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Susan Boyle Makeover – Perfection!

April 25, 2009 By 5 Comments

   

O.k, it has been a few weeks now since we have heard about the British phenomenon singing sensation Susan Boyle.  Many have piped in about her potential makeover and I have to confess  as I was watching her YouTube Video online I too was secretly wishing I could make some changes to her appearance. 

I couldn’t quite get past the conflicting images that I was seeing with her lace dress,  furry eyebrows, and soft wavy hair.  I wanted to change something, but honestly not much.  I am a huge proponent of staying true to your style personality.  Thus the conflict.  I couldn’t decide just  by looking at her who she really was. 

Was she ‘feminine and romantic’ (lace dress), or was she sporty(no makeup, no fuss hair style)?   There were several “options” presented with different hairstyles, but to me they just made her look like someone else, not the sporty person I was seeing.

What I saw was person with a passion and love of the arts.  Someone who was more interested in singing than anything else.  Clothing for her was simply a covering for her body and didn’t represent who she really was.  Everyone (audience to judges) discounted her talent based on her physical appearance.  If this isn’t an example of the power of first impressions NOTHING is!

I saw a gamine face.  The judges even called her “cheeky“.  Did you see how she swiveled her hips in a playful, funway?  Did you notice how she marched off the stage in a determined way?  This lady is about FUN.  Her natural, outdoorsy look, was represented in her free, uncoiffed hairstyle.

I go on record saying that I LOVE her makeover.  She appears fun, vibrant, current for her style personality, and all together comfortable with her new look.  The leather is hip not stuffy, her hair is still easy with some simple style and her eyebrows trimmed show off her pretty brown eyes.

I say WELL DONE! 

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Posted by: Karen Hughes, Founder of Image Assets, an Image Consulting Firm serving the Alpharetta and Metro Atlanta areas. As a seasoned certified image consultant, Karen follows a simple philosophy: educate, empower, and enrich the lives of her clients. Her philosophy is enmeshed throughout her practice and can be observed in her workshops, clinics, and one-on-one consultations. Her energetic and interactive style makes her a sought-after training resource for organizations and individuals alike. Even the most difficult topics seem effortless for Karen as she tackles such challenges as professional etiquette, business dress personal image and body shape.
Filed Under: Articles, Makeover Tagged With: , ,

Haircut Survey Results

April 23, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Recently, I conducted a small “unscientific” survey to find out how much men and women spend on haircuts.  Not surprising, everyone wants a great haircut at a good price. 

What I found most interesting was that respondents who were classified in Academics spent more on their haircuts than Consultants.  IT professionals spent the least and those in Sales spent the most.  Those in the Creative field were split evenly between $20-25 and $40-45 per haircut.  Maybe “creatives” are more likely to try out a new salon or maybe they are a ‘spur of the minute’, gotta get it now kind of person.  It is interesting and something to ponder.  Enjoy the rest of the results.

Overall Price Paid:                              Age – Group (age of respondents)

38% $20-25 25-34 50% spent $40-45
30% $30-35   50% spent $20-25
15% $40-45 35-54 50% spent   $20-25
15% $50   25% spent $30-35
0% $75   13% spent $40-45
      13% spent $50+


Price paid per haircut Male : Female

100% Male $30-35
20% Female $20-25
20% Female $30-35
20% Female $40-45
40% Female $50+

From the data above, one might assume that once a male finds a hairstylist they like they stick with them.  Most men  schedule regular haircuts about every 4-6 weeks and therefore may have a more consistent relationship with their stylist than women and not be as apt to move.  What are your thoughts?

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Posted by: Karen Hughes, Founder of Image Assets, an Image Consulting Firm serving the Alpharetta and Metro Atlanta areas. As a seasoned certified image consultant, Karen follows a simple philosophy: educate, empower, and enrich the lives of her clients. Her philosophy is enmeshed throughout her practice and can be observed in her workshops, clinics, and one-on-one consultations. Her energetic and interactive style makes her a sought-after training resource for organizations and individuals alike. Even the most difficult topics seem effortless for Karen as she tackles such challenges as professional etiquette, business dress personal image and body shape.
Filed Under: Hairstyle, Makeover Tagged With:

Image and the College Graduate – Get Hired!

April 11, 2009 By Leave a Comment

It’s that time of year again.  Graduation from College is a milestone that is both exhilarating and scary.  From the day that you walked through the doors of your first class until now, everything was leading to this point.  Now what??? 

If you have been coached by your advisers properly, you should have a resume that shows all of your best qualities.  You are absolutely the best candidate and feel confident that your resume speaks to your abilities to do the job.  You are getting ready to tackle that interview, but what do you wear?  You may ask yourself, “does it really matter”?  I answer with a resounding YES-simply YES.  It is the key to you being able to show what you’ve got. 

Follow the simple rules of business etiquette and personal presence and you’ve taken the first step toward separating yourself from the crowd of others just like you getting that first job.  It is in the details and image does really matter-you’ve heard it said “a picture is worth a 1,000 words”.  Make your picture worth remembering.

