Rise...and Shine! Looking Your Best
By Jennifer Olmos
When I was younger, my mother despised the way I dressed. When I look at myself “back in the day”, I squirm, probably in the same way she did. I can’t believe I thought that I actually dressed well. When we went to family activities, I usually went in baggy pants, an unattractive T-shirt, and dirty shoes. I didn’t like skirts, I didn’t wear jewelry, and I didn’t do my hair. My mom was embarrassed by my appearance, yet I considered it unique, confident, and fun. I believed if people judged, then it was their problem, not mine. Now, over 10 years later, I have learned there is a better way to get attention. Here are a few tips that will help turn heads – in a good way.
1 - Time. When I prep for the day, I always end up dedicating an hour to myself. A confident appearance takes time. Giving yourself time in the morning will keep you from rushing your look. You secure confidence in yourself when you leave your apartment looking good.
2 – Shower. Showering daily is good hygiene. Not only does it help wake your body and mind in the morning, it refreshes your body through cleansing it of debris and perspiration. A shower can be a body and hair wash, or just a body rinse. Apply face moisturizer soon after showering. I usually wash my hair every two days, but I make sure to rinse off every morning.
3 – Choose an outfit. If you are comfortable with your wardrobe, you can easily choose an outfit in the morning. If you are not, or have forgotten to do laundry, try choosing an outfit the night before. Outfits are pieces of clothing working together to bring out shape, facial features, and your best personality. In other words, what you wear attracts or detracts people from you. What you wear says something about who you are and what treatment you demand. Choose a nice top with a matching bottom. Think “professional” as you sift through your wardrobe.
4 – Shoes. Rummage through your shoe collection and choose a clean pair of loafers (men), sexy heels, or attractive flats, avoiding anything that may be too causal, old, or dirty. In actuality, shoes can make or break your outfit, so be wise.
5 – Hair. Whether you are male or female, do you hair. Men should do a little more then just a quick comb in the morning if possible. Women should always style their hair. “Style” doesn’t mean lots of hair product and bobby pins, but it should be noticeable that you took some time to play with it. Styling can be a thorough blow dry and straightening, or it can mean curling your locks. Whatever you choose, make sure people know you spent time on your hair. It is attractive, professional, and boosts your self-confidence.
6 – Makeup (women only). When someone sees a well-dressed individual with an attractive hairstyle, they assume the face looks good as well. Make-up is used to accent and flaunt beautiful features. Outline your eyes with black eyeliner. If you have light eyes, try charcoal or another color instead, making sure colors are consistent with the look of your outfit. Power should match skin tone closely. Avoid over application! Curl your lashes and apply mascara. People should know you spent time on your makeup, but unlike your hair, it shouldn’t be noticeable. Less is better. Remember, think “professional”.
7 – Accessorize. Accessories play the same role as clothing – they bring out shape, facial features, and personality. Accessories are the extras: watches, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. They should be simple and attractive. You can have fun looking chic. Look at your outfit and look at your shoes. The color and material of accessories should be consistent with your look for the day. For example: don’t wear a pair of blue slacks, a pin-striped white colored shirt, black open-toed heels and a brown leather wristband with your favorite band engraved in it. Instead, try a black or silver watch or gold bangle bracelets.
8 – Coat and handbag/wallet. For the cherry on top effect, a coat and handbag are definite must and should follow the color consistency of your outfit.
Even though I always listened to my mom, I never put it into practice what she said until just a few years ago. Now that I’m 24 years old, I can say that I’ve “grown up a bit” when it comes to dressing myself. I realize that my mother walked the walk and talked the talk when it came to women’s fashion. The best way to do it is mom’s way. After all, mothers know best.
When I was younger, my mother despised the way I dressed. When I look at myself “back in the day”, I squirm, probably in the same way she did. I can’t believe I thought that I actually dressed well. When we went to family activities, I usually went in baggy pants, an unattractive T-shirt, and dirty shoes. I didn’t like skirts, I didn’t wear jewelry, and I didn’t do my hair. My mom was embarrassed by my appearance, yet I considered it unique, confident, and fun. I believed if people judged, then it was their problem, not mine. Now, over 10 years later, I have learned there is a better way to get attention. Here are a few tips that will help turn heads – in a good way.
1 - Time. When I prep for the day, I always end up dedicating an hour to myself. A confident appearance takes time. Giving yourself time in the morning will keep you from rushing your look. You secure confidence in yourself when you leave your apartment looking good.
2 – Shower. Showering daily is good hygiene. Not only does it help wake your body and mind in the morning, it refreshes your body through cleansing it of debris and perspiration. A shower can be a body and hair wash, or just a body rinse. Apply face moisturizer soon after showering. I usually wash my hair every two days, but I make sure to rinse off every morning.
3 – Choose an outfit. If you are comfortable with your wardrobe, you can easily choose an outfit in the morning. If you are not, or have forgotten to do laundry, try choosing an outfit the night before. Outfits are pieces of clothing working together to bring out shape, facial features, and your best personality. In other words, what you wear attracts or detracts people from you. What you wear says something about who you are and what treatment you demand. Choose a nice top with a matching bottom. Think “professional” as you sift through your wardrobe.
4 – Shoes. Rummage through your shoe collection and choose a clean pair of loafers (men), sexy heels, or attractive flats, avoiding anything that may be too causal, old, or dirty. In actuality, shoes can make or break your outfit, so be wise.
5 – Hair. Whether you are male or female, do you hair. Men should do a little more then just a quick comb in the morning if possible. Women should always style their hair. “Style” doesn’t mean lots of hair product and bobby pins, but it should be noticeable that you took some time to play with it. Styling can be a thorough blow dry and straightening, or it can mean curling your locks. Whatever you choose, make sure people know you spent time on your hair. It is attractive, professional, and boosts your self-confidence.
6 – Makeup (women only). When someone sees a well-dressed individual with an attractive hairstyle, they assume the face looks good as well. Make-up is used to accent and flaunt beautiful features. Outline your eyes with black eyeliner. If you have light eyes, try charcoal or another color instead, making sure colors are consistent with the look of your outfit. Power should match skin tone closely. Avoid over application! Curl your lashes and apply mascara. People should know you spent time on your makeup, but unlike your hair, it shouldn’t be noticeable. Less is better. Remember, think “professional”.
7 – Accessorize. Accessories play the same role as clothing – they bring out shape, facial features, and personality. Accessories are the extras: watches, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. They should be simple and attractive. You can have fun looking chic. Look at your outfit and look at your shoes. The color and material of accessories should be consistent with your look for the day. For example: don’t wear a pair of blue slacks, a pin-striped white colored shirt, black open-toed heels and a brown leather wristband with your favorite band engraved in it. Instead, try a black or silver watch or gold bangle bracelets.
8 – Coat and handbag/wallet. For the cherry on top effect, a coat and handbag are definite must and should follow the color consistency of your outfit.
Even though I always listened to my mom, I never put it into practice what she said until just a few years ago. Now that I’m 24 years old, I can say that I’ve “grown up a bit” when it comes to dressing myself. I realize that my mother walked the walk and talked the talk when it came to women’s fashion. The best way to do it is mom’s way. After all, mothers know best.
