What I'm up to...

Hi everyone
I appear to be a tad lax over this last week or two. Currently rewriting our new Style Portfolios which is taking up more than a fair chunk of my time.  Our new personal colour profiles are stunning, however the they make our Style Books look like they need an update.  Have you ever noticed that you paint one wall, the rest start to look like they need a touch up too?   Or when you buy a new outfit - it makes some of your other outfits look very past their wear-by-date. At least it's easy to toss them when you have something to gauge them by.

Now there's a strategy.  If you know it's time to sort your wardrobe out and find it hard to start, or difficult to decide what to toss - go buy a new outfit. It's sure to motivate you to clear out the much loved but too well worn. Reward yourself first, and hey presto!  Wardrobe audit done in no time at all.  Who knows, you might just feel like rewarding yourself again. :-)

WHAT IS YOUR AROMA PERSONA?

I’ve been asked many times about how one goes about choosing the right perfume.  Even though I have favorites that work for me, I don’t profess to be an expert on perfumes.  I know what I like and what I don’t like. I also know that even if I may like a perfume on someone else, quite it often it doesn't work well for me.

Just before Christmas some years ago now, I was entering David Jones Elizabeth Street store in Sydney and was met with the overpowering reek of some new perfume that was being launched. It made me sick to my stomach. Too late – I’d been sprayed with the stuff by an over-zealous attendant with a sample bottle of the heady scent with a smile larger than life. It was Dior’s Poison and for me it was unbearable. I couldn’t wait to get out of the store. I'm sure you have had occasions where a particular perfume was nauseating for you. So what is the key to perfume selection to ensure that you don't waste your money on something you can't bear to wear?

So I browsed the internet and it's just as I thought...sorry, but it’s a bit of hit and miss I'm afraid and you have to put some effort to find your ideal perfumes. 

Things to consider before buying a perfume

§      1. Think about your preference for a particular ‘family’ of perfumes e.g. Floral, Woody, Oriental, Fruity. Only you can decide what your preference is.

2. When do you want to wear it? Is it office, evening, daytime casual, special occasion...?

3. What concentration level do you prefer? Perfume, Eau de Parfum, Eau de Toilette, Cologne?Again this relates to the occasion, and your personality. I love the FAQ web page on the Which Perfume website. Check it out (and ignore the spelling errors).

http://sites.google.com/site/whichperfume/perfumefaqs 
I found the last two questions were interesting in that they addressed perfume categories and the ‘personality’ of the fragrance families.

I also loved the descriptions given to Joe Malone of London’s perfumes.

http://www.jomalone.com.au/templates/products/mpp_family.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT8020&cm_mmc=Google-_-CM_Generic-_-Cologne-_-Adcopy.  

It gets you thinking about the various families and each perfume’s story.

Perfume families

Floral fragrances are the most traditional, and also most popular family. They range from a linear scent of one flower (Yardley’s English Rose) – to a veritable bouquet of flowers (Guerlain’s Champs-Elysees).  The floral family is feminine, romantic, and suitable for any age. Nice for romantic evenings under starry nights. Sigh.  Does this sound like you?

Oriental scents are strong, often spicy, with musk and vanilla tones, warming and exotic and are created from a blend of spices, resins, and other exotic aromas. Think winter evenings by the fire. Personalities think Paloma Picasso and Salma Hayek. Also personal colouring e.g. olive skin, dark hair, dramatic appearance, strong physical features etc.  Someone who has delicate features and fair colouring would find the heavy oriental fragrances too overpowering.  Example: Guerlain's Mitsouko

Fruity fragrances are fresh, youthful and most popular in summer. They contain citrus fruits like lime, tangerine, and lemon creating refreshing aromas. These can be worn during the day for most people, perhaps evening for people with fairer complexions. I think more feminine personalities would enjoy the lightness of these fragrances. A light splash of eau de toilet in this perfume family would be refreshing and very appropriate for those engaged in active sports and gym workouts etc.

Examples: Yardley’s Strawberry and Kiwi (sweet) or DKNY (fresh, citrus).

Woody scents are earthy, sophisticated and perhaps a bit more masculine. Definitely an acquired taste. This is my favourite perfume family. Perfect for my skin and personality. Florals are much too flowery for me. I’d never wear a flowery print either – interesting.

They range from smoky to mossy and include scents such as patchouli, pine and sandalwood. Example:  Miss Dior

Green fragrances are fresh and neutral and use notes such as pine, grass, fresh leaves and herbs – these are too ‘green’ and herbal for me, even though I can grow things in the garden ha ha!  Are you a sporty individual, natural and unfussy?  If so, you might enjoy this fragrance family.  E.g. Elizabeth Arden’s Fifth Avenue.

