A few years ago, I switched my part and instantly became 25 percent better looking. The decision to make such a major (um, not at all) hairstyle change came after meeting with a company that was promoting a facial symmetry computer program.
The representative took a straight-on photo of me with my hair pulled back, and the program measured and analyzed the contours and ratios of my face. It then spit out a score, which determined that one side of my face is prettier (the left). Sounds like a hoax, right? Stay with me.
The representative then suggested that I switch my part to my left side to show off more of that side of my face. It took a few blow-dry sessions to retrain my hair, but it eventually worked. Then the compliments started coming -- everything from "did you lose weight?" to "were you just on vacation?" I haven't parted my hair on the right side since.
My advice: Forget shelling out 200 bucks for the service -- just switch your part and see what happens.
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Hair: Play with color
You don't want to spend eight hours in the salon to get a new look, but you want something different. Fortunately, there are plenty of commitment-and-maintenance-free ways to play with color. Try a spray-on version like Rita Hazan Pop Color, $18, which comes in pink, purple, or blue. The genius thing about this stuff is that it works on every hair color and washes out easily. Or for something with a little more staying power, try going two shades lighter or darker with a semi-permanent hair color like Clairol Natural Instincts, $8.99.
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Skin care/Makeup: Try a BB or CC cream
If you thought BB creams -- the biggest beauty trend of recent years -- were just a fad, you were wrong. BB's -- and now CC creams -- are here to stay, and even the biggest skeptics (myself included) have been converted.
If you have yet to try one, the new year is the perfect time. Throw away your gunky old foundations and primers and choose a BB like Maybelline Dream Fresh BB, $7.99. If your biggest skin concern is dark spots, pick a "color corrector" (aka CC cream) like Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream, $39, which contains vitamin C and fruit stem cells to even out skin tone.
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Makeup: Try a lip stain
Lipstick -- the brighter the better -- has made a comeback in recent years. But if you're anything like me, you probably have a dozen tubes of colors you love but never wear. Enter: the lip stain. The new formulas are anything but drying, and you don't have to worry about them ending up on your teeth.
If you're obsessed with nail art, it's probably your calling card: Friends and coworkers notice you for it, and you can't even grab a coffee without the barista commenting on your mani. Which is why, if you're looking for a major change in 2014, it's time do something crazy: Go nude. Nude nails are classic, match everything in your closet, and will make you look polished -- pun intended.
My biggest problem with New Year's resolutions isn't that you're setting yourself up for failure (even though that's generally the case), it's that executing them can be so expensive. Want to hit the gym? Get ready to shell out hundreds of dollars for a membership. Need a hair transformation? Expect a $200+ salon bill.
If the goal is to change your look in 2014, there are ways to do it without forking over a small fortune. From tweaking your hairstyle to tossing your foundation, there are quick beauty tricks that can make a much bigger difference than you think. And these changes require much less maintenance than, say, a full head of blonde highlights or training for a marathon.
So forget making resolutions -- here's how to change your look for minimal money and even less commitment.
