Try one of the 5 Quick Styles For A Wash n Go!
from beauty hair http://ift.tt/1mYFWhg
Sunday, January 3, 2016
5 Quick Styles For A Wash n Go
Ismail oubarka | 1:36 PM
Try one of the 5 Quick Styles For A Wash n Go!
from beauty hair http://ift.tt/1mYFWhg
Thick Haired Girls Rejoice! The Bobby Pin of Your Dreams is Here!
Ismail oubarka | 7:57 AM
Not long ago, I expressed my intention to experiment with heated rollers. Within 48 hours of writing the post, I was standing in the aisles of Target looking for a set of ceramic rollers. Although I was dead set on only purchasing what I came in there for, something else immediately caught my eye.
For the past few weeks, I was on a mission to replace yet another claw clip sturdy enough to hold my thick hair. Unfortunately, most claw clips snap like a twig whenever they're tasked with having to secure the bulk of my hair.
Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a tiny package of the weirdest looking hair pins I've ever seen. Apparently they were bobby pins that were designed to perform differently than your traditional hair pins.
Can we talk about my love/hate relationship with bobby pins for a minute? Every quarter, I make a run to the beauty supply store to stock up on hair pins. Without fail, every hair pin I purchase either gets lost, is stretched out of shape or becomes worthless after losing one of the plastic tips. And, honestly, the typical hair pin isn't strong enough to hold my hair anymore.
The new bobbie pins sat on my dresser for over a week as I contemplated whether I should return them like I did the hot rollers. I couldn't tell by looking at them if they were going to snag or pull my hair. Truthfully, I was intimidated by the design and thought I had wasted my money yet again.
Then, I decided to overcome my fears and just go for it. I put my old hair pin down and grabbed one of these "black bobby slides" instead. The bobby slid into my hair with such ease. And, best of all, it really secured my hair, not just pinned it in place. Normally, a hair pin will loosen its hold on my hair as time goes by, but not these bobbies! Once it's in place, it's in place! And I seriously doubt that these bad boys will ever lose their shape.
And the very best thing I love about this ingenious pieces of art is how they slide out of the hair just as easily as they go in. No snagging, no breakage. They may look intimidating, but they're really a snap to use. The only qualm I have about them is that the colored coating chips a little too quickly for my taste. But, aside from that, these bobby slides are a God send.
Goody bobbies are far superior to hair pins when it comes to recreating hair styles. Yesterday, I wore my hair like this with the help of the magnificent bobbies. Once I pinned everything to one side, my hair stayed in place all day and looked amazing. They are, by far, one of my favorite hair accessory purchases of the year.
from Relaxed Hair Health http://ift.tt/1RiPHlv
For the past few weeks, I was on a mission to replace yet another claw clip sturdy enough to hold my thick hair. Unfortunately, most claw clips snap like a twig whenever they're tasked with having to secure the bulk of my hair.
Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a tiny package of the weirdest looking hair pins I've ever seen. Apparently they were bobby pins that were designed to perform differently than your traditional hair pins.
Can we talk about my love/hate relationship with bobby pins for a minute? Every quarter, I make a run to the beauty supply store to stock up on hair pins. Without fail, every hair pin I purchase either gets lost, is stretched out of shape or becomes worthless after losing one of the plastic tips. And, honestly, the typical hair pin isn't strong enough to hold my hair anymore.
The new bobbie pins sat on my dresser for over a week as I contemplated whether I should return them like I did the hot rollers. I couldn't tell by looking at them if they were going to snag or pull my hair. Truthfully, I was intimidated by the design and thought I had wasted my money yet again.
Then, I decided to overcome my fears and just go for it. I put my old hair pin down and grabbed one of these "black bobby slides" instead. The bobby slid into my hair with such ease. And, best of all, it really secured my hair, not just pinned it in place. Normally, a hair pin will loosen its hold on my hair as time goes by, but not these bobbies! Once it's in place, it's in place! And I seriously doubt that these bad boys will ever lose their shape.