The Concentration Levels of fragrances - from Perfume to Cologne.

Pure perfume is the very concentrated and also most expensive. It will stay on your body for long period of time. Use sparingly because of it’s high level of aromatic formulation and cost. Not appropriate for the office.

Eau de Parfum is one of the best sellers, still stays on longer than the weaker varieties, yet less expensive than perfume.

Eau de Toilette is a lighter scent, doesn’t stay on long so needs reapplying occasionally. Ideal for the office.

Cologne has the least concentration of it’s aromatic ingredients – between 2% to 5%.  As a light fragrance, it is suggested for wear in the office. But wearing lighter perfume requires more frequent application in the summer months. Evening wear colognes are mostly Oriental to enhance a warm and exotic mood.

Finding Your Signature Perfume

Part of your unique style could include a signature fragrance you wear most of the time. When you build a strong connection to a favourite perfume, it becomes part of you so that each time someone smells that fragrance it brings to mind YOU!

So many to choose from. It can be confusing to find a signature fragrance you love that suits your skin and personality, so be prepared to try sampling many to find the ‘just-right’ fragrances for you.  Most often, people discover their right fragrance quite by accident – an impulsive sniff while shopping, a magazine sample sachet, or someone’s perfume wafting over you (you’ve got to be prepared to ask them what perfume they are wearing though).

When you find one you like, spray it on a pulse point or inside your elbow then check it again in an hour or so to see if you still like it. If you still do, then buy the smallest size available until you're sure it's a scent you want to wear for a while or longer. You don’t want to buy an expensive bottle of perfume only to find it gives you a headache, or starts to smell like cat-pee after several hours.

Tip: Don't test too many perfumes in one day or you'll be overwhelmed by it all and won’t be able to distinguish one scent from another. It’s suggested that smelling ground coffee beans between sniff tests will clear your nose so you don't confuse scents.  Hmmm I know I love the smell of coffee beans even if I’m not sure about the perfumes.

In Tune With Perfume
We talk about music scores made up of ‘notes’. Did you know that perfumes are also made of a variety of ‘notes’ that come together to create that special blend we call perfume?

That’s why the perfume you wear gives out a different aroma at different times after you apply it. The smell you get on application is quite different to what you get after about 30 minutes have passed. Then it can change even more during the day. The perfume starts to evaporate and the "different notes" start to come out.

Top notes – these are what you get when you first open the bottle and stay with you for the first 5 - 30 minutes.
Middle (or heart) notes - can be smelt after 10 - 30 minutes. These notes are what balance the various blends of the perfume.  Interesting isn’t it?
Base notes -  these are the most dominant part of the perfume. These notes hold the fragrances together, last the longest and slow down the evaporation of the Top and Middle notes.

A Little On Perfume Etiquette

1. Don't spray perfume in public. Use very little or none at all if you’re going to be in a closed room meeting or working next to someone.

2. Avoid heavy scents at the office.  For a lasting effect without overpowering is to layer your fragrance by using the same scent through your bathing process: scented bubble bath, body cream, dusting powder, deodorant and finally a very light spray of cologne. Never finish with a heavy perfume when layering. 

3. Some fragrances come in perfume form, which is the strongest scent; Eau de Toilette is lighter; and cologne spray, the lightest of all. Go lighter in the day than at night. Before dousing yourself with perfume, think of people around you. You don’t want them choking for air.


My favourite perfumes
Chanel No. 5  Chanel No 19   Chanel – Allure     Chanel - Coco    Dior – Dune   White Linen - Estee Lauder    L’air du Temps – Nina Ricci
Did you know...?  The most expensive perfume in the world as listed in The Guinness Book of Records is Clive Christian No. 1
Best place to buy your Brand perfumes and skincare at terrific discounts is at www.strawberrynet.com
And finally - do you have a favourite perfume?  Share it here by adding a comment below.  Your recommendation could help someone discover a new favourite for themselves.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Impress/158241924210134?ref=ts

Wishing you a very Happy New Year - and all the success you can handle in 2011.

I hope you have had a very happy Christmas and enjoyed the holidays.  

With 2011 just a few hours away, I wanted to share something special with you.  For all the dreams and aspirations we have whether achieved or not, we first have to IMAGINE them.

'Imagine' is one word that conjures up hope, possibilities and dreams. Imagine what you could achieve in 2011 once you get clear on your goals...and the legacy you could leave others with. Imagine the dreams you have that you could realise this coming year.  Imagine what you could do for others to have them feeling and looking their best.

