Reviewing a makeup application can provide valuable insights and guide future beauty decisions, but the timing of that review can significantly affect our perception and understanding. The question of when to review a makeup look—right in the makeup chair, at the end of the day, after receiving professional photos, or even a year later—highlights how our inner orientation changes over time, altering our interpretations and lessons drawn.
Immediate Review (In the Makeup Chair):
- Pros: Reviewing your makeup right after it’s applied captures your initial reactions and emotions. This immediate feedback is crucial for making any necessary adjustments before a photoshoot or event.
- Cons: Immediate reviews can be clouded by the excitement or nerves of the moment, potentially preventing a clear and balanced perspective. The lighting and setting in the makeup chair might also differ from the final environment.
Short-Term Review (End of the Day):
- Pros: Reviewing your makeup at the end of the day allows you to see how well it held up, offering a more balanced perspective on its longevity and wear. Reflecting a few hours later can help you see patterns and outcomes more clearly, making it easier to identify what worked and what could be improved.
- Cons: While emotions have calmed, the makeup might have been affected by activities and external factors, which can distort the original look’s effectiveness.
Medium-Term Review (After Receiving Professional Photos):
- Pros: Reviewing your makeup once you receive the professional photos provides the advantage of seeing how it translates on camera. This broader perspective can reveal details and effects that were not apparent in person, offering deeper insights into the application’s impact.
- Cons: Over time, your memory of the initial application may become less vivid, and your interpretation can be influenced by subsequent experiences and photos.
Long-Term Review (Months to a Year Later):
- Pros: Reviewing a makeup application months or even a year later allows you to see how the look fits into the larger narrative of your style evolution. You can assess its impact on your confidence and image over time, offering wisdom and deeper insights that were not apparent initially.
- Cons: Over time, memories can become distorted or romanticized. The details may fade, leading to a review that is more reflective of your current tastes than of the actual event.
The Changing Inner Orientation
Our inner orientation—our beliefs, values, and emotional states—evolves over time. This evolution means that a makeup look reviewed immediately after application might be seen differently when revisited later. What seemed like a perfect look in the makeup chair might reveal areas for improvement after a full day’s wear. Conversely, an event initially perceived as insignificant might reveal its profound impact only after much reflection.
Balancing Reviews
To gain the most comprehensive understanding, it can be beneficial to review makeup applications at multiple points in time. An immediate review captures the essence of the moment, a short-term review provides clarity and objectivity, a medium-term review offers insight into its photographic impact, and a long-term review provides the wisdom of hindsight. By considering these different perspectives, you can create a more nuanced and complete picture of your beauty choices and their impacts.