And the very best thing I love about this ingenious pieces of art is how they slide out of the hair just as easily as they go in. No snagging, no breakage. They may look intimidating, but they're really a snap to use. The only qualm I have about them is that the colored coating chips a little too quickly for my taste. But, aside from that, these bobby slides are a God send.
Goody bobbies are far superior to hair pins when it comes to recreating hair styles. Yesterday, I wore my hair like this with the help of the magnificent bobbies. Once I pinned everything to one side, my hair stayed in place all day and looked amazing. They are, by far, one of my favorite hair accessory purchases of the year.
from Relaxed Hair Health http://ift.tt/1RiPHlv
Saturday, January 2, 2016
4 Signs a Long Term Transition to Natural Hair Isn't for You
Ismail oubarka | 12:05 PM
Photo by NADOFOTOS -- Getty Images
by Amanda
Transitioning is not for everyone. Like many, I also wanted to seamlessly transition to a full head of natural coils in two years, only to find myself with scissors in front of a mirror ten months later. Washing, detangling, and styling my hair had become unbearably challenging in my later months. My schedule began to revolve around my hair and I had to realize that it is not that serious.
Hair means something different to each individual, but stress and frustration should not. Transitioning is ideal for someone who is patient, busy, and enjoys the simple things in life. I understand the discomfort of wearing a length you do not or are not ready to accept, but consider these four things to decide if a healthy transition is possible for you.
1. Your relaxed hair is shoulder length or shorter
The longer your hair, the easier it is to transition. Gathering your hair into a bun and creating updos are easier with longer hair and more challenging with shorter hair. When your hair is shoulder length or shorter, it is prone to grow outward, especially with Type 4 hair, making it more challenging to style since the new growth will start to dictate the way you style your hair. Wet set styling like roller sets are the best options for hair shoulder length or shorter.
If you are not transitioning with roller set styles, then your styling options are limited along with your style longevity. Extension twists, braids, and wigs are great options for extremely low maintenance and manipulation, especially as styling is difficult with your short hair. Remember that keeping your hair and scalp clean and moisturized are essential for retaining the most length. Buildup can cause dryness that leads to breakage.
2. You can’t stick to low manipulation
If you like styling your hair more than once a week or have to wash it more than once a week, then big chopping may be the better option. All forms of manipulation cause tension on the line of demarcation, which leads to breakage.
Another thing to be mindful of is your hairline. If you cannot bear to leave the house without your edges being layed, then transitioning is certainly not the best option for your hair and scalp. Constantly brushing your edges and nape can cause breakage at the roots and traction alopecia. If you insist on smoothing your edges, try styling your hair the night before. Smooth your edges with your hands and a little product, cover it in a satin scarf, and remove it in the morning for a sleek finish.
After transitioning for ten months, I decided to big chop. When I would detangle in the shower, I could not decipher between the shed hair and breakage covering my back every wash day, so in order to reduce the potential for further damage and potential split ends, I cut my hair shortly after and never looked back.
4. Detangling is a disaster
Wet hair is weaker than dry hair and dry hair is not elastic enough for detangling. The perfect medium is damp hair. When detangling has become so complicated that even the conditioners and detangling products with the most slip cannot help you unravel your strands, then it may be time to cut.
It is important to thoroughly detangle your hair, including the roots. Shed hair intertwined with hair that is still attached to the scalp can cause matting at the roots. A transitioning detangling tool kit includes a wide tooth comb, spray bottle, sectioning clips, conditioner or detangling product, and patience. Take your time and relax.
Did you big chop before you wanted to?
from beauty hair http://ift.tt/1kAP2in
Why Eggs & Mayo DON'T Work as a Natural Protein Treatment
Ismail oubarka | 12:05 PM
Many women prefer to turn to DIY hair products because they know exactly what they are putting on their hair. That is certainly a viable route, but it is important to be knowledgeable about even these natural ingredients so that you can make informed decisions about what you're placing on your hair and body.