I wanted to share with you John Assaraf's strategies for getting what you want in 2011 and beyond.  This is definitely worth viewing.  http://johnassaraf.com/dl/happy-year-circle

Further more, I wish you a very Happy New Year and great success in 2011.

Warm regards

Evelyn

Visually Impress

Are you a presenter?  Speaker?  Speechmaker?

You’re got the content? check.

Rehearsed the delivery? check.

But is your visual presentation supporting you?

Whether you’re delivering a speech at a wedding or a keynote address at a company conference, we have a few tips on presenting yourself to ensure you don’t distract your audience with ‘visual noise’.

Let your presentation shine …NOT your nose, forehead or the parts where hair once grew.  It's hard to look confident and credible when you're glowing like a beacon.  A light dusting with translucent powder works wonders.

The Ghost that speaks...  are your features disappearing?   Remember, what has impact in the mirror, maybe bland at a distance or under certain lighting.  Eyebrows which enhance facial expression, often need greater definition; your face may require shading to look 3D.  Lipsticks on women need to be darker or brighter, and eye makeup more pronounced, especially if you're wearing glasses. 

Both genders:  wear non-reflective lenses.

I'm planning a ‘sickie’… does what you're wearing near your face suit your skin tone?  Unflattering shades will give your skin a greenish or greyish tinge.  Learn what suits you by getting professional colour advice.

Where are you?  Is your outfit merging with the stage background or wall colour?  Know in advance the colour of the background, and make sure you can be seen!  Conversely, do not let your clothing speak louder than you!  Once it's on, you can't just turn the volume down on a garment that's upstaging you.

First Impressions Image offers specific advice and training to speakers, presenters and entertainers on all aspects of their visual presentation.

www.firstimpressions.com.au

What NOT to wear at the office.

One would think that the following information would be so common sense - however I have found that common sense ain't always that common. So here are a few questions with answers to address this topic of what NOT to wear to the office...  as if you wouldn't know already! 
Q + A’s
Q1  What are your top 3 banned items of clothing for office wear?
Because this relates specifically to items of clothing – it is not possible to generalise on this question.  I will give you three items for women, and three for men. 
Women:
(1)  any item that exposes too much flesh ie midriff tops, low cut blouses/shirts, very short skirts, and anything that exposes bum-crack when seated.
(2) flip-flops and insignificant strappy sandles.
(3) very casual apparel ie  jeans/cargos, tank tops, and anything that would easily fit in with relaxed weekend activities. For some unknown reason – there are women who don’t know this, or just don’t care enough about their positions at work to care. They are either not conventionally ambitious, or ignorant of the opportunities they've lost for their career development. They don’t last long in an organisation where visual communication is as important as other mediums of communication. Men:
(1) An obvious casual shirt worn with a suit and tie
(2)  too casual a shoe ie boat shoes/or relaxed loafers
(3) silly ‘party/cartoon’ ties and socks

Q. 2  What mistakes do people often make when dressing for work? 
Generic:
(1) Over-exposure – too much flesh showing. 
(2) As above for women.  
For men: 
(1) Short sleaved shirts &/or shirts not long enough (resulting in the hanging-out look)
(2) Pants worn half-mast (somebody die?) 
(3) Open neck shirts especially when undone past the first 2 buttons..... hmmmm
(4) Wearing ‘down-market’ clothes. This certainly won't communicate to those with plenty of   ‘clout’ in the organisation that they are ambitious and want to be taken seriously.
(5) Poor grooming e.g. the daily ‘bad-hair day’ syndrome; clothing that needs attention &/or cleaning; unpolished shoes and poorly groomed nails (Women: include nasty chipped polish). 
Basically not enough attention to detail – which tells those decision-makers that this person could cut corners in other areas as well.
(6)  Men:  Obvious gold neck chains, bracelets and even facial piercings are not seen as particularly pleasing in most professional organisations.  A person can limit their career   opportunities with superfluous adornment such as these.
Q. 3  What clothing advice can you offer someone who wants to make a good impression at the office?
Whatever a person wears – or carries in business, must be appropriate for their role and industry. Business apparel should also reflect current trends. 
Note: Trends when introduced stay current over a 4-5 year time-frame. Fashion by contrast is an ‘in this year - out the next’ situation and these fashion items are useful to add ‘life’ and interest to the basic wardrobe items.

