Sloppy or Successful: Makeup

Sloppy or Successful?

I promise I will post videos of bangs being styled but until then I am going to address makeup! I've seen several of my friends, who have professional jobs, walk out the door wearing only lip gloss and mascara on their face. This is not okay. Your face is important when it comes to daily interaction with people and it is the one thing they consistently look at when interacting with you and is the second biggest way you communicate yourself (I'd argue that over-all body language ranks first). I am completely a proponent of natural beauty. Many women want to be natural beauties and it's okay to aspire to that level of aesthetics. However, you're making a statement even if you aren't trying to make a statement and that statement is-I don't really care.

For some of you, if I could read your inner dialogue right now it would say:

But I don't know how to wear makeup and don't want to walk in my office looking like a drag queen.

For some of you it reads more like this:

I don't have time in the morning to put on any makeup unless it's while driving to work or sitting in the parking lot before going inside.

And there are those of you whose dialogue reads something like this:

If I wear makeup they're going to think I'm trying too hard and I don't want to stand out. I'd rather they notice my brilliant writing skills or my creative problem solving skills but not my face.

If I've missed any inner dialogues please feel free to append them in the comment area. Regardless of your excuse, it is just that-an excuse. We spend time and energy on the things we want to do or people we want to see. It's simple. I'm here to tell you that at least four, if not five, days out of the week it's worth it to put in the time and energy doing your makeup.

So what does this business/corporate makeup look like? Annalise Kaylor says:

Keep It Simple
Work the Entire Face
and my personal favorite:
Seen and Not Heard

Keep it Simple means: You could fit what you need in a pouch that will fit in your desk or car easily and discreetly. A typical, simple collection would include:

*foundation
*blush
*lip-gloss or lipstick close to your natural lip hue but with a bit more pizazz
*mascara
*one or two eyeshadow colors
*eyeliner neutral eyeliner (most likely brown)
*concealer (as needed)



Eyeshadow trick: If you apply concealer on your eyelids before putting on the the eyeshadow it will make it stay longer. If you apply the eyeshadow with a brush it will stay on longer because the oils on your fingers will not cause the shadow to disintegrate.

Annalise's advice is to: opt for neutrals like browns, grays and soft plums.

You can never go wrong with neutrals. Watch out for dark browns and grays. If they are dusty they have a tendency to fall and will make you look like you have circles under your eyes which looks particularly harsh beneath the typical florescent lighting in most offices.

If you have an allergy to red dye watch out for the warmer colors: rich brown and warm plum tones tend to have more red dye in them, especially if they have a higher pigment content.

While most of you tend towards the "less is more" end of the spectrum, there are those of you who appreciate the bolder, more fashion-forward, looks and I applaud you. However, it would behoove you too to tone it down for a corporate environment. Dark smokey eyeliner is awesome, but not when you're in a 10 a.m. meeting with the boss.

HAIR: Sloppy or Successful

Sloppy or Successful?

In the previous post I mentioned getting bangs as a way of switching up your style and making the jogger's pony-tail look more work appropriate. Some of you balked at that idea. Some of you suffered other forms of cognitive dissonance and skipped that part (bangs? what bangs? I have no clue what you're talking about). Some of you were intrigued and so, I have a little something for everyone. I will be posting a "how to" video on how to style a pompadour ponytail as well as a video on how to style bangs and side bangs a.k.a. swoopies, swangies, swangs.

Have no fear, Erica's here!

HAIR: Sloppy or Successful

Sloppy or Successful: Hair Styles

What kinds of styles work for the work place? Typically the more conservative styles are what go over the best. There's something about having your hair off your face that makes you seem more professional--but not in a pony-tail. There is a "right" way to do a pony tail in the corporate setting and it typically involves 1) bangs/pompadour 2) some great makeup and 3) smart attire.

Your hair is the picture frame for your face. When it is wet and pulled back or just pulled back it sends off a vibe that says you don't care. Unfortunately many Americans are unhappy in their jobs which makes it more difficult for them to care.

I remember hearing about a book about successful people who dressed or looked the part before they even became successful. One such woman was a real-estate agent who wanted to get into selling more expensive houses. She saved up her hard earned money and bought a fur coat which very conveniently covered up her normal, cheaper looking, dress. Needless to say, she was able to get the clientele she wanted not only because she was talented but she did what it took to look the part.

I'm not saying buy a fur coat but take into consideration how you wear your hair and what it says about you. Most women want the walk out the door, dries naturally, look and I will tell you there is no such thing.

So back to the pony tails, bangs are a great way of making a pony look more stylish and "finished." Here are a few examples.

Some of you might be thinking: but that's too daring, I don't know how to style bangs or I don't think I look good with bangs.

Well, then don't wear a pony tail. Ponytails are for working out, unless you do something interesting with them. Another option to make a pony more office-worthy is the pompadour, otherwise know as the "poof."



These are more acceptable styles because they look clean and chic without looking too casual. It is actually a time saving style because it's better when your hair is a day old which means you get that fifteen minutes of sleep you so desperately want in the morning.

In the next few blogs I will demonstrate how to wear both of these hairstyles and the tools/products you need to make them stay and look like they're styled well, so stay tuned!


