Let's be honest. Who believes it is against human nature to act on vanity? I am not talking about hair and nails either. Vanity, believe it or not, runs skin deep. Different people operate on different levels and express it in different ways.
Taking pride in how we express ourselves is not a crime, it is an outlet. There is always going to be a vanity scale and within that scale lies one extreme to another. I feel it is apart of my job within the beauty industry to help people find a balance. I have seen the positive impact first hand that people experience when finding such a balance.
Finding the confidence in a natural look after years of maiming hair with an iron is extremely common. It is also a task in itself convincing people that they do not need it. Like anything the power of styling tools should not be abused because it can become a vicious circle.
My other example sits on the other end of the spectrum. You think that by avoiding vanity all together it will completely pass you by. Whether you are a single working mum/dad, Eco warrior or Carer, sometimes taking time out of a busy schedule to attend to your own needs is necessary. Contributing to your own happiness impacts not only yourself, but those around you. I have witnessed the positive impact that taking time to attend to one's vanity can have on people. Be it increased confidence in taking on job interviews to meeting future partners in social situations.
Let me end this blog with a personal story. It's not about any previous clients I have had, in fact it is about my dog. Have you ever noticed how animals take pride in their appearance? I certainly did with Sooty, our black miniature poodle. Every time he had his hair cut he knew. He would strut around the house, tail wagging and tongue out. Now before your imagination runs away with you I can assure you Sooty's six week hair cuts were straight forward and simple. So straight forward and simple in fact my father believed he could skimp out on the dog's hairdressing bills. So on investing in a pair of dog grooming clippers he took them upon this poor animal. I will just make a note to those unaware, my father shaves what little hair he has. Needless to say, aside from the trauma Sooty tolerated in this experience he then had to live it out with patches of uneven hair and the worst haircut you have ever seen. Sooty kept his tail between his legs for the next six weeks and my Father never cut his hair again.
To conclude, vanity is an animal instinct, we should not feel ashamed if we want to spend time in the mirror. It is also important to understand that we shouldn't over indulge ourselves and consequently become lost in societies or our own false expectations. The positives, however, on finding a healthy balance within our own lives can be both rewarding and life changing. Personally, I'm still trying.