Take for example, the popular eggs and mayonnaise treatments you have probably heard of, maybe even tried.
Many women know and love the egg and mayo treatment because it’s easy, affordable, and it’s a way to get a quick dose of protein. But did you know that the protein in your eggs and mayo don’t work like that?
"The protein in eggs are too large to fit into the hair shaft."
The protein in eggs has amino acids that are too large to fit into the hair shaft and bond properly. Mayonnaise possesses a lot of lubricating oils so if you've tried this treatment you've probably experienced softer hair, but the benefits of the eggs in mayonnaise are lost on your hair as they too have not been hydrolized. Proteins must by hydrolyzed or broken down so that the amino acids will be small enough to fit, bond, and provide the hair with strength through temporarily repairing the hair.
What is Hydrolysis?
Hydrolysis is the decomposition that changes a compound into other smaller compounds by taking up the elements of water. In other words, the compound has undergone a chemical breakdown due to a reaction with water, which is conducted by cosmetic chemist in a lab. By hydrolyzing the protein it becomes small enough to fill into the cracks of your hair’s shaft.
Hydrolysis is the decomposition that changes a compound into other smaller compounds by taking up the elements of water. In other words, the compound has undergone a chemical breakdown due to a reaction with water, which is conducted by cosmetic chemist in a lab. By hydrolyzing the protein it becomes small enough to fill into the cracks of your hair’s shaft.
THE BENEFITS OF HYDROLIZED KERATIN PROTEIN
90% of your hair is keratin protein. The protein we consume aids in creating keratin protein for your skin and hair, and once the hair emerges from its follicle what you consume no longer affects its appearance. Here’s where we see the damage as a result of our manipulation from styling, maintenance, heat usage, sun exposure, weather elements, and dyes. We can temporarily replace that chipped away keratin using hair products containing the smaller, hydrolyzed proteins that absorb into the hair’s cortex and fills in those chipped spaces.
Keratin is the strongest protein found in hair products and it will strengthen all layers of the hair in the cuticle, cortex, and medulla. Hydrolyzed protein is important because it penetrates the hair shaft and reduces the breakage. Due to the moisture binding capabilities of hydrolyzed keratin protein, your hair's moisture content increases and restores your hair’s body, luster, and manageability.
90% of your hair is keratin protein. The protein we consume aids in creating keratin protein for your skin and hair, and once the hair emerges from its follicle what you consume no longer affects its appearance. Here’s where we see the damage as a result of our manipulation from styling, maintenance, heat usage, sun exposure, weather elements, and dyes. We can temporarily replace that chipped away keratin using hair products containing the smaller, hydrolyzed proteins that absorb into the hair’s cortex and fills in those chipped spaces.
Keratin is the strongest protein found in hair products and it will strengthen all layers of the hair in the cuticle, cortex, and medulla. Hydrolyzed protein is important because it penetrates the hair shaft and reduces the breakage. Due to the moisture binding capabilities of hydrolyzed keratin protein, your hair's moisture content increases and restores your hair’s body, luster, and manageability.
Common hydrolyzed proteins:
- Hydrolyzed wheat protein (most popular in hair products)
- Hydrolyzed oat protein
- Hydrolyzed silk protein
- Hydrolyzed soy protein
- Hydrolyzed quinoa
- Hydrolyzed collagen
A lot of these hydrolyzed proteins are found in protein treatments and deep conditioners. Although they are great for your hair, you don’t want to use them too often as too much protein can make your hair brittle and break. Products with hydrolyzed protein can be incorporated into your regimen about once a month (or less if you don’t do a lot of damage to your tresses).
