i’ve always been fairly classic, fairly traditional. everyone always asks, ‘did you ever rebel? did you dye your hair blue? did you wear black nail polish?’ i mean, of course, there have been episodes when you wear weird-colored lipstick… but generally, i think i was pretty much the way i am now. i stick with what i know, makeup-wise. just because something is on trend doesn’t mean you have to embrace it. you can look at it and admire it, but that doesn’t mean you have to wear black nail polish or red lipstick. if you feel comfortable in what you’re wearing, you’ll look your best, and i think that’s a really important idea. sometimes, whether it’s fashion or beauty, things are on-trend and they look beautiful on the runway, but when i apply them to myself it doesn’t look the way it should.

- aerin lauder for into the gloss [emphasis mine]

my philosophy is similar because it works for me. it took years to appreciate and trust my look. to understand that simple or basic doesn’t mean boring. it allows me to feel confident no matter where i am or who i am with. it doesn’t mean that i always feel a sense of belonging but i always have something that belongs to me. A Look. it allows me to admire others for doing things differently without questioning: am i doing it wrong?