A popular fallacy is that changing your look completely or even subtly, takes far more time, effort and money than it’s worth. This is probably the most foolish assumption you can ever make; without change, everything about you can become predictable and boring. Trying new things gives you the spark of freshness that you need to transform your everyday, comfy look into something that makes you look sensational and yet completely yourself.

How do you go about getting the perfect “changed” look without overdoing it? Here’s a guide to changing various aspects of your look, with some great ideas about new things that you could try.

Hair:

This is probably the first thing we think of when we thing about changing our look, and for good reason. Your hair is one of the most important tools in expressing who you are. A great new haircut boosts your confidence and makes a statement in a way that few other things can. Here are some great ideas for changing your hair.

Getting a fab new haircut:

You can get as drastic or as subtle as you like with a brand new haircut. For instance, you could get bangs, and wear them side swept, soft, long and wispy, or short and choppy, depending on which style suits your face shape the most. With haircuts, try to stick with a style that allows your hair to fall naturally into shape, requiring minimal hassle and maintenance.

Dyeing your hair:

Dyeing hair can be a lot more than a traditional one color dye. You can go for streaks, highlights and low lights, or you can simply add a splash of color like a single red strand in your ponytail. Hair color dyes, shampoos, mousses, temporary hairsprays and gels have made it difficult to resist experimenting with your hair color. This can be just the spark you need to set off your brand new look.

Changing your Hairdo:

You can change the way you wear your hair. For instance, you can change the way you part it. A striaght part can be replaced with a zig zag part for a more sporty, daring look. Also, you can change the texture, by using curling, waving or straightening products.  If you have unruly curls that make it difficult to wear your hair loose, get them straightened for a few months for a sleek, neat look.

Getting Hair Extensions:

It’s amazing what a woman can do to her hair these days. Great natural looking hair extensions can be the way to go if you want to completely change your look. Hair extensions are available in the highest quality now, with curly, wavy and straight varieties to suit your needs. Virgin remy hair is the best option, but cheaper alternatives are also available.

Makeup:

While makeup is an everyday necessity, it is also something that you can use to change your look. Wearing it just a little differently from how you usually wear it can do wonders to your appearance, and lend immense freshness to your style. Here are some ways to change your look with makeup:

• Make your eyes appear brighter: For this, you can use cometics like Joey New York Opti-Brite Eye Trios, which are shades incorporating blue botanicals that make your eyes look clearer and whiter.

• Refine your look: Use moisturizers and care intensively for your skin, hair and nails. Polish and manicure your nails well, and use glowing products on your face to make your skin radiant. The subtle changes in your appearance add up to a wonderfully fresh look.

• Change the way you wear makeup: For instance, change your lip colour, your usual way of wearing eye shadow, or incorporate a new blush or sparkling face powder into your makeup routine, enhancing your look.

Accessories:

If you want to look different while staying safe and not getting too drastic, accessories are the way to go. With just the addition of a few great accessories, you can completely change the impression you make, and also feel great about yourself. Here are some ideas:

• Pin some ornaments to your hair: For instance, beads, tortoise shell barrettes, glittery clips, antique-look ornaments, and other trinkets can really set off a great hairstyle. Plus, they can cover up a bad hair day with a lot of style into the bargain!

• Add color: All too often, we tend to stick to a single color or just a limited range of colors, which defines our comfort zone. If you are only comfortable wearing dark shades, complement those with a bright or light colored scarf or jacket; this will make your complexion look different and improved.

• Invest in Jewellery: If you are a casual dresser and ignore jewelry, then adding a few jewels will go a long way in getting the look you want. Wear a simple, elegant set of pearls, a pair of diamond earrings, or, if you want a more hip look, then sport chunky costume jewelry to give yourself a great new look.

With the proliferation of cosmetic companies, designer brands in makeup and perfume, and an increasing desire among women to look and feel beautiful at all times, it is becoming more and more difficult to choose all the right accessories. Here’s a guide to help you choose the perfect materials that will bring out the true fashion diva in you.

Must-Have Makeup:

We’ll talk about make-up in four separate categories, one for each area of your face. In general, there are three things to keep in mind to find the perfect makeup.