Products with Hydrolyzed Proteins:
Products with Hydrolyzed Proteins:
- Jane Carter Hydrating Invigorating Shampoo
- Oyin Handmade Honey Hemp Conditioner
- Aphogee Two-Step Protein Treatment
- Karen’s Body Beautiful Hold It Hair Gel w/ Argan Oil
Hydrolyzed Protein Will NOT Repair Your Hair
This isn’t the magic ingredient that will eliminate the need for trims. Also, hydrolyzed keratin protein is not a permanent fix for damaged hair or split ends. The protein is merely temporarily attached to the hair, and will eventually rinse away. These products will only decrease the frequency at which you may need a trim, given the damage does not compromise it’s effectiveness.
Do you use protein treatment? Which ones and how often do you use them?
This isn’t the magic ingredient that will eliminate the need for trims. Also, hydrolyzed keratin protein is not a permanent fix for damaged hair or split ends. The protein is merely temporarily attached to the hair, and will eventually rinse away. These products will only decrease the frequency at which you may need a trim, given the damage does not compromise it’s effectiveness.
from beauty hair http://ift.tt/1PDE07j
Vogue: What’s Your Beauty Vice or Virtue? 6 It Girls Share Their Goals For the New Year; Cipriana Quann
Ismail oubarka | 11:57 AM
via: Vogue
by Lilah Ramzi
Photo: Xavier Scott Marshall
There’s a certain power in the idea of what a new lipstick shade holds. Each test swipe on the back of the hand ushers in a fresh wave of optimism; with this lip color, a stroke of fortune, a good date, or a promotion just might follow. Never are these feelings more potent than on the first days of the new year, but as the saying goes, one must make room for the good by clearing out the bad. That might mean rethinking the contents of an overflowing drawer stuffed with once-used products or infusing a favorite makeup routine with a bold new blush or eyeliner. To get us started, six It girls reveal the beauty vices they plan on leaving behind and the virtues they plan to embrace in 2016.
Cipriana Quann
The Beauty Virtue:
“More rest! Due to my schedule, I sometimes (okay, often) neglect the proper amount of sleep, even going to the extremes of all-nighters (I know, I know, no bueno). The results immediately affect my energy level and condition of my skin, leading to some exorcist-scary breakouts. Sleep is important to our health, and when I have an adequate amount of zzz’s my body not only thanks me but my skin literally glows.”
The Beauty Vice:
“When it comes to makeup, I tend to be”…to find out the beauty vice I am leaving behind this year and the complete list of Vogue’s “What’s Your Beauty Vice or Virtue? 6 It Girls Share Their Goals For the New Year” visit vogue.com here
from Urban Bush Babes http://ift.tt/1R3EkPL
Christina's Choice 2015: Best Treatments for Damaged Hair
Ismail oubarka | 9:25 AM
2015 was an interesting year for my hair. With the red hair color from late 2014 and black hair in late 2015, my hair experienced twice over the difficulty of maintaining healthy, color treated hair.
As I've written here, here, and here, dye impacts the hair's porosity, strength, and ability to retain moisture. It can also impact your curl pattern -- something very few bloggers are willing to admit (for whatever reason). As I've said before, color is customized damage.