*E*

HAIR and MAKEUP: Sloppy or Successful series

Sloppy or Successful?

It's time for internships, summer jobs, and nine-to-five! You've got the interview, you bought the clothes and, quite possibly, you're set with the shoes. So, now that you've taken care of 50% of your over-all appearance what happens with your hair and makeup?

Our culture presents women with quite a challenge: presenting yourself as a professional in the workplace without looking too plain or too primped. Aside from over-all appearance, your face and hair are going to receive just as much attention as your frock and it serves you better to do the things that will lend you the credibility you deserve for all your hard work. When you choose to put forth minimum effort into how you look, it shows! Some women may argue that they are trying to "buck the system" by not wearing makeup because they want their natural beauty to shine. In reality they're shooting themselves in the foot. You don't have to look like a deranged Barbie-doll you just need to look presentable, neat, and like you have a clue about what you're doing. The good news is, it doesn't take that long to look fresh and put together 'cause let's be real: there is no way for you to rectify your lack of sleep in the fifteen minutes your snooze button so kindly allows you.

In the next few blogs I am going to address make-up and hair and how to keep both looking fresh and professional without breaking bank and more importantly to help you maintain your sanity. Keep your chin up, clock fifteen minutes ahead, and get ready to successfully look your professional best.

Erica Ambrose is a hair and makeup stylist in the Atlanta area and is available on a contract basis. Please contact her at erica@ericaambrose.com for appointment requests or more information.

What's blossoming in your personal style?

It's inevitable, when spring hits we get this twitch to change something about ourselves. Sometimes it's how we do our makeup or it may look like throwing clothes out of our overgrown wardrobe to changing up our hair style. Of those three changes, makeup is the least expensive and makes the most difference without physically altering the composition of something on your body. Women have a love-hate relationship with most things beauty whether it's taking the initiative to try a new color palate or just trying make-up in general.

If you are one of those women who is clueless about makeup and would rather gnaw off your left pinky finger than have to deal with a sales person at a cosmetic counter, I feel your pain and I am here to help. Before you buckle under the pressure of building up your cosmetics and you go spending a ridiculous amount of money, take a good look at yourself in the mirror and identify your favorite features. If it's your eyes then focus on purchasing the right kind of makeup for your eyes. If it's your lips, spend the time looking into a couple of "go-to" shades that complement your skin tone and your lifestyle. Personally I prefer glosses that have a decent amount of pigment in them because you can make them light and more sheer for a fresh pucker or make them darker and more appropriate for a night out.

For those of you who have more makeup than all the cosmetic counters combined, chances are you:
a) need to throw away some old makeup
b) have a multi-personality disorder with different shades
c) buy makeup on a whim, use it once, and toss it into the abyss
d) thought it looked cool in the packaging but had no clue how to use it
e) all of the above

Throwing away old makeup is a good habit to get into because it means that there aren't little critters infesting products such as your mascara, suitable for growing small colonies in the dark recesses of it's gooky cave. It also helps to keep you honest about products you really use on a daily basis. Certainly, as women, we like variety, color, and texture (oh my!) and it is okay to have different types and shades. I'd draw the line if you have three black eye liners at varying degrees of use. Ditch two, keep one. Also a rule of thumb:

If you've used it for longer than 10 years and it's not clear, nude, or ultra-sheer you're probably stuck back in the era when you started wearing the makeup and it's time for a change! Blue liner does have its place in the makeup lineup but not when it boldly goes where makeup has sadly gone before.

What are some ways you've changed your look recently?

Fresh!

We're all sick of hearing how our economy has been a roller-coaster ride for the past several months. Some of us feel the pinch when we dig into our pockets where others feel like Uncle Sam has their arms twisted behind their backs waiting to hear them say "UNCLE!" However, I've had the privilege of meeting with some new entrepreneurs working to use this time to dust off their dreams, gussy up their ambition, and make the best of this time using their skills and talents. One such woman is LeAnn Leagans, proud owner of Red Star Media. You can follow her blog at: redstarmedia.blogspot.com. She's a talented, ambitious woman, and I don't doubt her imminent success. Another such woman is Ashley Feagin who will be releasing her own collection of silk duvet covers and stylish computer bags, for the woman who longs for the marriage of practicality and style!

I will be working on a contract basis as a hair and makeup stylist focusing on cuts, styles for every day and styles for formal occasions. I will be posting examples of my work as well as tips, tricks, booking information, and articles of interest. Unlike GLAMOUR magazine or Cosmo, this is a place for "real" women and since it is an interactive community I appreciate your input about hair, makeup, deals and styles for the every day woman. I don't care if you're 15 or 75, we're supposed to look and feel beautiful not because we're the pawns of a sociology experiment gone wrong, but because we deserve to feel feminine and beautiful in our own unique ways. However, you guys are not excluded in this just because women dominate the beauty industry. This is also for the every day man who wants to change up his style from college to business, wants to relax his style from business to metro, and for the man who knows something needs to happen but hasn't a clue where to start.

Although this is a business venture I sincerely hope this inspires you to start thinking about your giftings, skills, talents and causes you to examine your desires, dreams, and goals.

Until next time!
Ciao!

E