Five Ways to Look More Professional at Work
photo credit: Emerson Fry
Perception is reality, especially when it comes to your image at the workplace. It’s important to always look your best because you never know who you’re going to meet. Here are five simple ways to look more professional at work.
1. Makeup – it’s
important to look “put together” at the office and one way to pull off this
look every morning is to apply a light makeup; basic foundation, blush, mascara
and lipstick/lip gloss. When you go to work without makeup, women tend to look
a little tired or what people use to ask me, “are you sick?” I don’t think you
have to wear a lot of makeup to look professional, but I do think you have to
look like you got up early and spent time getting ready in the morning. On the
other hand, don’t overdo your makeup. Try and limit the amount of eye liner, eye
shadow and lipstick when getting ready for work.
important to look “put together” at the office and one way to pull off this
look every morning is to apply a light makeup; basic foundation, blush, mascara
and lipstick/lip gloss. When you go to work without makeup, women tend to look
a little tired or what people use to ask me, “are you sick?” I don’t think you
have to wear a lot of makeup to look professional, but I do think you have to
look like you got up early and spent time getting ready in the morning. On the
other hand, don’t overdo your makeup. Try and limit the amount of eye liner, eye
shadow and lipstick when getting ready for work.
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2. Hair – A women’s
hair is more important to looking professional, than one would think. Do you
ever wonder why news women always have short straight hair? Because it looks
professional and it’s not distracting to the viewer. If you’re running short on
time in the morning and you have a rubber band crease in your hair, opt for a
soft bun, sock bun or try something new like this style.
I often use dry shampoo throughout the
work week. It gives my hair a little lift and refreshes my hair. If you don’t
have dry shampoo, lightly apply baby power to your palms and use throughout
your hair. Here’s a tutorial.
hair is more important to looking professional, than one would think. Do you
ever wonder why news women always have short straight hair? Because it looks
professional and it’s not distracting to the viewer. If you’re running short on
time in the morning and you have a rubber band crease in your hair, opt for a
soft bun, sock bun or try something new like this style.
I often use dry shampoo throughout the
work week. It gives my hair a little lift and refreshes my hair. If you don’t
have dry shampoo, lightly apply baby power to your palms and use throughout
your hair. Here’s a tutorial.
Oh yes, and never go to the office with your hair, wet or
damp. That basically tells everyone in the office, “I overslept this morning and only had 15 minutes to get ready. You’re
lucky I even showed up today.”
damp. That basically tells everyone in the office, “I overslept this morning and only had 15 minutes to get ready. You’re
lucky I even showed up today.”
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3. Clothes – Wearing
clothes that fit you properly are important for your professional imagine
because it tells people that you’re important. It’s rare that you see
Executives in oversized suits. Yes, they probably have a little more disposable
income to spend on an expensive suit, but you can look just as presentable with
proper alteration. It pays to spend $15-$30 for alteration on pants, jackets
and dresses. A great resource on how to get your clothes to fit properly is Alternations Needed, by
Kelly. Her outfits are always fitted perfectly and it shows that it pays to
spend a few extra bucks to get the perfect fit.
clothes that fit you properly are important for your professional imagine
because it tells people that you’re important. It’s rare that you see
Executives in oversized suits. Yes, they probably have a little more disposable
income to spend on an expensive suit, but you can look just as presentable with
proper alteration. It pays to spend $15-$30 for alteration on pants, jackets
and dresses. A great resource on how to get your clothes to fit properly is Alternations Needed, by
Kelly. Her outfits are always fitted perfectly and it shows that it pays to
spend a few extra bucks to get the perfect fit.
Along with getting your clothes tailor, make sure your
clothes are ironed and static free. If you think a shirt is too wrinkled, don’t
wear it to work. Working in a corporate office, I
rarely see people with wrinkled suits. So
just remember, if you notice, so will the people who might potentially hire you
in the future.
clothes are ironed and static free. If you think a shirt is too wrinkled, don’t
wear it to work. Working in a corporate office, I
rarely see people with wrinkled suits. So
just remember, if you notice, so will the people who might potentially hire you
in the future.
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4. Shoes – Find a
cobbler and make them your best friend. If your shoes start to scuff or the
heels start to wear down, get them cleaned and re-heeled. It
generally costs $10-$15. It will be worth getting a facelift for your favorite
work shoe. You can also invest in a shoe
sponge, I have one near my closet and use it on a weekly basis. You’d
be surprised how often people pay attention to your shoes, especially in the
corporate world. So if you ever wonder why those men stop and get their shoes
shined at the airport and mall, it’s important for their image to have a clean
and shinny shoe.
cobbler and make them your best friend. If your shoes start to scuff or the
heels start to wear down, get them cleaned and re-heeled. It
generally costs $10-$15. It will be worth getting a facelift for your favorite
work shoe. You can also invest in a shoe
sponge, I have one near my closet and use it on a weekly basis. You’d
be surprised how often people pay attention to your shoes, especially in the
corporate world. So if you ever wonder why those men stop and get their shoes
shined at the airport and mall, it’s important for their image to have a clean
and shinny shoe.
…………………………………………………………………..
5. Bags – Limit the
handbags you take into the office. Living in NYC, I see a lot of women walking
around with 3-4 bags. I understand that before and after work you have a
million things to do. But if you walk into the office with 3-4 bags every
single day and your boss or your “future boss” sees you, they’ll start to question your organization skills. If
you must bring a bunch of bags to work, try going into the office early and try
to beat everyone to the office. If you go to the gym in the morning, rent a
locker to alleviate taking another bag to work.
handbags you take into the office. Living in NYC, I see a lot of women walking
around with 3-4 bags. I understand that before and after work you have a
million things to do. But if you walk into the office with 3-4 bags every
single day and your boss or your “future boss” sees you, they’ll start to question your organization skills. If
you must bring a bunch of bags to work, try going into the office early and try
to beat everyone to the office. If you go to the gym in the morning, rent a
locker to alleviate taking another bag to work.
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