Although maintaining color treated hair is a challenge, it's nowhere near a natural hair death sentence -- especially with the right products. Without further delay, allow me to re-introduce the three products that helped me keep my hair on my head in 2015:
In November of 2014, I had a problem. It seemed like every time I touched my hair, little red wisps ended up in my hand. On top of that, my curls were starting to look all loosey goosey. It was then that I realized what a good protein treatment could do for curls, in terms of clapping back against color damage. I'll be the first to admit that the smell ain't all that (but it bothers me wayyyy less because of how much I've used it throughout 2015), and it definitely contains mineral oil as the 4th ingredient after water. But you know what? I don't have time to be stank about it. My curls needed some serious help, and ApHogee came through in the clutch. No ingredient snobbery necessary
My ApHogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor Review
Zotos 180PRO Miracle Repair Damage Eliminator, 6oz/$10
My love affair with Zotos Professional began in early 2015, seeking out this exact product. Whenever I would take a field trip to Sally's, this stuff was never on the shelf. Like, perpetually out of stock. So I did what most product junkies do -- played my tiny violin on their Instagram page. From there, Jodi and the amaaaazing Zotos team sent me major care package love. There are some other pretty dope products in the 180PRO line (like the Rapid Restorer Rinse Out Balm and Total Taming Foaming Smoother), but the Miracle Repair Damage Eliminator is bae. The first reason is because I get to leave it in. All of my other treatments are rinsed out. I have a deep appreciation for a high-powered protein cocktail that I can leave in my hair to prevent breakage. Two, it works phenomenally without interfering with my other products. Miracle Repair Damage Eliminator does not dry out my curls, cause flaking, or any other drama. The third and most awesome reason why I love this product? It protects the ends of my hair like nobody's business. I've received several comments on Instagram complementing the ends of my hair. My ends are healthy, non-scraggly, and curl/wave beautifully. That's all Miracle Repair Damage Eliminator, no lie. It truly does maintain the health and integrity of my curls beyond wash day. Review coming soon!
Roux Porosity Control Corrector & Conditioner, 10.1oz/$10
Let me just start by saying this: dry curls ain't cute. Never have been, never will be. My awareness of this reached new levels after I got my hair dyed red in late 2014. My porosity levels were always awkward (anybody remember my never-ending battle with rough ends post chop?), and the hair color only exacerbated the situation. Instead of just my ends feeling rough, the majority of my strands started feeling janky in 2015. They weren't breaking off (thanks to ApHogee and Miracle Repair Damage Eliminator), but my curls weren't exactly being all they could be. I stumbled into a local beauty supply store, discovered Roux Porosity Control Corrector & Conditioner, and haven't looked back since. My curls are shinier, smoother, retain moisture better, and have an extra spring in their step. The smell is strong, but the Porosity Control Corrector & Conditioner works in literally 30 seconds. You can do anything for 30 seconds. Well, almost anything. Trust me -- this 30 seconds is well worth it.
My Roux Porosity Control Corrector & Conditioner Review
Coloring Natural Hair Q&A
5 Must-Haves for Color Treated Curls
All things considered, the Desert Island Pick award goes to.....
 |
| SLAY! |
What special damaged hair treatments are winning with you into 2016? Let me know in the comments below!
Up next: Leave-In Conditioners!
Check out all of the 2014 Christina's Choice winners here!
Keep up with the Christina's Choice 2015 winners here!
from The Mane Objective http://ift.tt/1JlCdV9
5 Reasons to get Glam everyday
Ismail oubarka | 8:47 AM
We've talked a lot about the art of presenting the best version of yourself to the world each day. Recently, I discussed the "Piece de Resistance" method of selecting one aspect of yourself to focus on so we look amazing whenever we leave the house.
Today, I want to take you to the other end of the spectrum.
Last Thursday, I stood in line at the post office waiting to speak to an attendant. In walks a young lady. Her hair was immaculate. Outfit was simple but on point. Skin was flawless and makeup, perfection. I'm in the post office pretty regularly and every once in a while, someone strolls in looking put together from head to toe.
These are the people who invest a bit more effort into their personal appearance routine. The people you notice immediately when they walk into a room. For the sake of this conversation. I'll refer to them as being glammed up. Glammed simply means that the individual has invested a bit more time and energy into their personal presentation. You can create your own definition of what that means for you. We all know how to look our best. But, chances are, we do it ONLY when the occasion calls for it.
But there are others, who make it a habit to look amazing on a daily basis. The people I'm referring to make this a way of life. So I asked myself....why would someone do that? Does it make sense to look your absolute best each and every day?
Before I get into the reasons why it could make sense for you, let me make it clear that getting glammed up is NOT something you have to do. It's a choice. And like all choices, there are pros and cons. At first, I wondered why anyone would place that much focus on looking good. But after getting to know and observing a few people who are glammed up on a regular basis, I can understand why they chose the glammed lifestyle.
