visit Margaret's website "Image Update".

Look out for her new book when it is published: "How to have a champagne style on a beer budget".

PS: From Confident Woman's editor: Have you received your FREE E-book from Confident Woman yet? It is "How to look good without cosmetic surgery". Obtain your free copy now and receive regular news updates on self-confidence and self-esteem for women.

Copyright Margaret Fort, 2010.

NB: This article is for your information only and does not constitute individual advice. Please seek the personal advice you need.