The next two blogs from your favorite Image Consultant are about issues we all deal with as humans: grooming and your image surrounding that. I know it’s strange that I compare us to our two cats. Stay with me. Our big, fluffy Maine Coon loves to groom himself. He loves to clean his long, thick hair and asks to be brushed at least three times a day. He probably feels better afterwards. Our other kitty, Nellie, who is a domestic long haired kitty has very long grey hair as well. Her hair is more stringy and tends to pick up dust, etc. Nellie does not love to be groomed by us and sometimes doesn’t groom herself.
An Image Consultant Points for Grooming
People can be the same way in their grooming and thus their image. I fall somewhere in the middle of all this. While I am not a natural style — ladies who shun makeup and jewelry, etc. — I have never really been a high maintenance woman either. Ever since I cut my super long locks in my senior year of high school and opted for a short, curly cap of hair, I have not sought to spend hours getting ready in the morning for the perfect image. I am lucky in that I have naturally curly hair, and when I have a great hair cut I can use a little product and go!
Early in my Image Consultant training my teacher showed me her consultant favorite 16-Point Test commonly used by stylists to show their clients some ways they can have a put together image and perfectly groomed. Basically, you get a point for each of these things:
- Did you do your makeup?
- Style your hair?
- Get compliments on your hair?
- Manicure?
- Pedicure?
- Fresh manicure and pedicure
- Earrings?
- Makeup done?
- Necklace?
- Scarf?
- Other jewelry?
- Hat
- Bag
- Belt
- Watch
- Ring
It’s surprising how these little touches makes our image so much better. It’s pretty easy for me now to hit my 16 points. I always do my makeup, make sure my nails are presentable — although not always fresh — etc. My hair is always styled, even though I don’t use a curling iron. I used texturizing spray and a round brush to style it. I also love a little shine spray — it’s great for blonde hair.
Additional Points from Your Image Consultant
As a consultant, I might also a few other points to my survey…they are more basic. They refer to hygiene. Believe it or not, not everyone aspires to the same level of cleanliness. I have been asked to be a consultant to employees whose supervisor did not want to have this difficult conversation.
Let’s Get Real For A Second
As your consultant, I will tell you, you need to shower every day. You need to wear deodorant. You need to brush your teeth and use mouthwash. On top of that, flossing teeth daily helps ward off bad breath. Another often overlooked grooming tool is skin care. Wash your makeup off at night, and use a mild scrub to get rid of dead skin on your face. As a former makeup artist and consultant, I did many airbrush makeup applications on brides and their bridal parties. I can tell immediately if someone does not cleanse properly or exfoliate routinely. You can see the dead skin on their face. I once talked to an airbrush artist at a salon I went to, and she said they always did an exfoliate mask on every bride to create the surface they needed for beautiful airbrush.
Obviously, if you’re going to work and and exercise first thing in the morning. Please take a shower afterwards and make sure your hair is at least partially dry. Your co-workers will be thankful you did.
Here is the form, if you’d like to try it. 16 point checklist
Keep it sassy, Indy.
Beth Divine Style, AICI Certified Image Consultant, MA