Based on my observation, looking amazing could be very advantageous. Here are a few examples:
1. DRESSING WELL BRINGS BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES. I sat in a success conference next to a guy and his girlfriend. The guy sat directly next to me and we chatted during the break over the things we had in common. He told me about his mastermind group and I shared with him ways he could achieve his intention of meditating daily. At one point he got up to make phone calls. To not seem rude, I introduced myself to his girlfriend. Let's call her Lacey. She was tall with a blonde pixie and rocked a bold red lip. Her look very similar to the image below. We started talking about why she attended the conference and what she wanted to create in her life. Within minutes of us chatting I picked up on some areas of self doubt and low confidence based on her communication and body language. Immediately, my mind switched to coaching mode. With her permission, we did some work to quickly identify the source of her resistance.
While we were in conversation, quite a few people came up to introduce themselves to her. Some knew her well, others reminded her of the time they crossed paths long ago. Many of them invited Lacey to another function or talked about their businesses with her. Lacey's laid back nature allowed others to lead the conversation. She was a hair stylist and make up artist looking to move from L.A. I told her that if she did relocate, she'd could have a full client list quickly. People were absolutely drawn to her. If she mastered the art of marketing herself, she could have a long waiting list of clients.
Lacey's story illustrates the nature of human behavior. We're visual creatures drawn by what we see. If you are (or want to be) in a business that involves a lot of 1 on 1 marketing/relationship building, looking your best will make it absolutely easier. Imagine....all you have to do is walk into a room and people will instantly start wondering who you are and what you do. Many will spark up conversation with you just out of pure curiosity. Attracting business leads will be a breeze.
I love to tell the story of how my friend broke into the Marketing Industry. She was working a normal job when in walks a woman who looked very different than their typical customer. My friend couldn't not let the woman leave the store without finding out more about her. Turns out this International Woman of Mystery owned her own Marketing company. They exchanged information and soon my friend entered the world of Public Relations and Marketing. From the woman's perspective. All she did was walk into a store looking her absolute best. Because of doing so, she was rewarded with an excellent hire. Honestly, if she had walked in looking like everyone else, their exchange would have been no different than any of the other customers and her business wouldn't have been positively impacted.
{Try this experiment. Go out looking a bit more put together than you would normally. Notice how people relate to you differently}
2. If you have high career aspirations, it's almost a requirement that you elevate your personal presentation. In the corporate world, you are assessed by (1) The quality of your work. (2). Your leadership potential (3) Your personal presentation. You best believe that when the higher ups talk about you behind closed doors, appearance could be a topic of conversation. Believe me. I've been a part of hundreds of talent management discussions and appearance is a factor. Think about it, you're assessed on how you present yourself on the day you were interviewed. What makes you think that it's not still happening?
I got into the workforce later than most and I had high ambitions. Because of this, I instituted the practice of planning my wardrobe for the week on Sunday. I wasn't making a lot of money so I had to get creative with my combinations. After a couple of weeks of doing so, the Director tells me, in a casual conversation, that I always dress so well. Truth was that I didn't always dress well. But after making the commitment to being intentional in my appearance, I was noticed. Over the next few years I received multiple promotions. Much of that had to do with my tireless work ethic. But, I also maintained a strict rule of never wearing jeans on casual Friday's and always out dressing my counterparts.
As I studied those women "who's bad days are considered other people's good days," the most interesting reason why one woman chose her glammed up lifestyle was to deal with her depression. 3. She understood the power of our external appearance and how it impacts our internal emotions. Plain and simple. If you look good, you'll feel even better. Case in point, several people cosigned with the arguments I made in the "paint your nails, change your life" post. If painting your nails can have that much of an impact, imagine how amazing it feels to present the best version of yourself each and every day.
In 2016, I'll be experimenting with getting fully dressed for work even when I have absolutely no where to go. My intention is to see what impact this has on my motivation levels, productivity and fearlessness. Could this simple tweak have a direct impact on my financial results? If so, I want in!
