Tag Archives: certified image consultant

Business Dress, Colour, Men, Wardrobe, Women

How to Choose Your Stocking or Sock Colour

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Many of my clients ask me how to choose socks and stockings and the answer is that as the trends change the answer may be different. However, if your goal is for a coordinated look, a classic look or you want your legs to look longer there are some rules:

For a classic men’s wear look socks should be toned to the hemline of the pants. For an even more coordinated look ideally the socks will have a subtle pattern that will coordinate the pant colour and the shoe colour.

To make your legs look longer, tone socks or stockings to the colour of your pant or skirt hemline. This will make the legs look like a column of colour and elongate them.

Stockings can also be toned to the colour of your shoes. This will coordinate the stockings with the shoes. This works best when you are wearing an accessory such as a scarf or another garment in your stocking colour to draw attention towards your face and create more harmony.

Make up, Women

Quick Tip for Long Lasting Mascara

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Mascara is a great way to emphasize your eyes and make them look bigger. However the application is also important. As a make-up artist I find that the best mascara application for long lasting results follows these steps:

  1. Looking down apply a coat of mascara on the top of the upper lashes.
  2. Continue to look down slightly focusing on the mirror as you apply a coat on the bottom of the upper lashes.

These two steps will help to seal the mascara and make it last longer. Your eye-lashes will also look more finished and your mascara will appear more natural.

Business Dress, Colour, Men, Wardrobe

Four Reasons to Wear a Neck Tie

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Many men hate the thought of putting on a neck tie and for many reasons. Some men hate the thought of wearing a tie because they feel they are uncomfortable; some men say they feel too dressed up when wearing a tie; and some men don’t know how to tie a tie-knot. If this is your only reason please see my YouTube videos below on how to tie various tie knots.

How to Tie the 4-in-Hand
How to Tie the Half Windsor
How to tie the Full Windsor
How to Tie the Pratt or Shelby Knot

Here are four reasons why you should wear a tie:

  1. Neck ties complete an outfit and make it look more finished.
  2. You will appear taller and slimmer when wearing a tie.
  3. When worn in a colour that suits you, ties make you look more healthy and attractive.
  4. You appear more credible and authoritative when wearing a tie then when you don’t.
Business Dress, Men, Wardrobe, Women

How to Draw Attention to Your Face

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When mingling socially or for business the initial purpose is to meet people and carry on a conversation. However, sometimes meeting people can be difficult. A great way to attract attention is with great accessories. For men this could include a tie, braces or cufflinks. For women this could be a belt, bracelet, earrings, scarf, necklace or a broach. However, because the accessory also creates a focal point, the placement should be strategic. To focus attention on the conversation and keeping it there requires focal points close to your face. Use accessories such as a great tie or braces for men and scarves, necklaces and earrings for women to add interest and keep the focus on your face and the conversation.

Business Dress, Etiquette, Men, Wardrobe, Women

How to Get the Most Benefit from Your Name Tag

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I recently attended a networking function and I was surprised at how many people don’t know how to use a name tag effectively.

A name tag is a great way to help others remember who you are and what you do. However, the size and placement are important.

The name tag should be legible from a distance. When writing your name, use large, thick capital letters. This will make it easier to read.

The eye will be drawn to the name tag so the placement is important. Wear a jacket with a lapel. Many nametags have clips that are meant to be attached to a lapel in order to hang properly.  When attached to a shirt or blouse they ruin the line of the garment and look sloppy.

The name tag is always placed on the right. The reason for this is because when shaking hands the eye will automatically be drawn up the arm to the name tag and then to the face. In a business gathering this should be the target for the focus of attention.

Etiquette, Men, Women

What is Good Eye Contact?

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Good eye contact will automatically make you look more confident and show you are paying attention. But what is good eye contact? Depending on who you ask, the answer will be different. Some say about 40% – 60% of the time while others say 70% of the time. The correct answer? I will let you know when I find out.

However, I think the real answer is based on the goal. Keeping your eyes on the person, close to eye level the majority of the time will show that you are paying attention to what is being said. This is perfect for business. Letting your eyes drift down towards the mouth occasionally indicates that you are more interested in them as a person. Save this for social settings when you want to get to know someone better. And you can tell the other person is receptive to the idea. The lower the eyes drift onto the body the more intimate the attention. This kind of attention can make someone uncomfortable and should be reserved accordingly.

Colour, Make up, Women

Make Larger Lips Look Smaller

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To make your lips look thinner and smaller, hide your natural lip line with concealer. Line the lips just inside your natural lip line. Smudge the lip-liner onto your lips to soften the line. Apply your lipstick onto the lips keeping the colour inside the new lip line created with the liner. This will create the illusion of thinner lips. Using a darker lip liner and lip stick without shine or shimmer will also make the lips look thinner and smaller.

Business Dress, Men, Wardrobe, Women

How to Keep Your Business Cards Handy

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When networking, rummaging through your wallet or handbag and pulling out a business card that is wrinkled looks unprofessional. An easy way to keep your business cards accessible and appear professional is to keep them in one jacket pocket or in an attractive two pocket business card holder. Keep an empty pocket or pocket in your business card holder for the business cards you receive. This way the transaction will be smooth, it will keep the business cards organized and you will appear more professional.

Dining Etiquette, Men, Women

Choosing a Restaurant – Who’s Choice?

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When you invite a client for a business meeting at a restaurant your role becomes the host. As the host it is your job to lead the way and make the decisions, even if you are from out of town. Although it is polite to ask the guest if they have a preference on where to dine, never ask the guest to choose the restaurant. This may put him in an awkward position

Colour, Men, Wardrobe, Women

Why Wear Colour Effectively?

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Colour analysis is a scientific practice that has evolved over the past 100 years, and for good reason. Colour can affect your mood and the moods of others around you. It will influence your perceived size and body shape, as well as reveal your mood, personality and sense of fashion. Not only that, but It can also make you appear healthier and more attractive.

Colour analysis is a great way of determining which colours are right for you and will enhance your personal colouring. It is also a great way to coordinate a workable, versatile wardrobe that can be easily mixed and matched. As you become more aware of colour and relate it to your own colouring and appearance, you can make more appropriate choices that will save you time and money.