Some say you're born with it; we say the secret lies in a classic beauty routine.
Find Your Beauty Uniform
Makeup artist Sonia Kashuk says a go-to eye and lip combo is key for looking pulled-together. "The colors should be pretty and modern but not overly trendy." Her equivalent of a tailored blouse and slim pants: smoky brown eyes and sheer rose lips.
Practice Your Posture
The goal is to be perfect yet natural. "You don't need to be erect and stiff to be taken seriously," says image coach Patti Wood. "Stand with your feet 4-6 inches apart, then imagine a balloon tied to the top of your head pulling everything up ever so slightly."
Manage Your Mani
Even if it's from the constant tapping on your Blackberry, chipped nails suggest pure laziness. For polish as strong as your work ethic, go to a Dashing Diva salon for a Gelife manicure. The salons replace traditional lacquer with two coats of gel heated under a UV light for high-shine results that last two weeks.
Be Generous With Your Fragrance
The woman who wears big glasses, carries the It bag and never has a hair out of place also makes a bold statement with her perfume. That means wearing scent 24/7—even with a T-shirt and jeans.
Lose The Shine
When makeup artists use the word "polished" to describe skin texture, that means a flawless finish that's neither dewy nor overly powdered. To get the look, try a foundation with micronized powders to control oil production and leave skin matte but not dry-looking.
Update Your Hair Accessories
The next time you pull your hair into a pony, channel Jackie Kennedy and reach for a tortoise barrette instead of an elastic. It gives the youthful style more sophistication.
Plan Ahead
Tired of being the girl with split ends and unruly brows? We asked our equally busy yet impeccably groomed co-worker to dish her secret. Her tip: Take an hour every few months to book professional services in advance. This helps you get organized, nab the most coveted time slots, and plan for when your colorist goes on vacation.
Stock Up On Hairspray
This versatile and underappreciated product guarantees great hair every day, says stylist Sarah Potempa. "If your hair is dirty or limp, mist the roots and blast with a blow-dryer for a few seconds; tame frizz by spraying it directly onto your brush."
Leave Your Flatiron At Work
Whether you take the freeway or the subway, a long commute can wreak havoc on your hair. Stylist David Evangelista suggests keeping a flatiron stashed in your desk for a quick office touch-up.
Become A Morning Person
In a perfect world we would all clock our share of Z's and wake up bright-eyed to start the day. But in fact, statistics show that less than 30 percent of us get enough sleep. To help the bleary-eyed among us: a wake-up light that mimics a sunrise to help the process feel more natural and a whole lot less painful than an abrupt "BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!"
source: 10 Ways to Look More Polished (InStyle, 2009.09)