•    First, know your skin tone and undertone.  African American complexions have a range of colors; it is imperative that you buy products according to yours.

•    Secondly, enlist the help of a makeup expert or beautician to find your undertone. People with dark complexions usually have bluish undertones, and those with medium complexions have lighter gold undertones. These undertones are important when it comes to using accents, particularly for the eyes.

•    Third, always go for brands that are specifically geared towards women of color. You can look to celebrities in this regard. Go for brands recommended by Afro-American icons such as Tyra Banks, Iman and Oprah.

Foundation:

Finding foundation can be tricky despite the large variety of foundations specifically produced for African American women. In general you should avoid powdery products that can cling unflatteringly to your skin and make it look chalky, uneven and dry.  Here are two that will probably work for you.

•    Fashion model Iman introduced a line of cosmetics, I-man, in 1994 for women of color. It is a wonderfully creamy, easy-to-blend collection. The pressed powder leaves a light, polished finish.
•    Complexion Perfection Cream to Powder Foundation by Black Radiance.

Lips:

The choice of lip color depends on your complexion, but in general, nude lip color suit almost all complexions. Plus, they enhance the natural poutiness of your lips. Here are a few great nude-colored products you can invest in:

•    Cocoa, Rich Cocoa or Putty by Bobbi Brown
•    Loreal Color Juice 804 Touch Of Nude
•    MAC Fresh Brew

You can also go for richer shades if you think nude isn’t really you. A great option is MAC’s Get Rich Quick. This works with almost every complexion. However, it’s a little shimmery for the workplace. Dark complexions usually shy away from classic red, but that can really create a statement if you choose the right shade of red for your complexion. Here are a few very popular reds that can do wonders to your looks:

•    Noir Red by Besame Cosmetics. This is geared towards darker complexions.
•    Tango by Lorac. This is a great shimmer in a brown-red shade.
•    Dubonnet, Underworld, and Viva Glam III by MAC

Eyes:

For best results, highlight your eyes with the color of your skin undertone. Here are some great eye shadow brands you can invest in:

•    Bobbi Brown Ocean Storm Cream Shadow: Great for a blue undertone complexion
•    For medium brown complexions: Purple Haze by Urban Decay

For a more routine, daytime or workplace look, you can choose the following:

•    Stila’s Cosmetics matte eye shadow
•    MAC’s Warm and Cozy Shadestick

Mascara is an absolute necessity for great looking eyes; for more formal occasions, make sure you use eyeliner for a blended, finished look.

Blush:

Make sure you have a good variety of colors that suit your complexion. For dark complexions, go for a mauve dusting over the cheekbones. For lighter golden-brown colors, go for honey and apricot shades. Black Radiance’s Sheer Finish Blush is a great choice for a tidy, glowing look.

You may want to go for Bronzer instead of blush. MAC and Lorac offer great bronzers that give you a very natural glow.

Must-Have Skincare Accessories:

African American women generally have very sensitive skin, prone to oiliness and scarring. Go for skincare products geared towards skin like yours. Here are some great skincare products to keep your skin hydrated, smooth and clean.

•    Hydrator (SPF 15) and Drench are light moisturizers that protect your skin from daytime damage. They are both from the I-man collection.
•    Starting Over by Origins: this is an age-erasing moisturizer, with organic ingredients.
•    CremeWash by MAC: a rich lather to wash off makeup without drying or stressing your skin

Use a scrub and a mask regularly to strip the skin of unwanted, unhealthy residue.

Must-Have Fragrances:

A great fragrance is necessary to give you that complete, sensational feel, and it is important that the fragrance you wear should express who you are. Consider the following great scents:

•    Idole d’Armani by Giorgio Armani: A great floral scent that captures the essence of feminine beauty.
•    J’Adore by Dior: ultra-fruity, floral and very feminine.
•    Brit for women by Burberry: fresh, soothing and warm vanilla scent.
•    Very Hollywood by Michael Kors: Captures a youthful, exuberant, upbeat spirit with an invigorating, icy fragrance.
•    Beautiful by Estee Lauder: Ultimate romance and feminine grace.