4. If you want to bring new people/new experiences into your life in 2016, getting glammed is probably the easiest way to do it. A friend of mine keeps herself on point at all times. People naturally gravitate to her. Anytime we meet up, she's always like "wanna go this event happing in a couple of hours?" Or "hey I just received a text to do this thing....wanna go with me?"
Anytime I meet with her, I have to ready for anything! There's always some get together, or networking opportunity that comes her way. One life lesson I learned from hanging out with her is that if I want to attract new people and experiences in my life, I have to dress for it! As a matter of fact, I secured my first speaking gig of the year because the opportunity came her way and I took full advantage. Perhaps in 2016, I'll be able to attract amazing experiences into my life just by making an effort to present myself as the type of person others are attracted to.
5. To feel comfortable being the center of attention. Actually, part of the reason why I choose to dress down is to avoid any unnecessary attention. Sometimes I just want to be in stealth mode, fading into the background. This notion of getting glammed goes against my desire to be completely invisible. But, I have to ask myself, "am I avoiding the discomfort of standing out in a room full of people?" "Does it make me uncomfortable knowing that I will automatically draw the attention of others simply by how I look?" If so, then I have to decide whether I want to continue holding on to this fear or if I wish to release it. Do I want to be the type of person who's just as comfortable in jeans and a tee as I am wearing my Sunday best on a Wednesday.
Again, you get to decide what glam means for you. There's no rule book. It's about looking and feeling your absolute best and enjoying the reward of doing so.
from Relaxed Hair Health http://ift.tt/1YWgdXT
Today, I want to take you to the other end of the spectrum.
Last Thursday, I stood in line at the post office waiting to speak to an attendant. In walks a young lady. Her hair was immaculate. Outfit was simple but on point. Skin was flawless and makeup, perfection. I'm in the post office pretty regularly and every once in a while, someone strolls in looking put together from head to toe.
These are the people who invest a bit more effort into their personal appearance routine. The people you notice immediately when they walk into a room. For the sake of this conversation. I'll refer to them as being glammed up. Glammed simply means that the individual has invested a bit more time and energy into their personal presentation. You can create your own definition of what that means for you. We all know how to look our best. But, chances are, we do it ONLY when the occasion calls for it.
But there are others, who make it a habit to look amazing on a daily basis. The people I'm referring to make this a way of life. So I asked myself....why would someone do that? Does it make sense to look your absolute best each and every day?
Before I get into the reasons why it could make sense for you, let me make it clear that getting glammed up is NOT something you have to do. It's a choice. And like all choices, there are pros and cons. At first, I wondered why anyone would place that much focus on looking good. But after getting to know and observing a few people who are glammed up on a regular basis, I can understand why they chose the glammed lifestyle.
Based on my observation, looking amazing could be very advantageous. Here are a few examples:
1. DRESSING WELL BRINGS BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES. I sat in a success conference next to a guy and his girlfriend. The guy sat directly next to me and we chatted during the break over the things we had in common. He told me about his mastermind group and I shared with him ways he could achieve his intention of meditating daily. At one point he got up to make phone calls. To not seem rude, I introduced myself to his girlfriend. Let's call her Lacey. She was tall with a blonde pixie and rocked a bold red lip. Her look very similar to the image below. We started talking about why she attended the conference and what she wanted to create in her life. Within minutes of us chatting I picked up on some areas of self doubt and low confidence based on her communication and body language. Immediately, my mind switched to coaching mode. With her permission, we did some work to quickly identify the source of her resistance.
Lacey's story illustrates the nature of human behavior. We're visual creatures drawn by what we see. If you are (or want to be) in a business that involves a lot of 1 on 1 marketing/relationship building, looking your best will make it absolutely easier. Imagine....all you have to do is walk into a room and people will instantly start wondering who you are and what you do. Many will spark up conversation with you just out of pure curiosity. Attracting business leads will be a breeze.
