Why, then, do we feel like it is an extravagance or like we are cheating when we go to experts to help us look & feel good? And why are some things OK to pay for and others not? And some things, only on special occasions (meaning we have to impress someone, even if it’s only in our imagination).

For instance, we are alright with a weekly manicure, and going to the gym, but it’s over the top to pay for a personal trainer. And we’ll get a blow out and our makeup done for a wedding, or significant event (especially our high school reunion, am I right?).

But it’s not respectable to have these same things done for a portrait. Oh no, that’s vain. I’ve got news for you, these celebrities are having themselves made up for a portrait. Granted, it’s a portrait that will be seen by more people than our portrait most likely is, but is there a certain number of views that make it acceptable to use stylists?

Think about it, our photographs will be passed down from generation to generation, so in reality we will be living on for eternity, not looking our best because of some made up standard.

Why do we think we do not deserve to look our best. Why do we think we can do it ourselves, when in reality most of us are not trained cosmeticians? And then we complain that we never look good. We say are “just not photogenic” and refuse to exist in photographs.

It’s not reality to expect to look like a celebrity on a daily basis, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. And truth be told, our loved ones are not sitting around making a list of our faults. They love us for who we are.

We deserve to look our best, and those that come after us deserve to see us at our best. So the next time your photographer offers you makeup & hair styling, even if it is “just” for a headshot, don’t fight it. Enjoy the time to yourself. Enjoy the pampering. You have earned it.