You’re standing at the edge of your makeup bag, looking at the tools that have gotten you this far. The foundation you’ve always worn, the lipstick that used to make you feel bold, the eyeshadow palette that once felt full of possibility. But lately, something feels off. You’re not sure why, but those familiar items no longer seem to fit. They’re asking questions you didn’t realize they would.
It’s the tug of war between who you’ve been and who you’re becoming.
We like to believe that what worked for us in the past will continue to work as we move forward. It’s comforting, really—a way to keep things predictable when so much else in life shifts. But makeup, like life, is not immune to change. Your skin changes, your style evolves, your priorities shift. And suddenly, the very products that once supported you now feel like they belong to a version of you that no longer exists.
This is where the Diderot Effect sneaks in, almost imperceptibly. Named after the French philosopher Denis Diderot, who in the 18th century wrote an essay about his regret over replacing his old, worn dressing gown, the Diderot Effect highlights how one change in our lives can trigger a cascade of others. In Diderot’s case, the new luxurious gown made his other possessions feel out of place, outdated even. And so, he began replacing them—new furnishings, new décor, a new identity built on one seemingly innocent swap.
You might think, “I’m not buying new furniture; it’s just makeup.” But the effect is the same. You swap out that old foundation for something more suitable, and it feels right. But the new foundation has a voice—it whispers that the lipstick you’ve always worn no longer aligns. The eyeshadow starts looking dated. The entire kit asks for an overhaul, pulling you toward something new, something more in tune with where you are now.
But here’s the truth: you don’t always need to overhaul your makeup bag to feel in sync with yourself. Sometimes, it’s not about the products but how you use them. A Private Makeup Lesson can reframe how you approach your routine entirely. The right technique, a shift in the order of application, or even using a tool differently can bring fresh life to your existing collection. Rather than giving in to the spiral of consumption, you can learn how to make what you already own work better for you, aligning with your current style and needs—without the constant urge for more.
This tug of war is more than just about makeup. It’s about the tension between who you were and who you are becoming, between comfort and growth. As we age, or as our life path takes unexpected turns, we are constantly asked to re-evaluate the tools we use to present ourselves to the world. Sometimes those tools no longer serve us, and change is inevitable. Other times, we may resist the pull, clinging to the familiar because change feels overwhelming.
The question isn’t whether you’ll change—because change is a given. The real question is: Will you allow your external world to reflect that change intentionally, or will you be dragged into it by a sense of dissatisfaction with what no longer fits?
Maybe, just maybe, the things in your makeup bag aren’t asking for a complete overall. They’re asking for a deeper conversation.