I love to tell the story of how my friend broke into the Marketing Industry. She was working a normal job when in walks a woman who looked very different than their typical customer. My friend couldn't not let the woman leave the store without finding out more about her. Turns out this International Woman of Mystery owned her own Marketing company. They exchanged information and soon my friend entered the world of Public Relations and Marketing. From the woman's perspective. All she did was walk into a store looking her absolute best. Because of doing so, she was rewarded with an excellent hire. Honestly, if she had walked in looking like everyone else, their exchange would have been no different than any of the other customers and her business wouldn't have been positively impacted.
{Try this experiment. Go out looking a bit more put together than you would normally. Notice how people relate to you differently}
2. If you have high career aspirations, it's almost a requirement that you elevate your personal presentation. In the corporate world, you are assessed by (1) The quality of your work. (2). Your leadership potential (3) Your personal presentation. You best believe that when the higher ups talk about you behind closed doors, appearance could be a topic of conversation. Believe me. I've been a part of hundreds of talent management discussions and appearance is a factor. Think about it, you're assessed on how you present yourself on the day you were interviewed. What makes you think that it's not still happening?
I got into the workforce later than most and I had high ambitions. Because of this, I instituted the practice of planning my wardrobe for the week on Sunday. I wasn't making a lot of money so I had to get creative with my combinations. After a couple of weeks of doing so, the Director tells me, in a casual conversation, that I always dress so well. Truth was that I didn't always dress well. But after making the commitment to being intentional in my appearance, I was noticed. Over the next few years I received multiple promotions. Much of that had to do with my tireless work ethic. But, I also maintained a strict rule of never wearing jeans on casual Friday's and always out dressing my counterparts.
As I studied those women "who's bad days are considered other people's good days," the most interesting reason why one woman chose her glammed up lifestyle was to deal with her depression. 3. She understood the power of our external appearance and how it impacts our internal emotions. Plain and simple. If you look good, you'll feel even better. Case in point, several people cosigned with the arguments I made in the "paint your nails, change your life" post. If painting your nails can have that much of an impact, imagine how amazing it feels to present the best version of yourself each and every day.
In 2016, I'll be experimenting with getting fully dressed for work even when I have absolutely no where to go. My intention is to see what impact this has on my motivation levels, productivity and fearlessness. Could this simple tweak have a direct impact on my financial results? If so, I want in!
4. If you want to bring new people/new experiences into your life in 2016, getting glammed is probably the easiest way to do it. A friend of mine keeps herself on point at all times. People naturally gravitate to her. Anytime we meet up, she's always like "wanna go this event happing in a couple of hours?" Or "hey I just received a text to do this thing....wanna go with me?"
Anytime I meet with her, I have to ready for anything! There's always some get together, or networking opportunity that comes her way. One life lesson I learned from hanging out with her is that if I want to attract new people and experiences in my life, I have to dress for it! As a matter of fact, I secured my first speaking gig of the year because the opportunity came her way and I took full advantage. Perhaps in 2016, I'll be able to attract amazing experiences into my life just by making an effort to present myself as the type of person others are attracted to.
5. To feel comfortable being the center of attention. Actually, part of the reason why I choose to dress down is to avoid any unnecessary attention. Sometimes I just want to be in stealth mode, fading into the background. This notion of getting glammed goes against my desire to be completely invisible. But, I have to ask myself, "am I avoiding the discomfort of standing out in a room full of people?" "Does it make me uncomfortable knowing that I will automatically draw the attention of others simply by how I look?" If so, then I have to decide whether I want to continue holding on to this fear or if I wish to release it. Do I want to be the type of person who's just as comfortable in jeans and a tee as I am wearing my Sunday best on a Wednesday.
Again, you get to decide what glam means for you. There's no rule book. It's about looking and feeling your absolute best and enjoying the reward of doing so.
from Relaxed Hair Health http://ift.tt/1YWgdXT
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