I was raised by a single mother of four and surrounded by sisters, and grandmothers my entire life. Mornings always began with makeup, hair, and coffee, sometimes all at the same time. But I wondered why they had to go through so much effort, to feel ready for the day.

Some of them performed these tasks because they enjoy them and apply them as a form of self-care. Others felt they had to or they would be treated differently-looked down upon because they did not align with the employee attire guidelines. Such was required of them, but not so much of their male peers.

In this vector illustration, I explore the concept of a woman getting ready. What is required, what outfit to wear, and how can she empower herself without feeling like she is bound to the physical expectations of her male contemporaries.