Tag Archives: style

Business casual, Business Dress, Casual dress, Dress for Success, Men, Professional business attire, Professional Business Image, Wardrobe, Women

Is the Way You Dress for Work Up to Par?

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According a poll done on Workplace Attire by Reuters/Ipsos, dressing appropriately for work really can make the different between failure and success on the job. Here are a few of the statistics:

  • 66% of employees say senior managers should always be more dressed up then their employees.
  • 55% think someone prescribed attire is more productive.
  • 37% think casually dressed workers will never make it to a senior management position.

The interesting thing about these findings is that I hear this all the time from my corporate clients. Employers really do care how their employees represent their company and feel it does impact their productivity and chances for advancement.  They feel that appropriate dress is important and they know their clients feel the same way.

To learn more about this poll and findings: http://www.ipsos-na.com/download/pr.aspx?id=9809

Business casual, Colour, Etiquette, Look Younger, Make up, Women

Highlight Your Facial Features

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Make-up application relates to the actual structure of the head and face.

The natural hills and valleys of the face can be recreated or enhanced with optical illusions created by using light and dark cosmetics.

Highlighting is the application of a make-up colour that is lighter than the surrounding area. This area will appear more pronounced than the area next to it.

Make up, Make Up Tools, Women

How to Choose a Make-up Brush

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There are a variety of make-up brushes that range in size and shape. The lip brush is generally one of the smallest and the powder brush is generally the largest. There are many more kinds of brushes of different sizes in between.makeup

The most important thing to consider is making sure the brush you use is suited for the job. The best way to pick the right brush is to choose one that is a reasonable size and stiffness – for the make-up product, desired effect and area the product is to be applied.

  • A stiff brush will deposit more colour and works well for a dramatic effect or precise application.
  • A wide brush works well for applying colour to large areas and for blending.
  • An angled or dome shaped brush works well for contouring or shading.
  • A small to medium brush, angled or dome shaped of medium stiffness, works well for precise work such as shading small areas.
Colour, Make up, Women

Choosing Between Warm and Cool Make-up Colours?

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Approaching the make-up counter can be confusing with the wide array of colours to choose from. Make-up colours that are in the same undertone as your skin, eye and hair colour will make you look healthy and beautiful.

If your features are naturally warm you will notice ivory, yellow, peach or golden tones in the skin. The hair will likely have yellow, golden or orange undertones. The colours in the eyes will have some or all warm colours.

  • Examples of warm colours – peach, golden yellow, camel, rust, russet, gold, olive, golden brown, sea green, bronze, spices, etc.

If your features are naturally cool you will notice porcelain, pinks, rose, blues, violet or olive tones in the skin. The hair will likely have ash, taupe, coco, or black tones. The colours in the eyes will have some or all cool colours.

  • Examples of cool colours – coco brown, taupe, black, pink, rose, true blue, burgundy, berry colours, black, etc.

With some of us it’s difficult to tell if our colouring is warm or cool. Some of us have both warm and cool colouring. If this is the case, you have more options. Experimenting is the easiest way to find what works. If still in doubt, I would recommend a professional colour consultation with an image or colour consultant.

Business casual, Business Dress, Colour, Look Younger, Make up, Women

Choosing Your Colours

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The easiest way to achieve natural looking results is to choose your make-up in light tints, dark shades, and muted tones rather than clear, bright hues. The more muted the colour, the more neutral it becomes.

  • Neutral colours are the most versatile and work well with most skin tones and eye colours unless you are very fair or very dark. e.g. browns, black, greys, tints (off whites), etc.colour wheel
  • For more drama, when working with eyes, choose a tone from the colours opposite your eye colour on the colour wheel. e.g. Blue eyes – coral, peach, pink and yellow tones.

Business casual, Business Dress, Casual dress, Colour, Men, Wardrobe, Women

Fashion Cycles – But Do We?

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If you are heading for 50 like I am and think you have seen every style in fashion come and go… you probably have. Fashion does move in cycles and over time what may have been considered old and dated… just a few years ago, suddenly becomes new again. Yes, with a little tweeking on the part of the designer, fashion trends do come back again and again.