Firstly, decide on a realistic budget for your most visible professional overhead - your business wardrobe.
Buy basics like suits, jackets, pants (women: + skirts) that are very good quality – so that they last and look good wear after wear -  thus making it possible to build a wardrobe that works.
There is nothing worse than ill-fitting clothing.  If the shoulder/hip/neck areas fit well – then with minimal alteration the wearer can get the fit perfect by using a recommended tailor/alteration centre for hems, sleeves and side seams.
Add inexpensive fashion items like business tops &/or shirts in new season colours, as well as fun yet appropriate jewellery pieces (Men: incl. cuff-links) to create interest and allow for self expression.
Always ensure that hair, shoes, jewellery items and shirts or tops are impeccably maintained and up-to-date.  These support otherwise ‘aging’ business basics that are scheduled to be ‘retired’ soon.
Get assistance if unsure about what works for you – engage the services of a respected image consultant.  They are worth their weight in gold.
If you’re wondering if it is worth the cost – try this..... Add up the cost of all the clothes in your wardrobe you don’t wear (for whatever reason). NOW do you think it worth it?
Just a thought....!

                     Before                    After                      Before                 After

Ten Cool Shopping Tips

To ensure you enjoy the experience of shopping - follow these tried and true tips from shopping expert Evelyn Lundstrom.  

Keep your objectives in mind to dodge the impulsive buys

Know what you already have, what you intend to get, and know the specifications.  The specifications?  you may ask.  If you don't know them,  you need to see us.  These involve knowing exactly what suits your body shape and proportions, and your colouring - essential for smart shopping.  

Set aside the time you need

A credit card and a lunch hour are usually insufficient for making a smart purchase.  Leaving it to the last moment is like buying an umbrella on a wet day. Diarise the time needed.

Be awake, aware and alive! 

Tuck away a bottle of mineral water - dehydration dulls the brain. 

Ensure you do not have distracting and competing needs arising from hunger, tiredness or the demands of a friend or children.

Have a light meal before the excursion and wear comfortable shoes for the walking part.

Check out the store/s

Certain stores should set off warning bells almost immediately.  They will usually be inadequately lit and have few or no mirrors until you get to the change room.  It goes almost without saying that sales assistants have a target to meet and that you need to keep the purpose of your shopping excursion firmly in mind.  Tell them what you are looking for, what you need it for and your (correct) size.  If they don't listen - then leave.

Know your budget

Our advice is always to go for the best quality you can afford at the time.  A high quality, practical item which lasts and doesn't date can be more cost-effective than one which seemed a bargain at the time but gets little wear over its short life span.

Questions to ask yourself if shopping for sales items

•     would I consider buying it if it were not on sale?

•     am I compromising quality, fit or appropriateness for price?

•     will I have to spend too much on alterations to make this fit?

•     will I be able to combine it with at least two other items I own?

Be realistic about weight gain and weight loss

If you are heavier than you would like to be, forget about buying too-small sizes that will fit once you 'lose the weight'.  You could be diverting your resources to a hope rather than benefiting in the immediate, practical present.

Put function before fashion

Avoid clothing which follows the latest fashion trend unless you have the means to renew your wardrobe frequently. 

Dress for the shopping experience - or risk the 'Pretty Woman' encounter.
You will be given the service and respect your deserve when you step into a store looking well turned out. 

Oh - and take with you.....

• your colour direction reference swatch

• the shoes you need for the outfit/s you intend to buy

• your wits!

.....and wear your best supportive underwear.

On the other hand - you might simply prefer to call us and let us do all the thinking and planning for your best summer wardrobe yet.  Call us if this appeals to you.

Your Image - An Indispensable Asset

There are those who will valiantly debate the issue of personal image and it’s effect on their career advancement. “It shouldn’t matter what I look like if I can do my job" etc (Oh I’ve heard it all before).  
So I thought I’d give you a few reasons why your image is vital in the world of business.

• We tend to believe what we see. So ensure your visual style says what you want it to say
•  If you want to influence people – look like someone they’d want to listen to
•  First Impressions are lasting – reason enough?
• You’ve got to ‘sell’ yourself before you can sell anything
• Everyone needs an edge to be successful.  One way is to look outstanding
• When you look good you feel good

       So go ahead, be generous of yourself and have a resplendent 2011.

Dress for Success - not Failure!

So you do your job well. The question is, do you look like you can do the job? To achieve any business goal you need to dress up the product – and that product is YOU.  It’s your personal image, management style and visibility that make the difference to how far you get in your organisation. Are you reinforcing or undermining who you are and what you do? Your personal image is an indispensable asset when working on your career and way forward.

Next blog post:  'Your Image..An Indispensable Asset'