Revolutionise your look for the new year

LEAVE all the subtlety behind with 2013 along with those frumpy-looking pajama pants you’ve always reached for because you believe they hide your flaws. This year is the year to go big and bold and to embrace the real you, even if no one else is giving you that nod of approval. When the criticisms start rolling in, just drown them out with what should be your personal mantra going forward, “New year, new me!”

But you can’t just change one thing and expect that wow factor. You have to definitely work on the whole package. We are talking about getting that body in tip-top shape, making space in your closet for some new pieces and soliciting the help of a savvy stylist to transform your lacklustre mane into a work of art. And no, the hairdresser your grandma took you to when you were preparing for your primary school graduation just won’t do. We are talking about connecting with someone who is not averse to using scissors and can actually do a decent colour job.

Here are some of the ways we suggest you embrace that inner you and revolutionise your look for 2014. We really don’t want to tell you what to do — after all, you might have been listening to other people’s opinions for far too long — so we’ll be sure to keep it brief and just offer up some general guidelines for some of the areas you should be focusing on.

1. Your figure. We won’t take it for granted that everyone wants to lose weight. It might just be the other way around, whereby you’ll need to work on developing some curves instead. Either way, there are ways and means of getting you to the size you feel most comfortable with. Start mapping out a running trail, scoping around for a decent gym and connecting with a fitness buddy or fitness coach who shares your values and vision.

Of course, nothing in life worth having will come easy and so if it’s weight loss that you are after, you are going to have to put in the work. Try not to do the same old thing and expect a different result; this year, you will have to be more drastic. We are talking about going cold turkey, if needs be, by completely avoiding anything with sugar, giving up the booze or quitting smoking. Yes we know, what we are suggesting here is not the norm, but the aim of this journey won’t be to fit in with the crowd or to do what has always been considered safe. However, if you think this is far too drastic, which we agree it is, you can decide instead to go vegan and ditch all your favourite meat dishes.

“Although you have some vegans who have on a lot of weight, vegans generally tend to be leaner if they practise a good vegetarian lifestyle,” said nutritionist and fitness expert Donovan Grant who went vegan 24 years ago. And furthermore, he added, “Our body is not totally designed for eating meat as our digestive systems are not so long and meat was designed to come out fast.”

2. Your wardrobe. What you wear says a lot about you. If you want people to see you as the corporate executive that no company would be in their right mind to refuse, you need to dress the part. And don’t start objecting to a fashion make-over on the grounds that you don’t have any funds. Sometimes it’s just a matter of mixing and matching what you already have to pull off the right look. Also, make this year the one where you actually start dressing for your body type. Not all of us can be slim, but it doesn’t mean that you have to look like something the cat dragged in each time you step out your door. Embrace your fluffiness if you have always had an issue doing so, but do it with the right attitude and pizzazz. Image consultant DJ Shaw advised that, “If it is that you want to camouflage your worst assets, the type of clothes and the fit is important”.

One of the essentials for a full-figured woman, he believes, is a shapewear. “They come in every form now, so you can have the dress or the underwear, or whatever design you want.”

3. Your skin care. If you haven’t been doing so, you need to start taking better care of your skin. It might cost you a bit, but make some arrangements with a dermatologist to do a skin analysis so you can know exactly where you stand. After all, it makes no sense trying to come with a new look for 2014 and carrying over that dry, dehydrated skin that’s making you look 10 years older. Change out your cotton pillowcases to silk and satin, invest in a one-litre bottle to store your water, and make the removal of your make-up an essential part of your bed-time routine. “Make-up generally can cause blockage of the pores and when the pores are blocked, that causes pimples, and pimples can actually cause acne,” anti-ageing physician Dr Sandra Knight noted. “If your pores are blocked, you can have unevenness of the skin, and if you have unevenness of the skin then the skin can look dull.”

Also try to get more sleep, have more fun and never forget to apply your sunscreen.

4. Your hair. Just changing up your hairstyle can make a big difference in how you look and feel. You can add colours or length or take away length to make an impact. If you have always toyed with the idea of giving up the chemicals and embracing your natural roots, this year would be a good year to make the switch. It might take you a bit out of your element at first, but eventually you will find something that works for you while you transition. Doing the big chop is also a great way to make a statement and really make you stand out from the crowd. Whatever you choose to do, make sure it’s something that makes you feel comfortable and at ease.