But before you dive into your closet and dig out all those gems you loved and charished way back when, consider the following:

  • Is it comfortable?
  • Is it still me?
  • Does it flatter my shape?
  • Is the colour flattering?
  • Does it coordinate with anything in my closet?

Fashion styles may move in cycles and come back into vogue again and again. However, as human beings, we evolve and change over time. Before putting on that outfit you wore faithfully in the 1970’s or 1980’s, think about who you are today. Even though the fashion style may be similar or the same as the good old days… it is likely you aren’t.

Business casual, Business Dress, Casual dress, Colour, Dress for Success, Make up, Men, Wardrobe, Women

7 Reasons to Strategically Colour Your Wardrobe

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Last year for Valentine’s Day, I wrote a post called “Look Gorgeous in Red on Valentine’s Day”.

Wearing colours that suit you will instantly make you look healthier and more attractive. As an image consultant, determining the most flattering colour qualities for my client, is one of the first things I like to focus on when we work together. Why, you ask??

  1. Easier shopping for clothing and make-up
  2. Mistake proof clothing colour coordination colour wheel
  3. Faster dressing at home
  4. Easier packing when traveling

These are all great reasons. But the reasons my clients tell me they are happy they know their best colour qualities are:

  1. Avoid mistakes!
  2. Save money!
  3. Sparkle!
Business casual, Business Dress, Colour, Dress for Success, Wardrobe, Women

Should You Wear Animal Print to Work?

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Been shopping lately? If so you may have noticed that animal print fabric is everywhere. Personally, I really like it. It’s fun and comes across mischievous and playful. And this season, whether you want to look like a fox, a cat, a tiger or any other animal, it’s out there. But is work the best time to come across this way?  OK, yes, it’s good to enjoy your time at work. However, the way you dress may be perceived as sending mixed messages. How do you look playful and come across serious at the same time? When dressing for the purpose of work this can be a challenge. My suggestions?

  • If possible, keep animal print for social occasions.
  • If you work in an environment that encourages a playful approach, but you still need to look like you are capable and are there to do your job, wear subtle versions of animal print. This can be done with low colour contrast, worn in small areas or by choosing non-descript versions.
Business casual, Business Dress, Colour, Dress for Success, Men, Wardrobe, Women

Is Black a Good Work Wardrobe Colour?

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I love black! It is mysterious, chic and intriguing. And it is the perfect colour to wear any time you want to look dramatic, especially in a social setting.  But is it a good colour to wear to work? The answer is… it depends on what message you want to convey.

Black being the darkest colour is also the most authoritative colour. If you want to come across commanding and have others follow direction that you give without question, black is definitely your colour.  However, that might not always work in your favour. What about those occasions when you are trying to create rapport and you want interaction? Looking authoritative can be good, but in this situation it might be over-kill. Because black is such an authoritative colour, it can also be very intimating.

If you like black but still want interaction with others here are my suggestions:

  • When interacting with clients or subordinates break up the black. Instead of dressing in head to toe black, wear black dress pants and a coordinating jacket in a different colour or the other way around.
  • Keep the black suit for those times when you are interacting with others in top leadership positions.
  • If you want to come across authoritative but a little more approachable, try navy instead. In navy you will still maintain an appropriate level or authority and others will trust that you can do the job. However, because blue is the colour of trust, others will trust that they can open up and ask questions.
Business casual, Business Dress, Dress for Success, Etiquette, Men, Wardrobe, Women

Reinforce Your Company’s Image with Your Image

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Most companies spend a lot of money each year developing and maintaining their company image. As a representative of your company it’s up to you to reinforce this image by presenting yourself in a way that’s consistent with the company brand. Let’s face it, when we meet someone for the first time, whether we like it or not, we instantly form an impression about them. If the impression matches what they are trying to communicate, we are more likely to trust them. Once trust is established, it’s easier to build rapport and strong business relationships.