Always share your best self.
As a professional in a management position, I find myself frequently working as the outward face of the organization.
This means that at all times, I must be ready to put my best self forward. Whether in person or via Zoom, I have cultivated habits over the years that help me stay ready.
“wrinkled clothing tells people you don’t care. That your time with them is so unimportant that you just threw on anything.”
Sometimes, women assume that a more polished appearance includes a full face of makeup and the perfect outfit.
There was a time when I would agree, but now as a professional over 30, I realize with simple habits, I can easily give an appearance of confidence and polish any day.
1.
Grooming
Grooming is key to maintaining your desired appearance. Good grooming doesn’t have to mean you go and get 10 beauty services every month.
Instead, it’s about deciding what aspects of your appearance will be tended to regularly.
How you present to the world tells them how to treat you.
If it appears that you put effort into maintaining a particular look, people will respond to your pride in appearance.
Manicured nails and brows are signs of self-care just as much as a clean moisturized face.
I advise you to keep a regular self-maintenance routine but to pay special attention to leveling up in one particular area.
My regular grooming routine includes the typical: shaving, waxing, exfoliating, etc. However, haircare is a part of my routine that I give extra effort.
In the world around me, this has translated to people perceiving me as someone who usually looks well put together, but also who has great hair!
To discover the routine that suits me, I continue habits my mother taught me as well as new ideas from others via Pinterest and Youtube.
2.
Clothes that say you care
Growing up my dad always said: “wrinkled clothing tells people you don’t care. That your time with them is so unimportant that you just threw on anything.”
Though I seriously despise ironing, that message has stuck with me over the years.
In a professional setting, my clothes are always tailored and wrinkle free. Why? Because I want any person I meet to know that I value their time.
Pro Tip: Steam/iron your clothes right out of the wash, so you never put away wrinkled clothes. If you stay ready, you never have to be caught slipping.
Outside of the professional setting, I tend to stay wrinkly around my house and wrinkle-free when I leave.
As I said, I hate ironing, so I use a steamer and my clothing dryer to remain wrinkle-free.
Also, true personal style lies in fit. That may mean hiring a tailor or walking away from items that don’t fit quite right.
True style comes not only from unique clothing, but also in how the clothes you wear fit your body. Try not to focus on size, and instead on being comfortable in what you wear.
3.
Smell good
Wanna level up? Make sure you always smell good. This step can be as simple as never forgetting to brush your teeth and to always freshen up before making contact with other people.
Or you can put effort into choosing a signature fragrance or two. Maybe layer on a body oil or lotion as well.
How far you take smelling good is an individual choice. However, we always remember the person in the room that smells great.
We are human and often take our cues from scents in the air. More than anything else we notice what smells particularly bad and what smells particularly good.
If you want to make a lasting impression at a job interview, spray on a clean scent that a potential employer will associate you with.
Pro Tip: Having grown up in hot humid Florida, I know that sweat can ruin everything. Make sure you carry deodorant wipes and/or apply a bit of talcum-free powder before you leave the house to remain fresh on those scorching hot days.
Over the years I have cultivated habits that ensure I always put my best foot forward. However, that didn’t happen overnight.
In the last 10 years, I’ve experimented with makeup, clothes, and all of the beauty treatments out there. The goal is to take pride in my appearance and to not fall for the trends.
So now, I’ve defined my style and routines to always put my best self forward.