  1. Hair should be clean and well groomed
  2. Clothes should be clean and pressed
  3. Minimal make-up
  4. Nice pen (nothing plastic)
  5. Clean, well-heeled, polished shoes (no scuff marks)
  6. Men no earrings, 1 watch and 1 ring if you wear a ring
  7. Women-minimal jewelry, no multiple piercings or bracelets
  8. Always think in terms of 3 pieces (jacket being your third piece)
  9. Skirts worn to knees and with hoisery
  10. No capri length pants
  11. Men socks should be to the knee (don’t want to see your legs)
  12. Men 2 piece matched suit is appropriate
  13. Sports coat and high quality wool slacks where appropriate
  14. Women 2-3 inch heels appropriate (if you can’t walk comfortably wear shorter heels)
  15. Belts and shoes should match
  16. Women if you have long hair (below shoulders) tie it back to the nape of your neck or pull it up
  17. Men be clean shaven-2 or 3 day stubble is not appropriate (people look to your facial expression and facial hair can hide this)
  18. No perfume or cologne
  19. Leave the cellphone in the car
  20. Small portfolio or briefcase (briefcase can act as your handbag)

It goes without saying that you must always prepare for the interview.  This means to research the company that you are interviewing with.  Some companies are more formal than others.  You would want to know this.  Finally, when you are dressed appropriately to manage your first impressions, you are more confident and it shows.  You will be more relaxed and the concerns are no longer about you but how you can help this company meet their objectives.

Good luck and may the best person “GET HIRED”!

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Posted by: Karen Hughes, Founder of Image Assets, an Image Consulting Firm serving the Alpharetta and Metro Atlanta areas. As a seasoned certified image consultant, Karen follows a simple philosophy: educate, empower, and enrich the lives of her clients. Her philosophy is enmeshed throughout her practice and can be observed in her workshops, clinics, and one-on-one consultations. Her energetic and interactive style makes her a sought-after training resource for organizations and individuals alike. Even the most difficult topics seem effortless for Karen as she tackles such challenges as professional etiquette, business dress personal image and body shape.
Filed Under: Business Wardrobe, Interview Skills Tagged With: , ,

Functional Foundations – Wardrobe Success

April 6, 2009 By 1 Comment

In order for your wardrobe to really work for you, you must know where you stand with your functional foundation pieces.  The functional foundation of your wardrobe is your “capsule”.  It gives you the support you need to express yourself in a more creative way. 

 No matter what your style personality, your capsule will include the same functional pieces.  They just may be designed differently.  So, what is it that a functional foundation, your capsule should include?  Below are the pieces we recommend.

  • 1 dress
  • 3-piece suit (jacket, pant, skirt)
  • 5-tops (vary necklines, sleeve lengths, colors)
  • 1-White collared shirt
  • 4-5 shoes (pump, boot, strappy heel, flat)
  • 2 Jeans (dark are more versatile-1 to wear with heels, 1 to wear with flats)
  • 1 novelty jacket (suede, leather, a uniqe piece that will coordinate with your tops and other items in capsule)
  • 1 handbag or tote (neutral, high quality, perhaps designer)

If you begin with a capsule such as the above, you will find that you will spend less time getting dressed each day. You will realize a greater benefit and less frustration from your wardrobe. It will “work” for you in multiple lifestyle events and you will always feel pulled together.

“Look good, feel great and have fun doing it”

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Posted by: Karen Hughes, Founder of Image Assets, an Image Consulting Firm serving the Alpharetta and Metro Atlanta areas. As a seasoned certified image consultant, Karen follows a simple philosophy: educate, empower, and enrich the lives of her clients. Her philosophy is enmeshed throughout her practice and can be observed in her workshops, clinics, and one-on-one consultations. Her energetic and interactive style makes her a sought-after training resource for organizations and individuals alike. Even the most difficult topics seem effortless for Karen as she tackles such challenges as professional etiquette, business dress personal image and body shape.
Filed Under: Articles, How To, Wardrobe Tagged With: , ,

“Packaged for Success”

April 4, 2009 By Leave a Comment

I spoke to a group of high school juniors and seniors this week and what an inspiration they are.  They are highly motivated and excited to ‘get on’ with life.  My goal in talking to them was to speak about the importance communications plays in their overall success in life. 

Most of us think that communication is simply the words we say.  Sure, we communicate when we speak.  But, we also communicate by how we live our lives (our character).  We communicate in the way that we write and we communicate when we listen (or not).  Finally, we communicate by how we show up. 

In a well known study by Albert Mehrabian, it was discovered that in order for your words to be absorbed by the listener, they have to be “packaged” completely.  It is not only the written word, but also the tone in which it is delivered.  Most importantly 55% of words being delivered are being received first through body language.  Non-verbal queues.

So, what is it that you are communicating?  Are you communicating that you are bored?  Are you actively engaged?  Do you have good eye contact?  What are communicating when you show up by the way you are dressed?  Are you ready to get business going by your attire or are you ready to play?  Are your clothes cleaned and pressed?  Shoes clean and shined or dirty and scuffed?  Ladies are you ready for business or showing too much skin?  Do you have too much cologne or make up on? Remember, it is all in the ‘packaging’. 

Package yourself for success and those around you will sense your energy and desire for success.  Dream of success.  Learn to “live well, speak well, write well, listen well.” - communicate well.  Package yourself for success everyday.  Learn to communicate well and your dreams will come true.

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Posted by: Karen Hughes, Founder of Image Assets, an Image Consulting Firm serving the Alpharetta and Metro Atlanta areas. As a seasoned certified image consultant, Karen follows a simple philosophy: educate, empower, and enrich the lives of her clients. Her philosophy is enmeshed throughout her practice and can be observed in her workshops, clinics, and one-on-one consultations. Her energetic and interactive style makes her a sought-after training resource for organizations and individuals alike. Even the most difficult topics seem effortless for Karen as she tackles such challenges as professional etiquette, business dress personal image and body shape.
Filed Under: Articles, First Impresions Tagged With: , , ,